South Korea spoils late charge by Canada's women to take Volleyball Nations League match

Canada's women's team opened the second leg of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League with a 3-2 loss to South Korea on Wednesday in Istanbul.

In her VNL season opener, Abby Guezen tops Canadians with 17 points off attack

Canadian women’s opposite hitter Abby Guezen bumps the ball during Volleyball Nations League action against South Korea on June 18, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Canada opposite hitter Abby Guezen made an impact in her Volleyball Nations League season opener on Tuesday, leading her team with 17 points in a five-set loss to South Korea in Turkey. (Courtesy Volleyball World)

Canada's women's team opened the second leg of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League with a 3-2 loss to South Korea on Wednesday in Istanbul.

Set scores were 27-25, 25-18, 15-25, 20-25 and 15-13.

Canada came back from a 2-0 deficit and led the final set 6-1 before the Koreans stormed back.

Abby Guezen, playing in her first VNL match this year, led Canada with 17 points, all off the attack.

Anna Smrek added 16 points, including four off the block.

Canada (2-3) sat in 10th place at the tournament heading into a match Thursday against host Turkey.

"It's not the result we wanted," Canada head coach Giovanni Guidetti said from Turkey. "Korea put our attack in trouble and our block defence was not enough. But we knew that we came to Istanbul with a very young team with many players in their first full VNL match.

"I'm happy the team didn't give up after going down 2-0. We want to keep working, progressing and pushing every match."

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