June 22, 2025: Belgium battled back from the brink of a tie-break loss to beat Canada today 3-2 (22-25, 25-13, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16) on the final day of week 2 of women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

“It’s a bit upsetting, as I felt we deserved to win when you are 13-9 ahead in a tie-break,” said Canada’s head coach Giovanni Guidetti. “We have to learn how to close sets. We still have a lot to learn and improve on – we can play good volleyball, but we are not able to finish the set because we are making too many unforced errors at the end of the set.

“But I am proud of the way this team is improving as we are playing with many players that haven’t played with the (senior) National Team before and others who are learning a new role with this team.”

Belgium led in attack points (70-57) and gave away fewer points to errors (21-26). Canada earned more points from blocking (17-10) and aces (6-5).

Belgium’s star captain Britt Herbots led scoring with 31 points (which included 2 blocks and 2 aces). Hilary Johnson led Canada with 21 points (of those 5 were blocks). VNL 2025 rookie Anna Smrek followed with 19 points (including 4 blocks and 2 aces).

It was Belgium’s second win in a row and they climbed to 13th place in the current VNL standings on a 3-5 win-loss record and 9 points, leaving Canada in 15th (2-6).

Volleyball Nations League women’s week 3 is in Arlington, Texas, beginning on July 9 with Canada vs. Germany.

The Canadian men resume VNL in Chicago for their week 2 on June 25.

Week 2 Results (Istanbul, Türkiye)
Belgium v. Canada 3-2 (22-25, 25-13, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16)
Canada v. Brazil 0-3 (20-25, 23-25, 23-25)
Canada v. Türkiye 0-3 (16-25, 18-25, 24-26)
Korea v. Canada 3-2 (27-25, 25-18, 15-25, 20-25, 15-13)

Week 1 Results (Ottawa, Ontario)
Bulgaria v. Canada 2-3 (18-25, 12-25, 25-23, 25-19, 4-15)
Canada v. Netherlands 1-3 (18-25, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25)
Canada v. Japan 0-3 (24-26, 20-25, 19-25)
Canada v. Serbia 3-2 (20-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-12)

All teams are vying for a spot in the quarterfinals (top 8): https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/standings/women/

Canada's Roster:
Averie Allard, Winnipeg, MB
Quinn Pelland, Wanham, AB
Anna Smrek, Welland, ON
Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, BC
Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON (captain)
Jessica Andrews, Guelph, ON
Nyadholi Thokbuom, Calgary, AB
Abagayle Guezen, Sherwood Park, AB
Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, ON
Hilary Johnson, Calgary, AB
Lucy Borowski, Vancouver, BC
Raya Surinx, Winnipeg, MB
Delaney Watson, St. Jacobs, ON
Kacey Jost, St. Albert, AB
Katerina Georgiadis, Scarborough, ON

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