Canadian men bested by Argentina at home in Volleyball Nations League
Canada to finish home series against United States on Saturday, Serbia on Sunday
The Canadian men's volleyball team lost 3-1 to Argentina in its second game of Week 2 in Volleyball Nations League play at Ottawa's TD Place on Thursday.
Canada tied the match at one set each after winning the second frame by a narrow 25-22 score, but lost the next two 25-21 and 25-20. The Canadians lost the opening set by the widest margin of the match, 25-18.
Canada finished with more attacks than Argentina (53-51) but lost in blocks (11-6), digs (48-46) and errors (30-23).
The loss comes two days after the host team beat Cuba by the same score on Tuesday to open its series of matches in the nation's capital.
"We didn't play good volleyball, very simply. Technically and tactically, we didn't show up well for the match tonight," said Team Canada head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo. "Argentina is a completely different team than Cuba (which Canada beat on Tuesday night). They have a very high-speed offence. Basically, we just must play better volleyball."
Canada will play twice on the weekend to finish off its Week 2 homestand — first with the United States on Saturday and then Serbia on Sunday.
The team has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
WATCH | Replay of Canada's loss to Argentina:
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.
