Heartbreak in the VNL: Canada’s Women’s Volleyball Team Edged Out 3-2 in Thrilling Battle with Belgium…Read More…
In a nail-biting encounter at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the Canadian women’s national volleyball team suffered a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat to Belgium, dashing hopes of securing crucial momentum as the tournament heats up. The five-set thriller kept fans on the edge of their seats with both teams displaying flashes of brilliance, resilience, and tactical prowess, but it was the Belgians who emerged victorious in the end.
Opening Volley: Canada Takes Charge
Canada began the match with confidence, showing early dominance at the net and fluidity in transition. The opening set was a showcase of power hitting and strategic defense. Led by team captain Alexa Gray, who delivered several thunderous spikes, the Canadians set the pace early, winning the first set 25-19. With sharp service pressure and tight blocks from middle blockers Jennifer Cross and Emily Maglio, Canada looked poised to control the match.
Setter Brie King orchestrated a balanced offense, keeping Belgium’s defense guessing and feeding attackers from both pins and the middle. The Canadians’ energy was high, and their communication on the court was crisp, silencing early Belgian efforts to claw their way in.
Belgium Strikes Back
Belgium, however, refused to fold. Led by superstar outside hitter Britt Herbots, the Belgians stormed back in the second set with an aggressive serve-and-attack strategy. Herbots found her rhythm, scoring from all angles of the court and putting constant pressure on Canada’s back row defense. Setter Celine Van Gestel adjusted her distribution, involving middle blocker Marlies Janssens more frequently, which paid dividends.
The second set was tightly contested, but Belgium’s serving runs tilted the balance. Canada struggled to handle float serves down the seams, leading to some shaky receptions. Belgium capitalized on the brief lapse, closing the set 25-22 and evening the match 1-1.
Momentum Swings Again
The third set saw Canada regroup, with coach Shannon Winzer urging her players to reset and stay mentally sharp. The result was a return to form. Kiera Van Ryk, Canada’s star opposite, stepped up her offensive game, delivering a barrage of unstoppable attacks that Belgium had difficulty defending. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes, a key defensive pillar, stabilized serve receive and made several spectacular digs that ignited the Canadian bench.
With Canada firing on all cylinders again, they took the third set 25-18, regaining the upper hand and sending a message that they were not going down without a fight.
The Belgian Comeback
But as had been the case all match, momentum shifted once more. Belgium returned in the fourth set with renewed vigor. Herbots continued her offensive assault, supported by outside hitter Silke Van Avermaet, who chipped in with key points during crunch time. Belgium also began targeting Van Ryk with serves, attempting to tire her out and reduce her offensive impact.
Canada showed signs of fatigue and started making unforced errors—net touches, missed serves, and miscommunication in transition. Belgium exploited the disarray, surging to a 25-21 fourth set win that forced a decisive fifth set.
A Heart-Stopping Finish
The fifth set was a microcosm of the entire match: tense, intense, and fiercely contested. Both teams traded points early, neither side able to build a comfortable lead. At 8-8, it was anyone’s game. But two service aces from Herbots and a net violation by Canada tilted the scale toward the Belgians.
Despite a late push by Canada, including a remarkable solo block by Maglio and a diving save from Wong-Orantes, Belgium held on to close out the set 15-12 and the match 3-2.
Emotions and Reflections
The final whistle saw jubilation on the Belgian side, while the Canadian players dropped to their knees in exhaustion and frustration. It was a match they could have won—and perhaps should have—but key moments slipped through their grasp.
“It hurts,” said Canada’s captain Alexa Gray in the post-match press conference. “We fought hard, but in the end, it came down to a few details. Belgium played a great game and we give them credit, but this is fuel for us moving forward.”
Coach Winzer echoed the sentiment, adding, “We had our moments, but at this level, you need to be consistent from point one to point 125. We’ll study this game closely and learn from it. Our journey in the VNL isn’t over.”
Looking Ahead
For Canada, the loss adds urgency to their remaining fixtures in the VNL as they aim to qualify for the Finals and secure Olympic ranking points. They will need to bounce back quickly with tough matches ahead against the likes of Brazil and the United States.
Belgium, on the other hand, will take great confidence from this win. Herbots, with a match-high 27 points, reaffirmed her status as one of the VNL’s most lethal attackers, and the team demonstrated resilience that could carry them deep into the competition.
As the VNL continues, this showdown will go down as one of the tournament’s most gripping contests—a battle of willpower, talent, and emotional fortitude. While Canada walks away with a loss, the fire they showed promises excitement for what’s yet to come.
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