Canadian women's team spiked by host Brazil in Volleyball Nations League opener
With eye on Olympic berth, squad outblocked 15-5 by world No. 3 Brazil in Rio
Canada opened Volleyball Nations League play on Tuesday night with a four-set loss to host Brazil.
The Canadian women, ranked 11th in the world, dropped the opening set 26-24, won the second 25-23, then lost the next two 26-24 and 25-12.
Canada led in attacks 55-53, and made less unforced errors (20-27), but world No. 3 Brazil dominated on the blocks (15-5).
"Playing Brazil in Brazil is tough. I thought we battled hard the first three sets," Canadian head coach Shannon Winzer told Volleyball Canada. "For a first game it was a solid performance.
"We need to clean up our serving and our block/defence, but I think we set a high standard for the competition in the first game and it's a solid start from which to build."
Canada continues group play Thursday against the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. ET.
With the Canadian team still in contention to qualify the Paris Olympics this summer, Winzer stressed the importance of VNL in the big picture.
"Earning a spot in the Olympic tournament requires the time, effort and commitment of more than just the 14 athletes selected to [our] roster," she said. "It's the effort of the athletes and staff of the program as whole."
The Dominican Republic, Serbia, Turkey, Brazil, United States and Poland booked their tickets for Paris via the 2023 Olympic qualifier, while France earned a berth as hosts.
The remaining five places are filled by selecting the top five not yet qualified teams in the FIVB world rankings at the end of the preliminary phase of VNL.
Canada has grown and progressed the last few seasons under Winzer. Last year in VNL, Canada beat world champion Serbia and five-time Olympic medallist Brazil, and took European powerhouses Italy and Poland to five sets. They upset China, a six-time Olympic medallist, in September at the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Canadian roster
- Brie O'Reilly — Langley, B.C.
- Courtney Baker — Bridgewater, N.S.
- Emily Maglio — Coquitlam, B.C.
- Jazmine White — Oshawa, Ont.
- Alicia Ogoms — Winnipeg
- Layne Van Buskirk — Windsor, Ont.
- Alexa Gray (C) — Calgary
- Hilary Johnson — Calgary
- Andrea Mitrovic — Mississauga, Ont.
- Vicky Savard — Jonquière, Que.
- Kiera Van Ryk — Surrey, B.C.
- Shainah Joseph — Ottawa
- Julia Murmann — Toronto
- Kacey Jost — St. Albert, Alta.
