July 01, 2022: Team Canada reached the midway mark of its Week 3 2022 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) schedule at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary, Alberta, with a 1-3 (20-25, 14-25, 25-20, 25-22) loss to reigning world champions Serbia.

The Serbians started strong, and raced out to a two-sets-to-none lead, before Canada found its game and showed its fighting spirit extending the match with a third set victory and a close fourth. 

“I think it shows resiliency, and how much energy we can bring to it. Even if we get knocked down we can bring it back up,” said Canada’s Andrea Mitrovic of the team’s determined effort.

Kiera Van Ryk led red-and-white with 19 points, just ahead of Emily Maglio who posted a 2022 VNL personal-best 16 points.

The Canadian women’s team, now 4-6, were hungry to follow Tuesday’s win over Turkiye with another success, despite a challenging start to today’s contest. 

“We had quite a slow start, and they had a lot of answers to our questions, and we made some changes and I think we had some young players come on and they brought a lot of energy to the court and that fearlessness that we’re looking for against a top team,” said head coach Shannon Winzer who was thinking process as much as outcome post-game. “As much as that’s a loss, they’re a top side, Serbia’s very strong. They’re a tough team to play against and I thought we battled well.”

With four wins, and two games to go, Canada is one victory back of eighth-place Thailand who currently hold the last berth in the Final Round.

Next up for the Canadians is a showdown with Germany Saturday at 8 pm MT.

Earlier Friday in Alberta, the Netherlands beat Belgium 3-1 and Turkey topped Japan 3-1. Saturday, Turkey takes on USA at 2pm MT, while Serbia returns to action in a 5 pm MT contest with the Japanese.

Roster (week 3):

#13 Brie King, Surrey, BC
#12 Jennifer Cross (Captain), Scarborough, ON
#19 Emily Maglio, Coquitlam, BC
#6 Jazmine White, Oshawa, ON
#14 Hilary Howe, Calgary, AB
#11 Andrea Mitrovic, Mississauga, ON
#9  Alexa Gray, Calgary, AB
#16 Caroline Livingston, Kelowna, BC
#3  Kiera Van Ryk, Surrey, BC
#25 Sydney Grills, Vancouver, BC
#5 Julia Murmann, Toronto, ON
#8 Alicia Ogoms, Winnipeg, MB
#20 Arielle Palermo, Burlington, ON
#10 Courtney Baker, Bridgewater, NS

• Tickets: www.showpass.com

Volleyball Canada Media Contact:
Jackie Skender
jskender@volleyball.ca
Mobile: 613-794-7676

Tournament web site:
https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2022