JUNE 06, 2026: Canada defeated France in front of 10,500 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) fans at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Quebec, on Saturday.

Canada rebounded after a first-set loss to win 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-19, 28-26).

The crowd was a North American attendance record for women’s VNL. This after a women’s world attendance record was set in Nanjing, China, of 17,816 fans during the match between the host country and Serbia, also today.

The Canada-France match did not disappoint those who attended, going into extra points in the fourth set. Top scorer for Canada was Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, BC, with 21 (19 kills, 2 blocks).

Middle blocker Nyadholi "Dholi" Thokbuom was named “player of the match” and earned three of Canada’s total (13) blocking points, in addition to six attack points and an ace.

“It felt really good - coming off the win with USA I think it was important to have the energy from the crowd again and they came and did just that, so it was great,” said Thokbuom, who is from Calgary. “Personally, coming off some not-so-great matches for me, it was great to feel the support from not only my team and the coaches, and everyone behind us, but it was really special to know there is room for error, and knowing that you can bounce back.”

Canada dropped the first match of week one to Germany (1-3), then had a decisive, historic 3-0 win over USA on Thursday. Tomorrow, the home team faces Japan to wrap up this opening week of VNL in Quebec.

Week 1 Roster (Quebec City)
Emily Maglio (C), Coquitlam, BC
Brie Fransen, Langley, BC
Courtney Baker, Bridgewater, NS
Alexa Gray, Calgary, AB
Hilary Johnson, Calgary, AB
Andrea Mitrovic, Etobicoke, ON
Abby Guezen, Sherwood Park, AB
Kiera Van Ryk, Surrey, BC
Anna Smrek, Welland, ON
Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON
Nyadholi (Dholi) Thokbuom, Calgary, AB
Jessica Andrews, Guelph, ON
Kacey Jost, St. Albert, AB
Kat Georgiadis, Toronto, ON
Olivia Andulajevic, Victoria, BC

Staff:
Head Coach: Giovanni Guidetti
Assistant Coach: Vincenzo Mallia
Assistant Coach: Carolyn O’Dwyer
Assistant Coach: TJ Sanders
Scout/Analyst: Fatih Yagci
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Giovanni Miale
Lead Physiotherapist: Kevin Valcke
Physiotherapist: Sandy Heming
Team Lead: Kelvin Ma
High Performance Director: Shannon Winzer

Tournament website: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league

VNL Quebec is proudly presented by Desjardins.

Photo: Volleyball World

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