Italy averts collapse vs Canada; Brazil sweeps Netherlands in VNL 2023

World no. 4 Italy squandered a 2-1 set advantage but recovered in the decider to pull off a 25-14, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-9 win against Canada in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2023 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Italians were dragged into the fifth set when they wasted a 23-21 lead in the fourth set as Canada unleashed a 4-0 run capped by an ace from Luke Herr.

But they opened the final frame with a 4-0 rampage highlighted by an attack from Daniele Lavia before Yuri Romano soared from the opposite side for a 9-4 cushion.

Romano's swipe on the ball then sent Italy to the match point as Canada's service error finished it off.

Alessandro Michieletto led Italy with 18 points off 14 attacks, three blocks, and one ace while Gianluca Galassi and Romano each listed 17 markers as they improved to 7-3.

Canada, meanwhile, slipped to 2-8.

In the first game, Brazil vented its ire on The Netherlands with a 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 sweep to bounce back from a previous four-set loss to Italy last Tuesday.

Henrique Honorato and Lucas Saatkamp had 10 points apiece while Ricardo Lucarelli Souza chimed in with nine to help the Brazilians hike up their standing to 7-3.

Brazil silenced Netherlands' star spiker and team captain Nimir Abdel-Aziz, who was held to just eight points following a 24-point explosion against Canada on Wednesday.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News