Team Canada has won its first game of the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League. In a five set thriller from the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec on Wednesday, Canada defeated Germany 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11.
Four Canadians reached double digits in total points. Opposite spiker Ryan Sclater of New Westminster, British Columbia and outside hitter Jackson Young of Etobicoke, Ontario led the way with 17 points each. (Interestingly, Canada’s top women’s volleyball player at the moment is Kiera Van Ryk, who also hails from New Westminster). Sclater had 13 attack points, three blocks and one ace. Young had 11 attack points, three blocks and a team-high three aces. Outside hitter Brodie Hofer of Kelowna, British Columbia had 16 points (14 attack points and two aces), and captain and middle blocker Fynn McCarthy of Kelowna had 13 points (seven attack points, a team-high five blocks, and one ace).
Team Canada plays four games overall this weekend to open the two-month global tournament. They next play Argentina on Thursday, France on Saturday afternoon, and then Bulgaria on Sunday. France will be a significant test for Canada, as they have won the gold medal at the last two Olympic Games–the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.