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Canada falls to reigning champion Serbia to start women's world volleyball tournament

ARNHEM, Netherlands — Canada opened the women's world volleyball championship with a loss to defending champion Serbia on Sunday.

ARNHEM, Netherlands — Canada opened the women's world volleyball championship with a loss to defending champion Serbia on Sunday.

Serbia, also last year's Olympic bronze medallists, swept the Canadians in three straight games (25-23, 25-16, 25-20) at the GelreDome to kick off defence of its title.

Serbian captain Tijana Boskovic was a standout with 18 kills and a match-high five service aces.

Outside hitter Alexa Gray of Calgary posted 12 kills and two blocks for Canada. Kierra Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C., had 12 kills and an ace.

Canada faces world No. 1 United States on Monday. 

Bulgaria, Germany and Kazakhstan are also in Pool C with Canada, which is ranked 17th in the world.

The 19th women's world championship is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Poland with matches played in three Dutch and three Polish cities until Oct. 15.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2022.

The Canadian Press