Bowling Green volleyball will be represented well in this year’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) competition, with two Falcon alums representing their respective countries.
Outside hitter Petra Indrova, BGSU class of 2023, will play for the Czech Republic. Middle blocker Jessica Andrews, who graduated this spring, will be representing team Canada for the second consecutive year.
In total, 18 countries will be participating in the VNL with both a men’s and women’s roster. Each roster will be made up of 30 players, contributing to just 540 players total in the league.
Matches in the VNL are split into the preliminary and final phases. In the preliminary phase, each team will play 12 matches over the course of three competition weeks. There will be three pools with six teams per week.
The top eight teams will advance to the final phase, with the hosting countries getting guaranteed spots. The winners of the quarterfinal matchups will advance to the semifinals, winners of the semifinals will advance to the final match and the losers of the semifinals will face for bronze.
Indrova and the Czech Republic women’s team will begin play in pool three on June 3rd against China in Nanjing, China. This match is followed by games against Poland (June 3rd), Belgium (June 5th) and Thailand (June 6th).
The second week of pool play for Team Czechia will be in pool five in Pasig City, Philippines. They will face off against Italy on June 17th, the United States on June 18th, Japan on June 19th and the Dominican Republic on June 21st.
Lastly, the squad will travel to Belgrade, Serbia for play in pool seven, beginning on July 8th against Germany. Czechia will play matches against the Netherlands, Bulgaria and France.
Andrews and Canada will start at home in Quebec City, Canada on June 3rd against Germany in pool one. Canada will face the United States on June 4th, the French on June 6th and Japan on June 7th.
Team Canada will continue to Bangkok, Thailand in pool six for a match with the Netherlands on June 17th. Then, on June 19th, they play Bulgaria with matches on June 20th against Thailand and June 21st against Poland.
Pool play will finish for Canada in pool eight against China in Hong Kong before facing Belgium on July 9th, Italy on July 11th, and finally the Dominican Republic on July 12th.
Fans can follow the VNL by tracking news here and by streaming matches here.
