June 8, 2025 .- The first week of the 2025 Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) came to a close this Sunday. The United States claimed their first victory in Group 2, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Meanwhile, in Group 1, played at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, the host team ended the week with a spectacular comeback against Serbia to win 3-2. The Dominican Republic closed their participation with a loss against undefeated Japan.
USA Gets on the Board with Win Over Korea
The United States finally broke through and ended their first week with a 3-0 victory (25-13, 28-26, 25-17) over Korea. With this win, the U.S. team finished with one win and three losses, placing 13th overall with 4 points.
The Americans outperformed Korea in attacks (43-31) and blocks (14-3). Service aces were close, with Korea edging out the U.S. 5-4. Both teams committed 17 unforced errors.
Four U.S. players scored in double digits, with middle blocker Amber Igiede leading all scorers with 16 points (7 attacks, 8 blocks, 1 ace). Opposite Madisen Skinner tallied 15 points (13 attacks, 1 block, 1 ace), Sarah Franklin added 14, and Logan Lednicky finished with 10.
Canada Rallies to Defeat Serbia 3-2
Canada pulled off a stunning reverse sweep in front of their home crowd, defeating reigning world champions Serbia 3-2 (20-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-12). After dropping the first two sets, the Canadians turned the table and came from behind in the fifth set to seal the win.
Opposite and team captain Kiera Van Ryk delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 34 points, 24 from attacks, 1 block, and 9 service aces.
Despite Serbia leading in attacks (62-53) and blocks (18-5), Canada capitalized on the Europeans’ 34 unforced errors and Van Ryk’s phenomenal serving (Canada led 11-4 in aces). Van Ryk ended the week as the tournament’s second-highest scorer with 89 points and led all players in service aces with 15.
With this result, Canada finished 11th overall with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Dominican Republic Falls to Powerhouse Japan
The Dominican Republic wrapped up their week in Ottawa with a 0-3 loss (19-25, 21-25, 9-25) against a dominant Japan squad, who topped the standings with a perfect 4-0 record, all wins coming in straight sets. The Dominicans finished with 2 wins and 2 losses, placing 12th overall.
Japan outperformed the Caribbean team in attacks (51-26) and service aces (10-1), while the “Queens of the Caribbean” led in blocks (8-3). Japan committed 14 unforced errors to the Dominican Republic’s 11.
Gaila González led the Dominican scoring with 14 points (11 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace). Star player Brayelin Martínez, who didn’t shine as brightly in this match as in the previous three, still finished the week as the fourth top scorer of the tournament with 79 points (65 attacks, 12 blocks, 2 aces).
Men’s VNL Begins Tuesday, June 10
The Men’s Volleyball Nations League kicks off on Tuesday, June 10 in Xi’an, China, with a single match between Poland and the Netherlands. NORCECA will be represented by Canada, who will play in Quebec in Group 1, and by the United States and Cuba, who will compete in Group 2 in Rio de Janeiro.
On Wednesday, June 11, the United States faces Ukraine (11:00 a.m. local time), Canada takes on Germany (6:00 p.m. local time), and Cuba closes the day against Slovenia (6:00 p.m. local time).
English 
Spanish