Team Canada has finished off the preliminary round of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League with a victory. On Saturday in Manila, Philippines, Canada defeated the Netherlands in five sets, 21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 14-25, 15-9. Team Canada won the match despite being outscored 107-103.
Two Canadian outside hitters reached double digits in points. Stephen Maar of Aurora, Ontario led Canada with 18 points (15 attack points, two block points, and one ace). Meanwhile, Eric Loeppky of Steinbach, Manitoba had 14 points (12 attack point, one block point, and one ace). Middle blocker Lucas Van Berkel of Edmonton, Alberta, and opposite Athur Szwarc of Toronto, Ontario led Canada with three block points each. Outside hitter Brodie Hofer of Langley, British Columbia led Canada with two aces.
Canada is now at eight wins and four losses in the Preliminary Round standings. They guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals of the Volleyball Nations League Final Round on either Thursday or Friday from Lodz, Poland. Other countries that have guaranteed a spot so far are Slovenia, Italy, Japan, and France. Poland automatically qualified as the host.
The Canadians had an extremely success week in southeast Asia. In addition to beating the Netherlands, they beat Brazil, Japan, and Germany. The win over Netherlands will give Canada confidence as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
