Photo: FIVB

Canada hung on for the win over Japan 3-2 (25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13) today to successfully conclude its Volleyball Nations League weekend in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Canada won all three matches – 3-1 over China on Friday and against the host country 3-1 Saturday night – this weekend, and are looking ahead to next week in Brazil where the competition (Brazil, Italy and France) will be even more of a challenge.

“We wanted to come here and compete,” said Nicholas Hoag, who had 20 of Canada’s points today. “We wanted to get at least two victories out of three. The game against the United States was a very, very good game; probably our best of the weekend. That was a huge three points against a good team. Coming out with three victories is even better than expected.”

Stephen Maar was top scorer for Canada with 21, while Yuki Ishikawa contributed 20 for Japan. Middle blocker Graham Vigrass was also a factor for Canada with 19 points, including four aces.

“I was happy with the team again. We started a couple other guys and they did a really good job…. It’s the first time we won three matches in one weekend (this year) so I’m really satisfied,” said Canada’s head coach Glenn Hoag. “Now we travel to Brazil for another big weekend. We’re improving in certain aspects of our game. Although we’re maybe physically not all that fresh, I think we’re working on things that are going to benefit us in the future.”

The following athletes represented Canada June 21 to 23, 2019:

TJ Sanders, London, ON
Gordon Perrin, Creston, BC (captain)
Steven Marshall, Abbotsford, BC
Nicholas Hoag, Sherbrooke, QC
Stephen Maar, Aurora, ON
Jason DeRocco, Winnipeg, MB
Sharone Vernon-Evans, Scarborough, ON
Daniel Jansen Vandoorn, Langley, BC
Lucas Van Berkel, Edmonton, AB
Ryan Sclater, Port Coquitlam, BC
Graham Vigrass, Calgary, AB
Blair Bann, Edmonton, AB
Arthur Szwarc, Toronto, ON
Brett Walsh, Calgary, AB

Canadian results so far:

VNL USA (June 21 to 23)
CAN def. CHN 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17)
CAN def. USA 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17)
CAN def.JPN 3-2 (25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13)

VNL Iran (June 14 to 16)
IRI def. CAN 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-16)
RUS def .CAN 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23)
POL def. CAN 3-1 (25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 28-26)

VNL Ottawa (June 07 to 09)
CAN def. AUS 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-18)
CAN def. GER 3-2 (23-25, 29-27, 25-18, 23-25, 15-12)
SRB def. CAN 3-2 (25-17, 24-26, 25-21, 26-28,15-12)

VNL Argentina (May 31 to June 02)
BUL def. CAN 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 19-25, 25-17)
CAN def. POR 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16)
CAN def ARG 3-1 (25-21, 29-27,16-25, 26-24).