Huge victory of Canada over Brazil

VARNA, Bulgaria, June 15, 2018 - An inspired Gavin Schmitt led a heroic Canada to a monumental upset victory over world number one Brazil in a spectacular start to phase four of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Friday.

Schmitt had a team-high 16 spikes from 21 attempts to guide Canada to a historic 3-0 (25-22, 34-32, 25-23) triumph to shell shock the Olympic champions. 

Nicholas Hoag was also instrumental with 15 points, while Stephen Timothy Marr (9 points) made a slew of clutch plays late in the third set to help Canada produce the boil over. 

Brazil was uncharacteristically ragged as evidenced by opposite striker Wallace De Souza who scored a game-high 19 points through flashes of brilliance but also made some key errors. 

It was just the fifth time Canada has beaten Brazil at the world level from 27 attempts and ended a run of eight straight defeats. Canada have improved their record to 6-4, while it was a costly defeat for Brazil who lost for just the second time in the VNL after coming into the fourth phase tied on eight wins with Poland.