July 20, 2025: Canada ended Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s preliminary round on a high note beating Ukraine today in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Final score: 1-3 (21-25, 27-25, 29-31, 21-25).
Against Ukraine, Canada led in attack points (64-61), blocking points (9-6), and aces (6-4), but errors were equal at 27 for each team.
“I was very impressed with the group today – the entire team stayed focused for a very important match that finishes this VNL campaign for Canada,” said Canada’s head coach Dan Lewis.
“I’m proud of the way the guys executed today. Many new players were on the court, who have been patient and working very hard and are always ready to contribute at any moment. … I feel they made the volleyball community in Canada proud today and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to train this group and for the character they showed today. We’re looking forward to our next section of training that allows us to prepare for the World Championships.”
Canada’s Skyler Varga led all scoring in today’s match with 27 points (24 attacks, 2 blocks and an ace), followed by teammates Jordan Canham (14 points) and Jesse Elser (12 points).
Canada dashed the Ukrainian team’s hopes of making the playoffs as Ukraine needed a win to advance.
Elser said in the post-match interview on VBTV: “Everyone contributed this entire tournament and it’s great to end on a win. … If we play our system and impose our system on other teams, we’re going to be a hard team to beat. Not saying will win every game, but we’ll be hard to beat.”
Currently at 12th, Canada will not make the finals but has a respectable five wins and 17 points in VNL 2025 with a relatively young squad of players preparing for the Men’s World Championship coming up in September.
The top ranked teams (seven and host China) will play in the quarterfinals in Ningbo, China.
Link to standings: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/standings/men/
VNL week three 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
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
20 – Jordan Canham – Opposite – Avonmore, ON
21 – Jackson Howe – Middle Blocker – Calgary, AB
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 3 Results (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Slovenia v. Canada 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21)
Netherlands v. Canada 0-3 (22-25, 20-25, 15-25)
Serbia v. Canada 3-1 (15-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-22)
Ukraine v. Canada 1-3 (21-25, 27-25, 29-31, 21-25)
Week 2 Results (Chicago, USA)
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)
China v. Canada 0-3 (23-25, 20-25, 23-25)
Week 1 Results (Quebec City, Canada)
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/
Media Contact
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676