Nations League | Week 1
The Maple Volleys are back! The boys in red and white are ready to take on the World’s best in the 2019 edition of the FIVB Nations League. The VNL kicks off a massive summer for the men’s team - with Olympic Qualification looming in August, while playing hosts at the NORCECA Championships in Winnipeg in September.
There’s been a couple changes since we last saw the National team at the World Championships in the fall. Most notably is the absence of Head Coach Stephane Antiga, who stepped down to spend more time with his family. Luckily for the Maple Volleys - the Godfather, M. Glenn Hoag, was ready to step back into his role as Head Huncho to get the team ready for another stab at the Olympics. The men’s team has a chance to do something they’ve never done before - qualify to back-to-back Olympics.
Another familiar face returning is Sharone Vernon-Evans, who sat out for last year’s VNL after undergoing surgery. We got to see him a little at the World Championships, but it was clear he wasn’t at full force. If you watched any of the Polish Plus Liga Playoffs - you know this is far from being the case. Sho is coming back stronger than ever, and should have a big impact this summer.
But before thinking about Tokyo, the Maple Volleys are in Argentina to kick off the 2019 VNL against Bulgaria, Portugal, and Argentina. The most noticeable difference on the roster is at the Setter’s position, as Brett Walsh and Adam Schreimer take over the keys to the bus. Walsh, who is coming off a great season in Belgium for Knack Roselare, has the experience and will most likely get the starting spot. But be ready to see Schreimer as well too. The former TWU Spartan had a monster first season in Germany playing for Lunenburg - leading his team to an appearance in the German Cup Finals.
Another rookie is outside Eric Loepkky from Winnipeg. If you’ve been living under a rock, the TWU Spartan has plowed through Canadian competition in the past few years - and he’s ready to do it on the big stage.
Canada Roster | Week 1
Gordon Perrin, Creston, BC (Team Captain)
Steven Marshall, Abbotsford, BC
Justin Duff, Winnipeg, MB
Stephen Maar, Aurora, ON
Jason DeRocco, Winnipeg, MB
Sharone Vernon-Evans, Scarborough, ON
Lucas VanBerkel, Edmonton, AB
Eric Loeppky, Steinbach, MB
Ryan Sclater, Port Coquitlam, BC
Graham Vigrass, Calgary, AB
Blair Bann, Edmonton, AB
Arthur Szwarc, Toronto, ON
Brett Walsh, Calgary, AB
Adam Schriemer, Winnipeg, MB
Nations League Home
Canada Schedule
Friday, May 31st
🇨🇦 Canada vs. 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
5:00 p.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. PST
Mendoza, Argentina
Sunday, June 2nd
🇨🇦 Canada vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina
5:00 p.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. PST
Mendoza, Argentina
Saturday, June 1st
🇨🇦 Canada vs. 🇵🇹 Portugal
5:00 p.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. PST
Mendoza, Argentina