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Canada's Kiera Van Ryk spikes the ball during a Volleyball Women's Nations League match against Brazil, at the Maracanazinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Van Ryk had 17 points for Canada in a loss to the Netherlands on Thursday June 5, 2025, in Ottawa. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
By The Canadian Press

Canadian volleyball women bounce France in front of North American record crowd

Jun 6, 2026 | 9:06 PM

QUÉBEC — A record North American crowd watched Canada rebound from an opening set loss to bounce back and beat France in women’s Volleyball Nations League play at Centre Videotron on Saturday.

Canada dropped the opening set of the best-of-five match 21-25, before reeling off 25-20, 25-19 and 28-26 wins in front of 10,500 fans in Quebec City. The North American attendance record happened on the same day a women’s world attendance record was set in Nanjing, China, where the hosts played Serbia in women’s action.

The Canada-France match did not disappoint those who attended, going into extra points in the fourth set. Top scorer for Canada was Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C., with 21 points, 19 kills and two blocks.

Middle blocker Nyadholi “Dholi” Thokbuom was named “player of the match” and earned three of Canada’s total (13) blocking points, in addition to six attack points and an ace.

“It felt really good — coming off the win with USA I think it was important to have the energy from the crowd again and they came and did just that, so it was great,” said Thokbuom, who is from Calgary.

“Personally, coming off some not-so-great matches for me, it was great to feel the support from not only my team and the coaches, and everyone behind us, but it was really special to know there is room for error, and knowing that you can bounce back.”

Canada dropped the first match of week one to Germany (1-3), then had a historic 3-0 win over the United States on Thursday. On Sunday the Canadians play Japan to wrap up the opening week of VNL in Quebec.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press