Canada Shocks Japan with 3-0 Victory in Volleyball Championship

Canada’s men’s volleyball team secured a remarkable 3-0 victory over Japan on September 15, 2025, advancing to the Round of 16 at the world championship. The match, held in Quezon City, showcased Canada’s dominant performance, with set scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-22. This victory marks a significant achievement for Canada, improving their tournament record to 2-0 and elevating their world ranking to eighth.

Sharone Vernon-Evans led the Canadian team with a game-high 14 points, while veteran captain Nick Hoag contributed 13 points. Collectively, Canada outperformed Japan in attack points, achieving 40 compared to Japan’s 33, and dominated in blocking points with a remarkable 10 to Japan’s 2. Despite Japan’s strong serving game, which yielded 7 points from the service line, they struggled to maintain momentum, ending their tournament run with a disappointing 0-2 record.

Japan, ranked seventh and considered a favorite to advance from Pool G, faced a setback as they will not progress further in the tournament. Ran Takahashi emerged as Japan’s top scorer with 11 points, but it was not enough to lead the team to victory.

Head Coach Praises Team’s Execution

Canada’s head coach, Dan Lewis, expressed pride in his team’s execution during the match. “This game was an important step for our guys – they executed really well. Blocking was exceptional,” he stated. Lewis highlighted the importance of maintaining composure under pressure, noting that the team effectively minimized Japan’s scoring runs, even when their own serving game faltered at times.

Looking ahead, Canada is set to face Turkey, currently ranked 14 and also undefeated at 2-0, on Wednesday. This upcoming match will determine the top position in Pool G, adding further excitement to the championship as Canada seeks to build on its momentum.

This stunning victory against Japan not only reflects Canada’s growing prowess in international volleyball but also sets the stage for an intense showdown with Turkey, underlining the competitive spirit of the championship. As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how Canada continues to perform on this global stage.