Bulgaria overpowered higher-ranked Canada, 26-24, 25-22, 25-21, Saturday to finally clinch its first win in Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League Women’s Leg at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Still reeling from their losses against the United States and Japan, the Bulgarians quickly got back to work to flatten the Canadians and improve their win-loss record to 2-5 for five points.
Setter Lora Kitipova distributed the ball well for Bulgaria as four players scored in double figures with Maria Yordanova pumping in 15 points on 13 kills and Miroslava Paskova firing 12 hits for 14 points.
Silvana Chausheva also displayed her offensive firepower with 12 points on 10 attacks even as Nasya Dimitrova chipped in 11 points.
Down by 24-23 in the opening set, the Bulgarians turned to Chausheva and Yordanova with back-to-back kills before a block from Mira Todorova gave them the set victory.
The Canadians regrouped in the second frame and took a 20-14 lead, but the Bulgarians showed their resolve and rallied to 7-1 run to tie the match at 21-all.
Kiera Van Ryk stopped the bleeding to give Canada a 22-21 advantage, but Chauseva and Paskova teamed up for Bulgaria’s four straight points to gain the set win.
It was a close match in the third set with Bulgaria taking the 20-17 lead before Canada piled up errors that sealed its fate.
Van Ryk scored 20 points, Emily Maglio added 13 points and Alexa Gray posted 10 points for Canada, which fell to 3-5 for nine points.