June 06: In front of a home crowd in Ottawa at the Arena at TD Place, Canada fell to Argentina on Thursday in Volleyball Nations League week 2 play in four sets 1-3 (18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 20-25).

Opposite Arthur Szwarc was Canada’s top scorer with 14 points, equaled by the winning side’s Luciano Palonsky (14 points).

Tuomas Sammelvuo, Canada's head coach, said: "We didn’t play good volleyball, very simply. Technically and tactically, we didn’t show up well for the match tonight. Argentina is a completely different team than Cuba (which Canada beat on Tuesday night). They have a very high-speed offense. Basically, we just must play better volleyball."

Canada led in attack points – 53-51. Argentina led in blocking 11-6, and serves 5-2 and Canada made more errors (30-23).

Canada has qualified for Paris 2024, while Argentina is still aiming for a spot in the Games via the World Rankings. Canada plays USA on Saturday, followed by Serbia on Sunday.

Canada’s matches in Ottawa
Tue., June 4 - 8:00 pm EDT CAN vs. CUB (3-1)
Thu., June 6 - 8:00 pm EDT CAN vs. ARG (1-3)
Sat., June 8 - 4:30 pm EDT CAN vs. USA
Sun., June 9 - 6:00 pm EDT CAN vs. SRB

Tickets (which include all matches that day) are still available:
https://www.tdplace.ca/event/volleyball-nations-league/

Please note, due to high demand on Saturday June 8, there are limited seating options.

Matches can be viewed at www.cbcsports.ca or VBTV. VNL Week 2 (Ottawa)
Luke Herr – Winnipeg, MB
Brett Walsh – Calgary, AB
Ryley Barnes – Edmonton, AB
Nicholas Hoag – Sherbrooke, QC
Eric Loeppky – Steinbach, MB
Stephen Maar – Aurora, ON 
Brodie Hofer – Langley, BC
Pearson Eshenko – Banff, AB
Fynn McCarthy – Lake Country, BC
Danny Demyanenko – Toronto, ON
Lucas Van Berkel – Edmonton, AB
Xander Ketrzynski – Toronto, ON
Arthur Szwarc – Toronto, ON
Justin Lui – Pickering, ON
Reserves:
Jordan Schnitzer – Surrey, BC
Landon Currie – Coldstream, BC

Staff:
Head coach: Tuomas Sammelvuo
Assistant coach: Joao Paolo Bravo
Assistant coach: Michael Hawkins
Strength and conditioning: Michael Cook
Performance analyst: Damian Musiak
Athletic therapist: Schad Richea
Chiropractor: Abe Avender
Team manager: Cassandra Nicol
Director, high performance: Julien Boucher 

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