Canada’s men’s volleyball team tops the Netherlands to close out VNL prelims | CBC Sports

The Canadian men’s volleyball team continued its roll with a win in its preliminary-round finale Saturday, guaranteeing itself a spot in the Volleyball Nations League quarterfinals.

Stephen Maar had a team-high 18 points as Canada topped the Netherlands 3-2 for its fourth straight victory.

The ninth-ranked Canadians posted set scores of 21-25, 25-22, 28-26,14-25,15-9. Canada improved to 8-4 with the quarterfinals set to begin June 27 in Lodz, Poland.

“It was just a wonderful week,” said coach Tuomas Sammelvuo of the Canadian men’s team’s record in VNL’s third week of preliminary play. “I’m very happy that this week in the Philippines ended this way by winning a very difficult game, and when we were in trouble we had to find solutions. You need to struggle and find solutions during these matches. Every opponent is so tough. “We were in trouble with our attacking today, which has been our strength, and Netherlands really gave us trouble…. The guys who entered the game did a good job.”

Despite the loss, the Netherlands led in attack points (57-55), blocking (14-11) and ace serves (9-7), including six aces from opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz, who had 37 total points.

Canada had already qualified for this summer’s Olympics by finishing second in its pool at a qualification tournament last year.

“The guys had an amazing week here, and now we go to the Final 8,” sais Sammelvuo. “We have a little rest and a few practices and then we go to Poland to fight and get to the semifinals.”

The men’s Olympic volleyball tournament runs from July 27 to Aug. 10 at the South Paris Arena. Canada advanced to the quarterfinals at the last two Games.

WATCH | Friday full match replay — Canada vs. Netherlands:

Canadian roster

• Luke Herr – Winnipeg
• Brett Walsh – Calgary
• Ryley Barnes – Edmonton
• Nicholas Hoag – Sherbrooke, Que.
• Eric Loeppky – Steinbach, Man.
• Stephen Maar – Aurora, Ont.
• Brodie Hofer – Langley, B.C.
• Pearson Eshenko – Banff, Alta.
• Fynn McCarthy – Lake Country, B.C.
• Danny Demyanenko – Toronto
• Lucas Van Berkel – Edmonton
• Xander Ketrzynski – Toronto
• Arthur Szwarc – Toronto
• Justin Lui – Pickering, Ont.
• Reserve: Jordan Schnitzer – Surrey, B.C.
• Reserve: Landon Currie – Coldstream, B.C.