The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) has officially arrived in Ottawa once again, for the first time with Women’s Week 1 of the preliminary phase launching on June 4 at The Arena at TD Place. Team Canada is playing host to some of the world’s top women’s volleyball teams, including Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, and Serbia. The competition runs until June 8, offering fans five days of elite international action and excitement.
The hometown Canadian crowd. Photo Pedro Decimus
The opening day featured a packed schedule with three exciting matches, setting the tone for what promises to be a high-energy week of volleyball.
The day began with Japan taking on the Netherlands in the morning match. The Japanese squad delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the Dutch team in straight sets: 17-25, 15-25, 16-25.
Next up was a tightly contested battle between the Dominican Republic and Serbia. After dropping the first two sets (26-28, 19-25), the Dominican team mounted a fierce comeback, winning the next three sets (25-15, 25-20, 18-16) to claim the match 3-2 in a dramatic five-set thriller.
Thokbuom goes for hit. Photo Pedro Decimus
The final match of the day saw host nation Canada face off against Bulgaria in front of an energized home crowd. Canada came out strong, taking the first two sets with commanding scores of 18-25 and 12-25. However, Bulgaria didn’t let their heads drop and responded with grit and determination, winning the third and fourth sets (25-23, 25-19) to force a fifth. In the decider, Canada regained control and closed out the match with a dominant 4-15 set win, securing a hard-fought victory to the delight of the home supporters.
Team Canada celebrates. Photo Pedro Decimus
The week ahead will feature two matches per day, with a final trio of games scheduled for the closing day on June 8. With national pride on the line and world rankings at stake, fans can expect more thrilling rallies, comebacks, and standout performances as the VNL continues in the nation’s capital through the week.
The Volleyball Nations League is at The Arena at TD Place June 4-June 8 and tickets are available online. Accessible seating is also available.
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