An Epic Return to the Court!

In a stunning comeback to international play, Sharone Vernon-Evans made his presence felt, leading Canada to a 3-1 victory over Libya in their opening match of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. This marked his first match with the national team since the Tokyo Olympics, and his impact was undeniable.

Historical Matchup: Canada vs. Libya

Facing off against a Libyan team making their World Championship return after a staggering 45 years, Canada initially stumbled, dropping the first set 22-25. However, they rallied fiercely to claim the next three sets, sealing the match with scores of 25-20, 25-12, and a nail-biting 29-27.

Key Players Shine in Victory

Vernon-Evans emerged as the star of the match, scoring a remarkable 22 points through 16 kills, three blocks, and three aces. Meanwhile, Canadian captain Nicholas Hoag, also back with the squad after missing the Volleyball Nations League, contributed significantly with 20 points, showcasing a powerful performance. Supporting him, middle blockers Fynn McCarthy and Daenan Gyimah added 12 and 11 points respectively.

Looking Ahead: A Challenge Awaits

Despite their initial jitters, Hoag acknowledged the need for improvement ahead of their next match against Japan, warning that they must maintain discipline in their defense and blocking to hold off the formidable opponents. "We need to play better if we want to beat Japan in our next match. They're a great team, and we can't give them anything," he stated.

Libya's Brave Return to the Court

On the Libyan side, the Ikhbayri brothers, Ahmed and Mohamed, shone brightly, each scoring 17 points. Ahmed contributed with 15 kills, while Mohamed secured 16 kills in a valiant effort to keep their dreams alive. Ahmed expressed pride in their performance, saying, "We may not have won, but we are proud of how we played. We want to make our fans at home proud, and we know we have much more to show here."

What’s Next?

With two more matches ahead and hopes high for advancement to the Round of 16, both teams left it all on the court, setting the stage for thrilling volleyball action in the days to come. Canada’s solid start might just be the momentum they need as they aim for glory this championship season.