Netherlands topples Canada in four sets
Published Jul 5, 2023 09:23 am
The Netherlands recovered from a lethargic third set as it dispatched Canada, 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18, on Wednesday, July 5, in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was the Dutch’s fifth victory in nine games to remain inside the Top 8 as they drew strength from skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Gijs Jorna and Maarten Van Gaderen. Abdel-Aziz exploded at the attack zone with 22 kills to finish with 24 points including hard-hitting smashes late in the fourth frame that dictated the tempo en route to the win. Jorna was also unstoppable in the offensive end with 10 hits for 12 points, while Van Garderen also fired all his 11 points on attacks. Enjoying a two-set lead, Netherlands relaxed in the third that allowed Canada to regroup spearheaded by Ryan Joseph Sclater and Nicholas Hoag. But the Dutch were not to be denied in the fourth set this time as it quickly set the tone with a 5-1 start before cruising to a commanding 19-11 advantage behind five straight points bannered by Abdel-Aziz. “I think we slowed down a little bit in the third set, so that was the main thing in the fourth set. We have to get the energy back again,” said Abdel-Aziz. Twan Wiltenburg and Fabian Flak also shone for the Netherlands with nine and eight points, while Siebe Korenblek chipped in three including the match-winning spike. Canada skidded to its seventh loss against two victories near the bottom standings despite the resilient efforts of Sclater and Hoag, who pumped in 20 and 11 points, respectively. Overall, the Dutch outshone the Canadians in all departments particularly in attacks where they fired 62 kills compared to their opponents' 47. The Netherlands also got 29 points off Canada’s unforced errors.
*Netherlands' Nimir Abdel-Aziz scores a kill against three Canadian defenders during their VNL game Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Ali Vicoy)
*It was the Dutch’s fifth victory in nine games to remain inside the Top 8 as they drew strength from skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Gijs Jorna and Maarten Van Gaderen. Abdel-Aziz exploded at the attack zone with 22 kills to finish with 24 points including hard-hitting smashes late in the fourth frame that dictated the tempo en route to the win. Jorna was also unstoppable in the offensive end with 10 hits for 12 points, while Van Garderen also fired all his 11 points on attacks. Enjoying a two-set lead, Netherlands relaxed in the third that allowed Canada to regroup spearheaded by Ryan Joseph Sclater and Nicholas Hoag. But the Dutch were not to be denied in the fourth set this time as it quickly set the tone with a 5-1 start before cruising to a commanding 19-11 advantage behind five straight points bannered by Abdel-Aziz. “I think we slowed down a little bit in the third set, so that was the main thing in the fourth set. We have to get the energy back again,” said Abdel-Aziz. Twan Wiltenburg and Fabian Flak also shone for the Netherlands with nine and eight points, while Siebe Korenblek chipped in three including the match-winning spike. Canada skidded to its seventh loss against two victories near the bottom standings despite the resilient efforts of Sclater and Hoag, who pumped in 20 and 11 points, respectively. Overall, the Dutch outshone the Canadians in all departments particularly in attacks where they fired 62 kills compared to their opponents' 47. The Netherlands also got 29 points off Canada’s unforced errors.