BRASILIA, Brazil — Stephen Maar was the top scorer with 19 points as Canada downed Italy 3-1 on Friday in the last weekend of pool play at the FIVB men's volleyball league.
Canada won the match 15-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18, giving Poland the advantage in the race to the final six of the competition July 10-14 in Chicago.
The reigning world champion Polish had defeated Japan 3-1 earlier Friday and now stand at 9-4, compared to both Italy and Canada at 8-5.
Nicholas Hoag added 16 points for Canada and Ryan Sclater brought in another 15 in a well-balanced attack.
Oleg Antonov (who was benched after the third set), Daniele Lavia and Giulio Pinali each scored 14 points for Italy.
The Canadian Press