By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Netherlands recovered from a lethargic third set and dispatched Canada, 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18, on Wednesday, July 5, in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was the Dutch’s fifth victory in nine games to remain inside the Top 8 as they drew strength from skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Gijs Jorna and Maarten Van Garderen.
Abdel-Aziz exploded at the attack zone with 22 kills to finish with 24 points, including unstoppable smashes late in the fourth frame that took the fight out of the Canadians.
Jorna also shone on the offensive end with 10 hits for 12 points, while Van Garderen also fired all his 11 points on attacks.
Enjoying a two-set lead, the Netherlands relaxed in the third, giving Canada time to regroup with Ryan Joseph Sclater and Nicholas Hoag leading the way.
But the Dutch were not to be denied in the fourth set as they rushed to a 5-1 lead on the way to a commanding 19-11 advantage behind the five straight points that Abdel-Aziz sparked.
“I think we slowed down a little bit in the third set, so that was the main thing in the fourth set. We have to get the energy back again,” said Abdel-Aziz.
Twan Wiltenburg and Fabian Flak also delivered significant numbers for the Netherlands with 9 and 8 points, while Siebe Korenblek chipped in three including the match-winning spike.
Canada absorbed its seventh loss against two victories and skidded near the bottom of the standings despite the resilient efforts of Sclater and Hoag, who pumped in 20 and 11 points, respectively.
