The final ticket to the women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals in Lodz has been punched, and it belongs to the United States. In a match that was anything but straightforward, the USA team navigated a five-set epic against Canada in Arlington to claim their place among the competition`s elite eight.
Arlington Thriller: USA vs Canada
Friday`s clash between North American rivals was a tension-filled affair. The United States ultimately prevailed with a hard-fought 3-2 victory, featuring set scores of 26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, and a pulsating 19-17 decider. The match was a rollercoaster, with lead changes keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
The fifth set, in particular, tested the nerves of both teams. After building a lead, the Americans saw Canada claw their way back, even reaching a double match point at 14-12. Yet, displaying remarkable resilience, USA denied not only those two opportunities but a further three Canadian chances before finally stringing together three consecutive points to clinch the set and the match. For Canada, the loss was softened by a significant consolation: the two sets they won were precisely enough to secure their survival in the VNL for the next season, a crucial outcome for the team.
Individually, the match showcased several standout performances. For USA, outside hitter Avery Skinner led the scoring with 21 points. She was well-supported by opposite Madisen Skinner and outside Logan Eggleston, who each tallied 19 points. Middle blockers Tia Jimerson and Dana Rettke were formidable at the net, contributing 14 and 10 points respectively, highlighted by Jimerson`s six blocks.
Canada`s defense was anchored by a truly impressive blocking display, racking up a remarkable 24 kill blocks as a team. Despite this defensive prowess, they couldn`t convert it into a match victory. Outside Hilary Howe Johnson was Canada`s top scorer across the board with a superb 29 points, including four blocks. 21-year-old opposite Anna Smrek was particularly effective at the net with six blocks, finishing with 13 points. Middle blockers Emily Maglio (12 points, five blocks) and captain Jazmine Ruth White (10 points, four blocks) also made significant contributions. Outside Andrea Mitrovic added 11 points.
Chiba Update: France Dashes Korean Hopes
While the drama unfolded in Arlington, action was also underway in Chiba, Japan. France delivered an emphatic 3-0 shutout victory over Korea with set scores of 25-17, 25-19, and 25-21. This result had direct implications for the relegation battle.
France was dominant, with outside Sabine Haewegene leading the charge with a game-high 17 points. Opposite Iman Ndiaye contributed 16 points, showcasing a strong service game with three aces. Captain Helena Cazaute added 11 points. France`s blocking was also effective, highlighted by 22-year-old middle Naomi Ngolongolo`s five kill blocks within the team`s total of 10. For Korea, outside Seoyoung Yuk was the sole player to reach double-digit scoring, finishing with 10 points.
Relegation Picture Remains Tense
With Canada securing their VNL status by earning crucial points against USA, the focus of the relegation battle shifted. Korea, having finished their campaign with just one win and 5 points, is now vulnerable at the bottom of the standings. Their fate hinges on the outcome of the match between Thailand and Canada later in the final competition day.
Thailand (1-10, 5 points before their final match) can surpass Korea`s final tally of 5 points by winning two or more sets against Canada (securing at least 1 point in a 3-2 loss, or 2-3 points in a win). This adds an extra layer of intrigue to the closing stages of the preliminary phase, confirming that the VNL rarely concludes without a touch of late-game suspense.
