The USA women`s team has secured the final available spot in the Volleyball Nations League Finals, which will be held in Lodz. They clinched their place among the top eight competitors following a dramatic five-set victory over Canada in the concluding VNL match in Arlington on Friday. For Canada, winning two sets in this encounter was enough to ensure their safety from relegation and participation in the VNL next season. This was not the case for Korea, whose straight-sets loss to France in Sunday`s opening game in Chiba meant their potential relegation would remain undecided until Thailand`s match against Canada later that Sunday.
With a current standing of 16th place, a 2-9 win-loss record, 8 points, and a set ratio of 16-31, Canada is now safe from being overtaken by bottom-placed Thailand (1-10, 5 points, 9-31 sets), even if Thailand were to win their final game 3-0. However, Thailand still has a chance to move above Korea, who finished their VNL campaign with a 1-11 record and 5 points; Thailand would only need to win two sets against Canada to surpass Korea in the standings. The USA`s win improved their record to 7-4 with 19 points, allowing them to move into seventh place ahead of Germany. France concluded their season with a 5-7 record and 17 points, climbing to ninth position before the final matches of the day took place.
Match Details: USA vs Canada
In a fiercely contested match described as a “rollercoaster,” the USA narrowly defeated Canada with a 3-2 victory (26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 19-17). Each set saw leads change hands, but the fifth set was particularly intense. Canada managed to come back from a four-point deficit to earn two match points at 14-12. The American team saved both opportunities, then fought off three more chances for Canada to win before scoring three consecutive points to secure the dramatic tie-breaker and the match, much to the delight of the home fans in Arlington.
Key players for the USA included outside hitter Avery Skinner, who led the team with 21 points, including one block. Opposite Madisen Skinner contributed 19 points, featuring two aces and one block. Outside hitter Logan Eggleston also added 19 points, including two blocks. Middle blockers Tia Jimerson and Dana Rettke were effective at the net, finishing with 14 points (six blocks) and 10 points (three blocks), respectively.
Canada`s strong blocking effort, resulting in an impressive 24 kill blocks in total, was not quite enough to secure the win in this North American rivalry. 21-year-old opposite Anna Smrek was responsible for six of those blocks and added two aces to finish with 13 points. Middle blocker Emily Maglio recorded five blocks and an ace, contributing 12 points. Outside hitter Hilary Howe Johnson was the top scorer across both teams with 29 points, which included four blocks. Captain and middle Jazmine Ruth White also had four blocks towards her 10-point tally. Outside hitter Andrea Mitrovic also reached double-digit scoring with 11 points.
Match Details: Korea vs France
Shortly after the matches in Arlington concluded, the action began in Chiba, Japan. France delivered a dominant 3-0 win (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) against Korea. Outside hitter Sabine Haewegene was the top scorer for France with 17 points, including two aces and a block. Opposite Iman Ndiaye contributed 16 points with three aces and two blocks. The other outside hitter, captain Helena Cazaute, scored 11 points. 22-year-old middle Naomi Ngolongolo was impactful in blocking, achieving five of France`s total 10 blocks in the match. For Korea, outside hitter Seoyoung Yuk was the only player to score double digits, finishing with 10 points (one block, nine attacks).
Upcoming Matches
The second match of the day in Chiba, between Bulgaria and Poland, is currently underway. Following that, Japan will play their final home game against Brazil. The most anticipated match for the relegation battle is likely the one between Thailand and Canada in Arlington, which will determine Korea`s fate.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Jasper Thornfield