Two men's volleyball players, both with ties to 91原创, helped secure international victories for Canada again this past week.
Brodie Hofer of 91原创, and Ryan Sclater of Port Coquitlam (a former TWU Spartan), were again part of the 14-member roster for Canada's team in Week 2 of Volleyball Nations League (VNL) action in Chicago, where Canada won only one of four matches.
In Week 1 of play in Quebec, before more than 10,000 fans, the home team won two and lost two. Canada defeated Germany (2-3) and Bulgaria (0-3), and fell to Argentina and France (both 3-2). In the match against Argentina, Hofer scored 17, while against France, the outside hitter led scoring for Canada with 15. Meanwhile, in the victory over Bulgaria, again Hofer lead the game in points with 21.
Then more recently, in Week 2 in Illinois, the team pulled out a lone win, downing China in the final game of that series. They lost to Brazil (0-3), U.S.A. (0-3), and Poland (3-2).
Once again, Hofer's performance stood out during some of this week's games. He led the team in points against Brazil, with 12, and in the battle against Poland he racked up 18 points with 15 kills, two aces, and one block. He's ended the second week ranked 11th overall best scorer with 109 points.
With each match, Canada鈥檚 head coach Dan Lewis says his team is showing more confidence and putting pressure on higher ranked teams.
"We must help create opportunity for ourselves to grow," he said. "Every time we step on the court we must strive to field an internationally competitive team. I am very grateful for the chance to coach this group. They work hard, help each other and continue to grow fast."
Canada's men have three VNL wins so far and currently sit in 14th place.
In recent play, Lewis sought to find the positives in the experiences for his young squad: 鈥淭hese guys are just very focused. They know that they have to expand their limits, their growth, and how they play," he said, singling out a few players including Hofer and what he called their "very strong" efforts on the court.
鈥淚鈥檓 extremely proud of the guys, they never quit and they are growing with every game," Lewis said after one of the matches.
Now, he said, "it's about them taking that next step. Drive 鈥� that's the message. You have to drive, you don't just try to survive."
After one of Canada's victories in the early run of 2025 VNL play, Hofer also commented on the team's progress.
"鈥淲e're a good team and we can play with any team in the world,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have lots of things to improve on, but our level is there. We just have to keep getting better every day.鈥�
VNL now takes a break and resumes with the women鈥檚 competition on Wednesday, July 9. Canada鈥檚 women play Week 3 in Arlington, Texas.
The Canadian women's team lost 91原创's own Brie O'Reilly to injury a few games back, said Volleyball Canada spokesperson Jackie Skender.
"Brie received an injury during the last game in Ottawa. So she's taking some time off, but she's good," Still very much part of Team Canada," she said of the 91原创 player.
So far the Canadian women's team is sitting in 15th place with just two wins after two weeks of VNL play.
Also in national play Volleyball Canada announced that the men鈥檚 indoor U21 national team will include a 91原创 player. Setter Willem Van Huizen made this roster, attending the Pan Am Cup near Calgary from Aug. 5 to 10, then the U21 World Championships from Aug. 19 to Sept. 1 in Jiangmen, China.
