June 28, 2025: In a dramatic finish, Poland pulled off a comeback reverse sweep to beat Canada 3-2 (30-32, 14-25, 25-17, 25-23, 15-13) in Chicago on Friday night.
It was, however, an important breakthrough for this young Canadian squad to win two sets against the number-one in team in the men’s world rankings.
“I am incredibly proud of the focus, dedication and detail to assignment in terms of what the team needed to be able to compete tonight,” Canada’s head coach Dan Lewis said.
“I know in my soul that this team needs to continue to give itself opportunities to compete at the highest level and within a short amount of time, we will have impressive showings. … This week has been from a very difficult start to an incredible moment tonight for this group tonight. Now we have to rest and recover (for Sunday’s match with China).”
Canada set the tone of the match forcing the first set into extra points, then dominated set two. Poland, however, recovered and was able to force the tie-break, which was an exciting contest until the final point. Pressure from the service line led to Canada’s 11 aces (compared with six on the Polish side)
Canadian opposite Xander Ketrzynski was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points and outside hitter Brodie Hofer added 18 (15 kills, two aces, one block).
Polish outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk led the team against Canada – 20 points (17 kills, two aces, one block).
Poland plays USA tonight; while Canada has today off and faces China at 13:30 EDT on Sunday.
Link to standings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/standings/men/
VNL week two 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
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
33 – Fynn McCarthy – Middle Blocker – Lake Country, BC (Captain)
97 – Landon Currie – Libero – Coldstream, BC
99 – Skyler Varga – Outside Hitter – Muenster, SK
Week 2 Results (Chicago)
Canada v Brazil 0-3 (22-25, 17-25, 17-25)
Canada v. USA 0-3 (23-25, 22-25, 28-30).
Poland v. Canada 3-2 (30-32, 14-25, 25-17, 25-23, 15-13)
Week 1 Results (Quebec)
Germany v. Canada 2-3 (25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 11-15)
Argentina v. Canada 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 25-22, 15-8)
Canada v. France 2-3 (22-25, 27-29, 29-27, 25-21, 6-15)
Bulgaria v. Canada 0-3 (24-26, 23-25, 19-25)
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