Canadian volleyballers on roll with win over Aussies

The goal for the Canadian men’s volleyball team is simple for this week’s Volleyball Nations League event at TD Place.

The Canadian team would like nothing better than to extend its season an extra week to July 4-8 in Lille, France, where the six-team VNL Final Round will be played. Canada won bronze last year.

To do that, with France already in as host, Canada needs a top-five finish here. And if they keep their present pace, they can book their flights.

Canada topped Australia in straight sets Friday night — 259, 26-24 and 25-19 — in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 3,000 in the Arena at TD Place for a fourth consecutive win to improve their VNL record to 5-2.

“Our goal is to get to France,” said Canadian standout Blair Bann. “For the most part, we have a lot of new players and all this preparation is really for the World Championships (in September). We know we’ve gotta go all in, all the time. That’s our approach.”

In Friday’s afternoon matchup, the German squad stunned the previously top-ranked Americans in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22 and 25-13.

“The atmosphere here is great. Our training centre has been (in Gatineau) since 2009 so this is awesome to get the chance to play in front of family and friends,” added Bann. “We didn’t play in Canada all of last year so this is great.”

Canada plays Germany Saturday at 7 p.m. after the United States and Australia face off at 4 p.m.

The Canadian team arrived in the arena at 6:10 p.m. and couldn’t believe the result of the first match between the U.S. and the Germans, nor the short time it took: just one hour and 40 minutes.

The Americans, who arrived in Ottawa tied for first with Poland and Brazil — all with 5-1 records — were simply never in it.

“That’s one of the worst passing performances we have ever had,” U.S. head coach John Speraw said. “I sensed it early in the week. This tournament is a bit of a grinder.

“We have to see what we can do to get our energy level back up. Our service game never got going. We never put (Germany) in trouble.”

WAYNE CUDDINGTON Team Canada players, Stephen Timothy Maar, from left, Tyler Sanders, Graham Vigrass, Bradley Robert Gunter, and Jason Derocco celebrate a point during their Friday win over Australia at TD Place.