Calgarian Howe, Gray “Super Excited” to Lead Canada in Volleyball

amonpetragliaJune 28, 2022

Hillary Howe of Calgary celebrates with her teammates on the Canadian Women’s Volleyball Team. Photo by Volleyball Canada / /supply

How do Hillary Howe and Alexa Gray feel about playing at home in front of their loved ones when Calgary hosts the action for the third week of the 2022 Volleyball Nations League?

It’s almost the same as what you think it will be.

“It’s great,” Howe involved a host Canadian woman and world-class volleyball rivals representing seven other countries in seven Tuzina Chiefs Sportsplexes on Tuesday’s eve of the VNL season opener. “I haven’t been at home for a long time, so it’s already great to meet my parents, siblings and old friends, and the game hasn’t started yet.”

“I’m very excited to be able to play again in Calgary,” added Gray, a Canadian teammate and outside hitter. “It’s been 10 years since we’ve been able to play in our hometown with friends and family. We’re decent so we can power them up for these four games in the Volleyball Nations League. I want a crowd. “

Two Calgarians from Team Canada’s Women’s Team, Howe and Gray, are key members of the country on the women’s top V-ball stage.

Canada will face Turkey (5-3) on Tuesday, and Serbia (5-3), Germany (2-6) and the Netherlands (2–2) on Friday (8 pm), Saturday (8 pm) and Sunday (5 pm). Play against 6). 1-7).

Belgium, Japan, and the US Olympic champion will conclude the countries represented by Calgary. Each team will play four games in a six-day luxury game.

Hillary Howe and Team Canada will face Turkey, Serbia, Germany and the Netherlands during a FIVB Volleyball Nations League match at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex of the Tuzina tribe. Photo by Volleyball Canada / /supply

“I know there is a big volleyball community here in Calgary. I hope they can play some games and see what this sport looks like at the highest level,” 27. Said Gray, aged. He graduated from Centennial High School in Calgary, Dinos Volleyball Club at the University of Calgary, and BYU Cougars at NCAA and is currently playing professionally in Italy. “It’s very exciting to see and participate. We play against the best players in the world and we need home court advantage in every match. We’ve taken a big step in the program over the last few years, so these I’m looking forward to showing it off in the game. “

Canadians need that “show off” to stay successful this week in order to stay at the top of the sport.

Here you need at least two, and in some cases three, wins.

“Personally, I don’t feel much pressure, it’s just excitement,” said Howe, a 24-year-old graduate of Calgary’s EP Scarlet Lancers and U Sports’ Trinity Western Spartans, who turned professional in France in the past. I told you before I did. Year. “We are training every day for these moments, so it feels like we’re all excited to showcase what we have and have a lot of fun. increase.”

Starting May this year, the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League will feature the best 16 male and 16 female teams competing for VNL dominance at venues in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. This year’s edition includes teams competing in a pool of eight teams and the top eight teams by gender, including hosts, in a new dynamic format that advances to the final knockout phase of the competition.