U.S. downs Canada on home turf in 4 sets at Volleyball Nations League
OTTAWA — For members of the Canadian men’s volleyball team, the chance to play on home soil doesn’t come very often, so the group wasn’t feeling very good Sunday following a four-set loss to the U.S. at a Volleyball Nations League event in the country’s capital.
“It’s always fun when you get to play at home. You don’t get the opportunity too much because we all play professionally overseas, so you don’t get the opportunity to play in Canada very often,” said Saskatoon native and longtime national team member Gavin Schmitt,
“Personally though, my performance wasn’t very good. I think if I could have assisted a little better and had a little better level, then we would have had a better shot. We had trouble scoring out of position too, which allowed them to set up their block a little better, but we’re not far off.”
Canada took the opening set 25-23 but then struggled mightily in the second dropping it 25-13. The Americans took over the match and, except for a couple of hiccups in the final two sets, closed it out 25-19 and 25-20.