Latest news with #VNL
The Mainichi
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Volleyball: Japan falls 3-0 to Poland in Nations League quarterfinals
NINGBO, China (Kyodo) -- Japan's bid for Volleyball Nations League glory came to a crashing halt Thursday with a 3-0 quarterfinal loss to Paris Olympic men's silver medalist Poland. Led by opposite spiker Kewin Sasak's 15 points, Poland prevailed 25-23, 26-24, 25-12 at the Ningbo Beilun Sports and Art Centre to book a semifinal showdown against Brazil. Opposite spiker Kento Miyaura scored a match-high 17 for Japan, which led for stretches of the opening set and went neck-and-neck with Poland in the second before the Europeans ran away with the third. Star outside hitter Ran Takahashi said Japan paid the price after it "wasted" opportunities to clinch the first two sets. "We need to address the weakness and complacency that prevented us winning the first and second sets," Takahashi said. "There were a lot of situations where we failed to complete our attacks." Slovenia defeated defending VNL and Olympic champion France 3-1 in Thursday's other quarterfinal.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Italy defends Women's Volleyball Nations League title
Warsaw, July 28 (UNI) Italy retained its FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) title in Lodz, Poland, rallying from a set down to defeat Brazil 3-1 in the championship final. Opposite Ekaterina Antropova led Italy with a match-high 18 points, including 13 kills, four blocks and one ace on Sunday evening. Outside hitter Myriam Sylla added 16 points, while Gabriela Guimaraes paced Brazil with 15 points. The reigning Olympic champion, coached by veteran Julio Velasco, has now extended its winning streak to 29 matches. Italy looked set to claim the opening set after building a 19-15 lead, but Brazil responded with six consecutive points. A spike by Guimaraes and a block from Julia Gambatto Kudiess gave Brazil set point, and Guimaraes sealed the set 25-22 with a precise attack. Italy answered strongly in the second set, racing to an 8-4 advantage and maintaining control. Paola Egonu led the way with five points as Italy evened the match with a 25-18 win. The third set remained close until the closing stages. Stella Nervini scored from the left side, and Antropova added three decisive points - a block-out, a quick dump and a powerful spike - to secure a 25-22 victory. In the fourth, Brazil struggled against Italy's blocking. Antropova and captain Anna Danesi stopped three consecutive attacks to give Italy a 20-16 edge. Although Brazil mounted a late rally, Antropova closed the match with a final spike for another 25-22 win. Earlier in the day, host Poland secured the bronze medal for a third consecutive year with a 3-1 win over Japan. Opposite Magdalena Stysiak led all scorers with 18 points, including 16 kills and two blocks, while Japanese middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura contributed 15 points. UNI/XINHUA BM
Toronto Star
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Canada men close VNL prelims by playing spoiler with win over Ukraine
LJUBLJANA - Canada closed out the Volleyball Nations League men's preliminary round with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 31-29, 25-21) win over Ukraine on Sunday. Sitting in 12th in the VNL standings, Canada did not make the elimination round and will look ahead to the world championships in September. Ukraine needed a win to advance to the elimination round taking place in China.
Hamilton Spectator
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada men close VNL prelims by playing spoiler with win over Ukraine
LJUBLJANA - Canada closed out the Volleyball Nations League men's preliminary round with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 31-29, 25-21) win over Ukraine on Sunday. Sitting in 12th in the VNL standings, Canada did not make the elimination round and will look ahead to the world championships in September. Ukraine needed a win to advance to the elimination round taking place in China. Canada led in attack points (64-61), blocking points (9-6) and aces (6-4). However, the two sides were equal in errors at 27 apiece. 'I was very impressed with the group today – the entire team stayed focused for a very important match that finishes this VNL campaign for Canada,' said Canada head coach Dan Lewis. 'I'm proud of the way the guys executed today. Many new players were on the court, who have been patient and working very hard and are always ready to contribute at any moment. … We're looking forward to our next section of training that allows us to prepare for the world championships.' Canada's Skyler Varga led all scoring with 27 points (24 attacks, two blocks, one ace), followed by teammates Jordan Canham (14 points) and Jesse Elser (12 points). This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada men close VNL prelims by playing spoiler with win over Ukraine
LJUBLJANA – Canada closed out the Volleyball Nations League men's preliminary round with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 31-29, 25-21) win over Ukraine on Sunday. Sitting in 12th in the VNL standings, Canada did not make the finals and will look ahead to the world championships in September. Canada led in attack points (64-61), blocking points (9-6) and aces (6-4). However, the two sides were equal in errors at 27 apiece. Canada's Skyler Varga led all scoring with 27 points (24 attacks, two blocks, one ace), followed by teammates Jordan Canham (14 points) and Jesse Elser (12 points). Canada dashed the Ukrainian team's hopes of making the playoffs as Ukraine needed a win to advance. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025.
