July 15, 2026. – Week 3 of the 2026 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Preliminary Phase got underway with Cuba earning its first victory of the season, the United States extending its winning streak, and Canada suffering another heartbreaking five-set defeat.
The VNL Finals, featuring the top seven teams from the Preliminary Phase along with host nation China, will begin on July 29 in Ningbo, China.
United States Sweeps China in Straight Sets
Playing on home soil, the United States swept China 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-20) to open the third and final week of the Men’s VNL Preliminary Phase.
The Americans delighted their home crowd in Chicago, improving to 7-2 and moving into second place in the standings. They also became the team with the most 3-0 victories this season, with four, and moved one step closer to securing a place in the VNL Finals.
The United States dominated every team statistical category, leading China in attacks (42-31), blocks (6-2) and service aces (10-4).
It was a relatively clean match, with China committing 17 unforced errors compared to 14 by the Americans.
Three U.S. players reached double figures in scoring. Cooper Robinson and Ethan Champlin each scored 14 points, with Robinson recording three aces, while Cole Hartke added 10 points.
Cuba Earns Its First Victory of 2026
Cuba opened Week 3 with a convincing 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-20) victory over Belgium, earning its first win of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League season.
The victory improved Cuba’s record to 1-8 with 5 points, moving the Caribbean team into 17th place, just behind Canada. Cuba will now look to build on this momentum over its final three matches in an effort to retain its place in the VNL.
Outside hitter Marlon Yant recorded five aces and finished with 14 points, while fellow outside hitter Miguel Ángel López led Cuba with 15 points, including two aces. Belgium’s Ferre Reggers, a 22-year-old opposite, was the match’s leading scorer with 17 points.
Cuba dominated every major team statistic, leading Belgium in attacks (43-34), blocks (11-4) and service aces (8-4). The Cubans once again committed a high number of unforced errors (21), but Belgium was unable to capitalize.
Canada Loses Its Sixth Five-Set Match
Canada opened the third week of the Men’s VNL with another hard-fought five-set battle, but Argentina rallied from a two-set deficit to claim a 3-2 (24-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-13, 19-17) victory on Wednesday in Osaka.
Canada held the advantage in attacks (66-63), while Argentina led in blocks (10-7). Both teams recorded seven aces, but Canada’s 35 unforced errors, compared to Argentina’s 24, proved costly.
Outside hitter Skyler Varga led the Canadians with 20 points (16 kills, one block and three aces). Xander Ketrzynski and Jackson Young each added 18 points, while Jackson Howe contributed 13.
Canada now stands at 1-8. Six of its eight losses have come in five-set matches, while the other two were decided in four sets. The Canadians’ place in next year’s Men’s VNL is now in serious jeopardy, as they sit in 16th place, tied with Cuba and China.
Match Schedule – Thursday, July 16
In Japan
Canada vs. Japan – 19:20 (Local Time)
Cuba – Rest Day
In the United States
United States vs. Brazil – 20:00 (Local Time)
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