Canada’s Sharone Vernon-Evans led the charge with 14 points, propelling the team to a surprising victory over favored Japan in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship Round of 16. The match ended 3-0 in Canada’s favor, with set scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-22. This win pushed Canada’s ranking up to eighth globally, maintaining their unbeaten streak at 2-0 in the tournament.
While Japan outscored Canada in service points (7-3), the Canadian team excelled in attack points (40-33) and dominated in blocking points (10-2). Head coach Dan Lewis praised the team’s execution and exceptional blocking performance, highlighting the significance of this victory for the players.
Nick Hoag, Canada’s veteran captain, contributed 13 points to the team’s success, while Japan’s top scorer, Ran Takahashi, managed 11 points. With this loss, Japan, ranked seventh in the world, dropped to 0-2 in Pool G, eliminating their chances of advancing in the tournament.
Looking ahead, Canada is set to face Turkey, currently ranked 14th and also undefeated at 2-0, in a crucial match to determine the group leader. The Canadians aim to continue their winning streak and secure the top spot in the group standings.