June 15, 2025: Canada wrapped up week one of Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 with a shutout 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-19) of Bulgaria in their final match at the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec.

The first set was tight, requiring an extra point to end the frame. But after that, Canada appeared to improve each set to close out the game in three sets and end week one with a 2-2 record. Heading into the break before week two, Canada sits ranked sixth. 

"We kept our errors low and they made a lot of mistakes (14-24)," head coach Dan Lewis said after the match. "Especially in the second in that really crucial moment. I think we had one or two errors; they had like nine. In the past, with (former coach) Glenn (Hoag) we learned a lot of lessons and that was one of them. Near the end of the tournament week, everyone's fatigued, you've got to make them play. My only message to the guys today was, other than a few game plan things, if Bulgaria makes a point, they need to earn that point.

"These guys are playing at an international level and they have to accept the challenge of that; to not just survive, but thrive…. We need to focus on our growth.”

Brodie Hofer led the game in points with 21, with an impressive 17 coming off the attack and sporting a strong 34.15 efficiency percentage. The Langley, B.C. native sits fourth in the tournament in points (69) and tied for second in attack points (62). Team veteran Ryan Sclater was the closest to Hofer with 12 points, followed by Daenan Gyimah with seven (including four blocking points out of Canada’s total 11).

“We're a good team and we can play with any team in the world,” Hofer said was his biggest takeaway from the win. “We have lots of things to improve on, but our level is there. We just have to keep getting better every day.”

Canada will now have 10 days off before they head to Chicago, Illinois for week two of VNL 2025. They will kick off the second leg of the tournament against Brazil on June 25 at 5:00 pm ET before facing off against host USA, top-ranked Poland, and China later in the week.

Week 1 Results (Quebec)
Germany v. Canada 2-3 (25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 11-15)
Argentina v. Canada 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 25-22, 15-8)
Canada v. France 2-3 (22-25, 27-29, 29-27, 25-21, 6-15)
Bulgaria v. Canada 0-3 (24-26, 23-25, 19-25)

VNL Week One Roster (Men)
1 - Daenan Gyimah – Middle Blocker – Scarborough, ON
2 - Luke Herr – Setter – Winnipeg, MB
3 - Jesse Elser – Outside Hitter – Calgary, AB
5 - Brodie Hofer – Outside Hitter – Langley, BC
8 - Mason Greves – Setter – Calgary, AB
9 - Matthew Neaves – Opposite – Calgary, AB
10 - Ryan Sclater – Opposite – Port Coquitlam, BC
11 - Xander Ketrzynski – Opposite – Toronto, ON
13 - Max Elgert – Setter – Edmonton, AB
15 - Jackson Young – Outside Hitter – Toronto, ON
16 - Jordan Schnitzer – Middle Blocker – Surrey, BC
18 - Justin Lui – Libero – Pickering, ON
22 - Isaac Heslinga – Outside Hitter – Orangeville, ON
26 - Cory Schoenherr – Middle Blocker – Waterloo, ON
33 - Fynn McCarthy – Middle Blocker – Lake Country, BC (Captain)
97 - Landon Currie – Libero – Coldstream, BC
99 - Skyler Varga – Outside Hitter – Muenster, SK

Global tournament web site:  https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/

Note: Volleyball Canada is hosting two friendly matches featuring Team Canada against the Italian National Team in Gatineau, Quebec! More info here on the June 20 & 21 games.

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