Resilient Canadian women swept at volleyball worlds by reigning Olympic champion U.S.

"We don't back down against these guys."

Those words were head coach Shannon Winzer's attempt to keep her Canadian women's volleyball players motivated during a timeout late in a challenging first set on Monday against the top-ranked United States.

They responded by putting forth a strong effort in the 81-minute game but couldn't upend the reigning Olympic champions, who prevailed 25-19, 26-24, 25-15 at the FIVB world championship in Arnhem, Netherlands.

The 2014 world champion Americans improved to 2-0 and sit atop Pool C while Canada is fifth (0-2). Kazakhstan is also 0-2 and plays Canada on Thursday in Poland (CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, 7 a.m. ET).

Kiera Van Ryk of Surrey, B.C., had a team-leading 15 points for Canada, which delivered a much stronger effort than Sunday's tournament-opening, straight-sets loss to defending world champions Serbia.

Outside hitters Alexa Gray and Emily Maglio added nine and seven points, respectively.

WATCH | Full match coverage: Canada vs United States:

The Americans, led by Alexandra Frantti's 15 points on 14 kills and one block, amassed 43 on the attack and held the edge in blocks (8-3) and serves (7-2) while collecting 18 points on Canada errors.

They led by as much as six points early in the third set, but Canada fought back to get to within a point, only to surrender 12 of the final 14 points at the GelreDome.

"We've been pushing so hard in training leading up to the world championship and we know every team will come here and do their best," Frantti said. "We're just going to keep fighting hard and I'm really proud of our team today." 

Canada struggled with service reception early in the final set and trailed 3-0 and 8-4 before a service error by American setter Jordyn Poulter cut the