July 09, 2023: Canada won a high-pressure contest that helped decide if the team would maintain a spot in Volleyball Nations League next year, with a composed victory over China, on Sunday in Pasay City, Philippines.
 
Although China took the first set, Canada’s efficiency won the day, to rebound and close the match in four sets: 1-3 (25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 18-25).

"It’s a very, very important victory for our whole program to stay in the VNL," said Tuomas Sammelvuo, who is in his first year at Canada’s head coach.
 
“We played well today. We were able to control China’s attack very well even though #22 (Jingyin Zhang) was very strong and was scoring a lot. We were patient, and our players handled the pressure very well. Our attack was very efficient today; we made few mistakes and stayed in the game plan. I am proud of all the players – we deserve a little break now.  We have a lot of work to do, but now we will take a well-deserved rest for a bit."
 
Canada led in attack points (55-50), blocks (9-4) and gained more points from China’s errors (29-21). China had one more service ace than the North Americans (6-5).
 
Chinese outside hitter Jingyin Zhang led all scoring with 25 points; Stephen Maar and Ryan Sclater led Canada with 20 points each.
 
Outside hitter Maar told VBTV in the post-match interview: “There are a lot of emotions; it’s young team and we’re trying to build something here…  And being part of the old cycle was something special (for me). This was a big moment for us to come together in pressure-filled situation to stay in VNL and really build something; I am really proud of the group today. It’s moments like this that inspire and make me want to keep going.”
 
Canada wraps up VNL with three wins, nine points, and avoids relegation from the tournament. The last-place finishing team (yet to be decided) among the “challenger” group will be bumped from the tournament and will have to earn its way back.
 
Standings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/standings/men/
 
There are still matches left to play today (in Anaheim, U.S.) in the men’s VNL preliminary phase, with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals in Gdansk, Poland, later this month.
 
Canada’s women’s team previously secured its spot in VNL 2024, finishing a team-best 10th overall with six wins this year.

Full schedule is here:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/schedule/
 
Canada’s week 3 men’s roster:
1 – Pearson Eshenko, Banff, AB
2 – Luke Herr, Winnipeg, MB
4 – Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke, QC
5 – Brodie Hofer, Langley, BC
6 – Danny Demyanenko, Toronto, ON
7 – Stephen Maar, Aurora, ON
8 – Brett Walsh, Calgary, AB
10 – Ryan Sclater, Port Coquitlam, BC
12 – Lucas Van Berkel, Edmonton, AB
13 – Samuel Cooper, Hamilton, ON
14 – Arthur Szwarc. Toronto, ON
18 – Justin Lui, Pickering, ON
97 – Landon Currie, Vernon, BC
99 – Mathias Elser, Calgary, AB

Results week 3:
CAN – NED 1-3  (22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 18-25)
ITA – CAN 2-3 (14-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 9-15). 
POL - CAN 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 27-25).
CHN – CAN 1-3  (25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 18-25)
 
Results week 2:
JPN - CAN 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-14)
SLO - CAN 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-14)
CAN - BUL 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20)
CAN - FRA 0-3 (17-25, 21-25, 21-25)

Results week 1 
CAN - CUB 3-2 (25-21, 26-28, 25-21, 22-25,15-13)
CAN - ARG 1-3 (21-25, 25-21, 21-25,16-25)
CAN - USA  0-3 (22-25, 20-25, 20-25)
CAN - GER 1-3  (25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 21-25)

Photo: VolleyballWorld

U21 World Men's Championship
 
Also today, Canada’s U21 men’s team earned its first win of the tournament after losses to Bulgaria and Poland. Canada beat India 3-1 in Bahrain on Sunday. 

More information on this tournament can be found here: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/men-u21-world-championship-2023/

Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676