June 04: Canada’s women’s team, for its first time in recent history, defeated Serbia, reigning World Champion team and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist.

Canada beat Serbia 3-2 (18-25, 28-26, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12) to wrap up the team’s first week of Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Antalya, Türkiye.
 
Outside hitter Hilary Howe of Calgary contributed 24 points; Alexa Gray, also from Calgary, added 23 for Canada.

More info: https://bit.ly/3WNm9U6

"Our aim was to be that team that never goes away," explains Head Coach Shannon Winzer. "We maintained our composure even when things weren’t going our way and I think we can find a lot of confidence from this game knowing we don’t have to be perfect to win games we just need to play with a sense of urgency in key moments.  Tonight was a team effort with big plays from multiple players, and a great way to finish round 1."
 
Canada is 2-2 so far in VNL, and get ready for their next leg in Hong Kong, China, beginning on June 13.
 
Results to date:
Poland v. Canada 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13)
Canada v. Thailand 0-3 (17-25, 24-26, 21-25)
Canada v. Korea 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18)
Canada v. Serbia 3-2 (18-25, 28-26, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12)

VNL 2023 is played based on the same competition formula as in 2022, featuring 16 teams per gender. A total of 104 matches per gender will be played across the preliminary and final phases, with every team playing a minimum of 12 matches.
 
For more on the competition formula:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2023/competition/formula
 
The first week of the men’s event kicks off in Ottawa, Ontario, at the Arena at TD Place on June 06. The Canadian men’s final roster is here.

Matches are featured on Volleyball World TV and in Canada at www.cbcsports.ca

VNL Women’s Roster Week 1:
 
4 - Vicky Savard, Jonquière, QC
5 - Julia Murmann, Toronto, ON
6 - Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON
7 - Layne Van Buskirk, Windsor, ON
9 - Alexa Gray, Calgary, AB
11 - Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, ON
13 - Brie King, Langley, BC
14 - Hilary Howe, Calgary, AB
15 - Shaïnah Joseph, Ottawa, ON
16 - Caroline Livingston, Kelowna, BC
17 - Kacey Jost. St. Albert, AB
18 - Kim Robitaille, Repentigny, QC
19 - Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, B.C.
21 - Avery Heppell, Langley, B.C.

Staff: 
Shannon Winzer – Head coach
Vincenzo Mallia – Assistant coach
Matt Krueger – Assistant coach
Gabriele Tortorici – Performance analyst
Kevin Valcke and Hilary Mallinger - Physiotherapists
Jennah Paron – Team Coordinator
Robert Hooper – Trainer (Strength & Conditioning) 
Roger Friesen – Mental Performance Coach

Photo: VolleyballWorld

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