June 4, 2025: Canada opened Volleyball Nations League 2025 on home soil at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario with a thrilling five-set, 3-2 (25-18, 25-12, 23-25, 19-25, 15-4) win over Bulgaria.

Team Canada came out of the gate strong, winning the first two sets, but Bulgaria pushed right back, forcing the fifth set. But Canada closed out with dominance in the final frame, holding Bulgaria to just four points.

"I'm pleased because today I saw a great reaction," Canada’s head coach Giovanni Guidetti said after the match.

"The result is not important. I'm happy to win, of course, but I want to see a team that is fighting... When I start to see the team that falls for every ball and they attack with courage and aggressivity in the important moments, then that makes me happy."

Captain Kiera Van Ryk led both teams in points with 25, 19 of which coming off the attack. Hilary Johnson wasn’t far behind with 18 points and a match-leading 30.61% efficiency.

One of the first-time athletes on the VNL stage, middle blocker Nyadholi Thokbuom, had 12 points in her debut.

“(I was) very nervous. I think the whole first set I was shaking in my shoes,” Thokbuom said after the match. "But the girls were really supportive. They made it feel like just another game…. We've been playing this game for a long time and it's just another gym. It's just another tournament. So, it was good."

Canada’s next match is against Netherlands on June 5 at the Arena at TD Place.

The Volleyball Nations League introduced a new format in 2025 with 18 men’s and 18 women’s teams. Each team will play 12 preliminary phase matches over three weeks, with weekly pools of six teams competing across three venues.

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:
Brie O'Reilly, Langley, BC
Quinn Pelland, Wanham, AB
Anna Smrek, Welland, ON
Kiera Van Ryk, Surrey, BC
Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, BC
Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON
Jessica Andrews, Guelph, ON
Nyadholi Thokbuom, Calgary, AB
Abby 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
Julia Murmann, Toronto, ON
Kacey Jost, St. Albert, AB

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