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The Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 2 kicked off with a bang in Bangkok, as Poland’s star opposite, Magdalena Stysiak, not only led her team to a dominant straight-set victory over Bulgaria but also etched her name further into the VNL history books by crossing the monumental 1,200-point career milestone.
Stysiak Achieves Elite VNL Scoring Milestone
Standing at an imposing 2.03m, Magdalena Stysiak entered Wednesday’s match needing just two points to reach the 1,200-point mark in the VNL. She quickly surpassed this personal target, contributing nine crucial points (seven spikes, one ace, and one block) to Poland’s convincing 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-23) win. Her career VNL tally now stands at an impressive 1,207 points, positioning her as the fourth-highest scorer in the competition’s history.
Stysiak joins an exclusive club of VNL legends, trailing only Turkiye’s Ebrar Karakurt (1,328 points), Belgium’s Britt Herbots (1,303), and the Dominican Republic’s Brayelin Martinez (1,254) in the all-time scoring ranks. Despite her personal achievement and the team’s victory, Stysiak remained critical of her individual performance immediately after the match.
“I didn’t find my rhythm, to be honest. I really hate how I played today, but it’s OK,” Stysiak told VBTV. “We won this first game 3-0, so this is the most important thing. Personally, I need a little more time to come back and be at a hundred per cent. Just to be with the girls and give good energy – this is the most important now.”
Poland’s Dominant Performance Against Bulgaria
Poland’s bronze medalists from the previous VNL season demonstrated their class against a young Bulgarian squad. While Poland edged out their opponents in attack (39-36 spike kills) and net defense (8-7 kill blocks), the real differentiator was the stark contrast in unforced errors. Poland committed a mere nine errors, while Bulgaria, the youngest team in VNL 2026, struggled with 24.
Beyond Stysiak’s milestone, other Polish players shone brightly. Outside hitter Julita Piasecka led her team with 12 points, showcasing her offensive prowess. Nineteen-year-old middle blocker Maja Koput also made a significant impact, adding 10 points, including three blocks and an ace. For Bulgaria, 20-year-old opposite Mikaela Stoyanova was the top scorer of the game with 13 points, supported by middle blocker Borislava Saykova, who also hit double digits with 10 points.
The match wasn’t entirely without drama, particularly in the third set. Bulgaria mounted a spirited comeback, scoring six consecutive points to take a 23-22 lead. However, Poland, currently ranked third in the FIVB World Ranking, held their nerve, responding with three straight points to seal the set and the match, securing their fourth win of the season and improving to 10 points. Bulgaria now stands at a 1-4 record with 3 points.
“Big congratulations to our team! After the first week, we stayed and trained in China and that wasn’t so easy for us, and the first game of the second leg in VNL is never easy to play!” Stysiak later added, acknowledging her opponents. “Big congratulations to the Bulgarian team as well! They fought so much. So, in the end, I am so happy! Because three points is three points. We are still missing a lot, but slowly we are getting back to our good volleyball.”
Canada Secures Vital Victory Over Netherlands
In another thrilling encounter earlier in the day in Bangkok, Canada staged an impressive comeback against the Netherlands, triumphing 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20). This crucial victory pushed Canada’s record to 3-2 with 10 points, while the Dutch dropped to 2-3 with 6 points.
The North Americans reaped significant rewards from this result, gaining 9.99 World Ranking points and climbing one spot to ninth, surpassing Serbia. Canadian opposite Kiera Van Ryk was the standout performer, delivering a remarkable 26 points, including six aces and three blocks. Van Ryk herself is on the cusp of a significant VNL milestone, just three points shy of her 1,000-point career mark. Canadian middle blocker and captain Emily Maglio also contributed significantly with 11 points and an impressive 60% attack success rate. For the Netherlands, 22-year-old opposite Elles Dambrink led their scoring with 13 points.
Why These VNL Results Matter
These early Week 2 results in Bangkok are vital for teams vying for top positions in the VNL standings and crucial World Ranking points, which directly impact Olympic qualification. Poland’s continued strong form, spearheaded by Magdalena Stysiak’s historic achievement, solidifies their status as a formidable contender. Meanwhile, Canada’s hard-fought win and subsequent climb in the World Rankings underscore the intense competition and high stakes of the Volleyball Nations League as the tournament progresses.
Source: Volleyball World
