For the second straight week, the Canadian volleyball program came away with a memorable victory in Canada. After the Canadian women’s volleyball program stunned the United States for the first time ever, and then had a very impressive win over France in Quebec City, Quebec last week in front of a North American record crowd in women’s volleyball of 10,500, it was time for the Canadian men’s volleyball program to shine. On Thursday night, Team Canada defeated France for the first time ever in men’s volleyball in Volleyball Nations League action by a score of 25-20, 25-18, 21-25, 27-25.
The win by Team Canada at Toronto Dominion Place in Ottawa, Ontario was mighty significant. France won the gold medal in men’s volleyball at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, and defended their Olympic title at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. France also won the 2015 Volleyball World League title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 2017 Volleyball World League title in Curitiba, Brazil (the league where Canada won bronze), the 2022 Volleyball Nations League in Bologna, Italy, and the 2024 Volleyball Nations League in Lodz, Poland.
On Thursday, five Canadians reached double digits in points. Opposite Xander Wassenaar Ketrzynski 0f Toronto, Ontario had 20 points, captain and outside hitter Eric Loeppky of Winnipeg, Manitoba had 18 points, outside hitter Stephen Maar of Aurora, Ontario had 12 points, and middle blockers Danny Demyanenko of Toronto and Jackson Howe of Calgary, Alberta had 10 points each.
With the win, Canada improved to a record of one win and one loss. They regrouped after a loss to Germany on Wednesday. Canada next plays the United States on Saturday afternoon.
