King connecting the dots for Canada

Canada's women’s national team entered the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League needing to fight for a good result in its first appearance in the tournament, but also needing to build for the future.

With a new head coach in charge in Shannon Winzer and several new faces in the roster, the Canadians also had to develop their on- and off-the-court chemistry when the VNL started in the Italian Adriatic Resort of Rimini a few weeks ago.

The situation is very different now and 23-year-old Brie King has a lot to do with progress in those areas. On the court, she has increased the team’s offensive options. Off the court, she has done her best to lighten the mood with jokes or even with her singing skills during the team's free time.

“About half of our team is new and that comes with a lot of challenges,” she explained. “As a setter, the key is to make everybody feel safe and important. That happens on the court and even more so off the court. Everybody feels connected, a part of something important and we all know that each girl matters. Keeping everybody together and connected has been the key to the quick chemistry we’ve developed so far as a group.”

Canada’s positive attitude and infectious energy have been easy to notice. It’s impossible not to realise how excited the young group of players is to be competing against the best in the world with never-ending support from bench players. These have some serious dance moves to celebrate points, which have become trademarks of the Canadians in their first-ever VNL appearance.

“The players on the court could never do what they have been doing if the players supporting us on the beach weren’t there,” King added. “Our dancers on the bench are unbelievable and you can just feel their energy coming out on the court. We play our best volleyball when we’re enjoying each other, laughing and smiling and celebrating big points. We’re just trying to keep the energy up and that kind of feeling that we have got each other’s backs and that we’re in it together.”

The Canadians have already achieved some surprising victories against reigning Olympic champions China, reigning world champions Serbia and Germany, besides taking Poland and Turkey to five sets.

More important than the points in the standings, however, is the ability to test themselves against the best in the world in the VNL and to gain confidence for the future of the team.

“I’m really proud of our team. We came out fighting in every game,” King reflected. “We believe we can win matches and compete at this level and I think we showed it in each game. We’re in this unique position in which we’re in an upwards trajectory as a team and we want to keep competing at the highest level. It’s really hard to improve if you’re not being tested and levelling where you are compared to the best teams in the world - and this tournament is exactly that. We’re trying to play with no fear and bring everything to the game and it’s given us some awesome feedback on what we can work on and also a lot of confidence that we can do this.”