VNL 2025

Eight kill blocks from Julia Kudiess in Brazil’s shutout of Canada

Herbots leads Belgium in four-set win over Korea

Published 09:31, 20 Jun 2025

Canada (CAN) vs. Brazil (BRA) women - Pool 4 - Preliminary Phase #47769606

Yet another monster block from Julia!

22-year-old middle blocker erupted with as many as eight kill blocks to inspire Brazil in their straight-set win over Canada in the Istanbul pool of the women’s Volleyball Nations League on Friday. That win lifted Brazil to fifth place in the current VNL standings on a 5-1 win-loss record and 14 points, while Canada are down to 15^th on 2-5 and 5. The North Americans were overtaken by Belgium, who managed a four-set win over Korea earlier in the day in Istanbul and widened the distance from the bottom of the table. The Belgians are now 14^th on 2-5 and 6, while the Asians are just a spot above the relegation zone, in 17^th place on 1-5 and 3.

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Canada fought well and, except for the last one third of the first set, they always stayed very competitive and did not fall far behind their Brazilian opponents. The South American team, however, did not allow them to take any sets, keeping all three to themselves, be it by the narrowest of margins in two of them, 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-23).

An excellent blocking effort, and in particular that of Julia Kudiess, was the key to Brazil’s win in this match. Julia authored as many as eight of the team’s 13 kill blocks, against Canada’s team total of just four. One of her monsters killed the match at the end of the third set. Julia also produced eight spike kills, registering an impressive 80% success rate in attack, to finish with 16 points. Meanwhile, outside hitter Julia Bergmann, delivered a match-high 17 points, including three blocks and two aces. 21-year-old opposite Ana Cristina de Souza added 13 points towards the victory, all in attack.

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“It was a great game for Canada, but we killed the important balls, we had some good defenses and the result is there, 3-0. I’m happy,” Julia Bergmann told VBTV. “It was important to win these two matches this week, as we are also in a period of building a new team. We have a lot of young players, so it’s important to use every opportunity we have to grow as a team. I am excited about the next two now. It’s going to be tough, we know, but it’s going to be fun!”

Two of Canada’s players reached the double digits in the match. 19-year-old outside Abagayle Guezen, who entered the match as a substitution during the first set, spearheaded the team with 13 points, all in swings, while middle blocker Nyadholi Thokbuom registered a 75% success rate in attack and put away two kill blocks and an ace to tally 12 points in total.

“I am very happy to see the team get better each day,” Canada’s Italian head coach Giovanni Guidetti said. "Today we had a chance to win two sets against Brazil. That means the team is performing well, because we played at the same level as Brazil, so we should be proud of that. We need to be better at the end of the sets, but again we had a chance against Brazil, which is a good sign.”

In the first match of the day in Istanbul, Belgium took home the three points with a 3-1 (25-16, 20-25, 31-29, 25-12) victory over Korea, capitalizing on many opponent errors from the opponents and showing a solid domination in attack.

Outside hitter and captain Britt Herbots fueled the offense with 19 points and added a kill block towards a match-high 20 points. Middle Silke Van Avermaet signed off with four of the team’s 10 kill blocks in the match to finish with 14 points, while 22-year-old opposite Pauline Martin and 18-year-old outside Tea Radovic added 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Outside and captain Sohwi Kang was once again Korea’s most prolific scorer with 18 points. Her cross-court teammate Seoyoung Yuk put away 13, while 22-year-old opposite Seonwoo Lee also reached the double digits with 10.