Captain Nicholas Haug and the World No. 11 Canada bucked an early challenge from World No. Libya to take their first win of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
World No. 11 Canada overcame a slow start to turn back world No. 75 Libya in four sets, 22-25, 25-20, 25-12, 29-27, in their Pool G opener at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship on Saturday, September 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Libya stunned the crowd by taking the first set, 25-22, but Canada steadied under new head coach Dan Lewis, a former national team libero, to win the next three frames convincingly.
The fourth set was an intense, extended see-saw battle which saw Sharone Vernon-Evans get the winning point.
The opposite spiker paced the Canadians with 22 points built on 16 attacks, three blocks, and three aces. Team captain Nicholas Hoag also delivered with 20 markers off 15 attacks, a block, and four aces.
The win marked Canada’s 10th straight appearance—and 13th overall—in the World Championship, with their best finish being seventh place back in 2014. They clinched their ticket to this year’s edition after placing second in the 2023 NORCECA Championship.
Libya, meanwhile, made a spirited return to the world stage after 45 years, having last competed in 1982. Guided by Tunisian head coach Ghazi Koubaa, the African bronze medalists in 2023 showed their grit early, led by opposite Ahmed Ilkhbayri’s 17 points on 15 attacks, a block, and an ace.
While Libya’s early surge turned heads, Canada’s depth and experience ultimately proved decisive as they opened their campaign with a victory.
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(With reports from Katrina Alba)
[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]