Sept. 20, 2025: Canada was eliminated today from the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship by world number-one ranked Poland in a 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-14) loss in Pasay City, Philippines.

"Poland was a difficult opponent, the best team in the world at the moment, and we knew it would take our best coordinated effort to beat them. Although we didn’t win, I think that we have to understand that we grew quite a bit during the match and especially at the event with a good mix of older and young athletes. Our effort and determination to execute well and compete at the highest level is really important," explained head coach Dan Lewis.

"Now is the time to take a moment and reflect on what it will take to make that last step to the highest level. And that’s the goal we will all be working toward. There were so many athletes and staff who contributed to this summer’s program… . As far as this match goes, I’m just happy and proud of how the guys fought until the last point, they never gave up and fought to the end."

Canada led in attack points (52-48), and Poland in aces (5-2) and blocking (10-7 points). A difference maker was in errors: Canada’s 35 to Poland’s 16.

Canadian opposite Sharone Vernon-Evans topped the scoring chart with 23 points. Polish outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk led his team with 18 points.

"In my mind was just to challenge as hard as I can and keep fighting and I think the team was did that as well," Vernon-Evans told VBTV in the post-match interview. "This is the benchmark of where we want to be and we just have to keep playing."

Poland now plays Türkiye in the quarterfinals. The tournament runs until Sept. 28.

Tournament website: 
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/men-world-championship

Matches are live on VBTV and CBC Sports (in Canada)
 
Team Canada
Landon Currie, Coldstream, BC
Max Elgert, Athabasca, AB
Jesse Elser, Calgary, AB
Daenan (Kofi) Gyimah, Scarborough, ON
Luke Herr, Winnipeg, MB
Isaac Heslinga, Orangeville, ON
Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke, QC (captain)
Jackson Howe, Calgary, AB
Xander Ketrzynski, Toronto, ON
Justin Lui, Pickering, ON
Fynn McCarthy, Lake Country, BC
Jordan Schnitzer, Surrey, BC
Sharone Vernon-Evans, Scarborough, ON
Jackson Young, Toronto, ON

Staff
Head Coach: Dan Lewis
Assistant Coach: João Paulo Bravo
Statistician: Lionel Bonnaure
Strength & Conditioning: Michael Cook
Athletic Therapist: Schad Richea
Chiropractor: Rémi Ouellette
Team Manager: Cassandra Nicol
High-Performance Director: Julien Boucher

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