June 14, 2025: Fans in Quebec’s capital showed up in force to support Canada at the Centre Videotron as the home team faced France in men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) action.
More than 12,030 were in attendance to see Canada go to a tie-break, but ultimately fall to France 2-3 (22-25, 27-29, 29-27, 25-2, 6-15).
The fan count is the largest audience the Canadian senior team has entertained on home soil, and is a VNL North American record.
In the match today, Brodie Hofer and Xander Wassenaar Ketrzynski led scoring for Canada with 15 apiece. France’s captain Trevor Clevenot, part of the Paris 2024 gold medal winning team, led all scoring with 24 points.
“We let the game slip away from us, I think, we played well and maintained a pretty good level, but I don’t think this is anywhere near our maximum capabilities….. We played a pretty good solid base level but that’s not good enough against France,” said Canada’s captain Fynn McCarthy.
“(Trevor) Clevenot kind of ran away with it in the end and he’s a really good player, so credit to him, but we should be doing a better job against his service pressure … I’m proud of the guys. Lots of our guys have never played in front of crowd like that so it was amazing.”
France, who won VNL last year, led overall in attack points (72-67), blocks (8-4) and made a couple fewer errors. Canada led in aces 5-2.
Canada’s head coach Dan Lewis said: “I’m extremely proud of the guys, they never quit and they are growing with every game. We needed a good start in the fifth and to make better choices. But it’s great that we’re learning to execute at a higher level on a regular basis. I’m super proud.”
Team Canada faces Bulgaria in its final match of VNL week 1 at 6 pm ET.
The Volleyball Nations League introduced a new format in 2025 with 18 men’s and 18 women’s teams. Each team will play 12 preliminary phase matches over three weeks, with weekly pools of six teams competing across three venues.
VNL Week One Roster (Men)
1 – Daenan Gyimah – Middle Blocker – Scarborough, ON
2 – Luke Herr – Setter – Winnipeg, MB
3 – Jesse Elser – Outside Hitter – Calgary, AB
5 – Brodie Hofer – Outside Hitter – Langley, BC
8 – Mason Greves – Setter – Calgary, AB
9 – Matthew Neaves – Opposite – Calgary, AB
10 – Ryan Sclater – Opposite – Port Coquitlam, BC
11 – Xander Ketrzynski – Opposite – Toronto, ON
13 – Max Elgert – Setter – Edmonton, AB
15 – Jackson Young – Outside Hitter – Toronto, ON
16 – Jordan Schnitzer – Middle Blocker – Surrey, BC
18 – Justin Lui – Libero – Pickering, ON
22 – Isaac Heslinga – Outside Hitter – Orangeville, ON
26 – Cory Schoenherr – Middle Blocker – Waterloo, ON
33 – Fynn McCarthy – Middle Blocker – Lake Country, BC (Captain)
97 – Landon Currie – Libero – Coldstream, BC
99 – Skyler Varga – Outside Hitter – Muenster, SK
- Link for tickets.
Global tournament web site: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/
Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676