Canada falls to Poland at VNL

May 23, 2024.- Canada’s men’s team showed up with a strong start, but couldn’t hold off the world-ranked number-one team of Poland at Volleyball Nations League 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye, today.

The final score was Canada 1, Poland 3 (25-18, 20-25, 23-25, 21-25).

Poland led in attack points 58-54, blocks 5-4, and services aces 8-5. Canada earned more points from Poland’s errors 26-22.

"We came out guns blazing, and then we were playing a little too safe," Team Canada’s Stephen Maar told VBTV in a post-match interview. "We have everything we need to win and compete in these games, and at the end of the day we must take the opportunities that we have. … This team was able to make huge steps as a team last year (in qualifying for the Olympics), so we have the ability to learn what it is to play and win against these great teams."

Polish outside hitter Bartosz Bednorz was match top scorer with 19 points; Eric Loeppky was Canada’s top scorer today with 15 points.

Canada, ranked 12th, is already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics after the team’s second-place performance in the Olympic Qualifier pool last year.

Canada is now 1-1, and its next match is against Bulgaria on Friday.