Team Canada has returned to the .500 mark in the Volleyball Women’s Nations League. On Thursday, Canada defeated Belgium 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22 in four sets from Quezon City, Philippines to improve to a record of three wins and three losses.
Alexa Gray of Lethbridge, Alberta led the Canadian attack with 24 points. Three more Canadian players reached double digits in points. Kiera Van Ryk of New Westminster, British Columbia had 22 points, Hilary Howe of Calgary, Alberta had 14 points, and Emily Maglio of Cranbrook, British Columbia had 12 points.
Gray led Canada with 23 points off the attack. Maglio led Canada with four points off of blocks, and Van Ryk led Canada with two aces.
If there is one area where Canada could make some improvements, it is with their overall consistency. They had a chance to sweep Belgium on Thursday, but was unable to win the third set.
Friday’s test in the Philippines could be a tough one for Canada. The Canadians are playing China (4-1), who have won three gold medals in women’s volleyball in the history of the Olympic Games. They placed first at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. That said, Canada beat China 25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 15-25, 15-12 in the 2021 Volleyball Women’s Nations League. The loss for China was a key reason why they could not make the final round.