Canadian men end Volleyball Nations League campaign on 5-match win streak
CBC Sports | Posted: June 23, 2021 2:38 PM | Last Updated: June 23, 2021
Canada did not qualify for playoffs, but ended Serbia's bid with 5-set victory
Canada's men's volleyball squad finished out its Volleyball Nations League campaign with a 3-2 (17-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-20, 17-15) comeback victory over Serbia on Wednesday in Rmini, Italy.
The Canadians played spoiler for Serbia, preventing them from making the final four playoffs.
Serbia came out firing in their final matcn, winning the first two sets and putting the Canadians on their heels.
What was once a comfortable lead for Serbia, instead became a big-time comeback for Canada as the Canucks stormed back to win three straight sets and pick up a fifth-straight victory — the most Canada has ever won in VNL or World League competition.
Port Coquitlam, B.C., native Ryan Sclater led the way for Canada with 17 points, while captain Gordon Perrin of Creston, B.C., contributed 14 points.
WATCH | Canada picks up big comeback victory over Serbia:
Canada finishes the tournament in eighth place with 21 points and a 7-8 record.
The men's team has already qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which begins July 23. Nations League has been key preparation after a year without competition.