Canada drops 5-setter to top-ranked France in Bulgaria
Men's squad 8th in 16-team Volleyball Nations League with 6-6 record
Canada fell 3-2 to France in Volleyball Nations League play despite a match-high 23 points from Nick Hoag on Sunday in Varna, Bulgaria.
Set scores were 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 16-14.
Jean Patry had 20 points to lead France and Julien Lyneel added 15.
Canada's Ryley Barnes had 18 points, returning Olympian Justin Duff had 12 and Brad Gunter and Arthur Szwarc added 11 apiece.
'We showed a lot of fight and battle'
Canada failed to take advantage of an early three-point advantage in the fifth, allowing France to extend its winning streak to six.
"We came out with nothing to lose and took them by surprise a little bit, we showed a lot of fight and battle," said Gunter. "Even in the sets we lost, we fought for every point and that was an important part for us. We had to make some points here if we want to make it to the Final Six."
France tops the standings at 10-2 with one weekend remaining in round-robin play. Canada is eighth of 16 squads at 6-6.
Only six countries will play in the finals in July. France, as host, is guaranteed a spot.