Canada's women's volleyball team pushed reigning champion Italy to the brink but ultimately fell 3-2 in a Volleyball Nations League (VNL) preliminary round match on Saturday. The narrow loss, however, virtually guarantees Canada a spot in the VNL finals for the first time in program history.
Match Details
Playing in front of a raucous crowd in Rimini, Italy, the Canadian squad took the first set 25-23 before dropping the next two 25-20 and 25-22. They rallied to win the fourth 25-21, but Italy sealed the victory 15-12 in the decisive fifth set.
Outside hitter Kiera Van Ryk led Canada with 23 points, including 19 kills, two blocks, and two aces. Middle blocker Emily Maglio added 16 points, while setter Brie O'Reilly directed the offense with 48 assists.
Path to Finals
With the result, Canada sits in sixth place in the VNL standings with a 7-4 record and 21 points. The top eight teams after the preliminary round advance to the finals in Bangkok, Thailand, from July 20-24. Canada needs only a single win in its remaining two matches against Germany and the Netherlands to secure its berth.
"We showed we can compete with the best in the world," said Canada head coach Shannon Winzer. "The growth of this team has been tremendous, and we're excited for the opportunity ahead."
Italy's Dominance
Italy, the defending VNL champion and world No. 1, improved to 10-1 with the win. Star opposite Paola Egonu tallied 29 points for Italy, including 26 kills. Despite the loss, Canada's performance signaled a rising threat in women's volleyball.
"Canada is a very strong team with a lot of talent," said Italy head coach Davide Mazzanti. "They pushed us to our limits, and we had to fight for every point."
Historic Implications
A finals appearance would mark a milestone for Canadian women's volleyball, which has never qualified for the VNL final round since the tournament's inception in 2018. The team has steadily improved under Winzer, who took over in 2022, and now boasts a roster with depth and international experience.
Canada's remaining pool play matches are set for Monday against Germany and Tuesday against the Netherlands. Both games are winnable, with Germany at 4-7 and the Netherlands at 5-6.
