Brazil complete perfect pool campaign ahead of the elimination rounds

Coached by Olympic champion setter Hélia 'Fofão' Souza, Brazil was the best team in the pool phase of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship, which was completed on Monday in Lima, Peru, as the South American powerhouse navigated all their matches in Pool A without dropping any sets.

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With the 16 national teams advancing to the Round of 16 after pool play, the tournament continues on Tuesday, with eight elimination duels – Italy vs. Canada at 10:30 local time (15:30 GMT), the Chinese Taipei vs. Thailand at 11:00 (16:00), Brazil vs. Egypt at 13:30 (18:30), Türkiye vs. Puerto Rico at 14:00 (19:00), Mexico vs. the Dominican Republic at 16:30 (21:30), China vs. Croatia at 17:00 (22:00), Peru vs. Argentina at 19:30 (00:30, Wednesday) and Japan vs. Ecuador at 20:00 (1:00, Wednesday).

Pool A: Brazil keep their record clean

After getting straight-set victories in their first two matches in Lima, Brazil did it again on Monday, beating Canada 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-16) to complete their pool campaign with three sweeps. Outside hitter Laura Maccarone, with 13 points (eight kills, three aces, two blocks), and opposite Heloisa Andrade, with 11 (eight kills, three blocks), were the team's main scorers against the Canadians, who progressed in fourth place.

Hosts Peru secured their second victory in the tournament and advanced in second place after they downed the Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-12, 25-19, 28-30, 25-23). The home team had two players registering over 20 points in the match as Ariana Vazquez led the Peruvians with 24 (17 kills, six aces, one block) while fellow outside hitter Gianella Chanca added another 22, with 15 kills, six blocks and one ace. Opposite Rayni Mondesi scored 16 (15 kills, one block) for the Caribbean.

Pool B: China get third victory

Undefeated in their first two matches in Lima, Asian giants China had their least demanding match to conclude pool play on Monday, as they dominated Ecuador from start to finish to produce a 3-0 (25-7, 25-5, 25-15) victory and advance in first place – the South Americans lost for the third time and progressed in fourth. Outside hitter Sun Hongyun, with 15 points (ten kills, five aces), and middle blocker Chen Xiaohui, with 12 (eight kills, four blocks), led the Chinese victory.

Earlier on Monday, Türkiye and Thailand met for the second place in the pool and the Europeans were on the winning side of the duel, prevailing 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-13) to end pool play with two victories. Outside hitter Aylin Uysalcan shone the brightest, leading the Turkish with 15 points, one more than middle blocker Ezel Balık. Thailand had outside hitter Natchaya Ta-Hae as their main scorer with 13 points.

Pool C: Captain Tosini helps Italy finish first

Pool C had Italy and Mexico entering the last day of pool play as candidates to finish first and the Europeans got the job done, beating Argentina 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-22) to advance as the top team with eight points. Captain Ludovica Tosini strongly contributed to the Italian victory with 14 points, one more than fellow outside hitter Stella Caruso. Argentina, who advanced in third place, got nine points from outside hitter Helena Cugno.

Despite not getting to progress in first place, Mexico won their last pool match, beating Egypt 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-13) to move forward as the second-best team in the pool. With 15 and 11 points respectively, outside hitters Aitana Tanguma and Karen Gonzalez starred in the Mexican triumph – opposite Yliana Zuñiga also got to double digits, with ten.

Pool D: Japan top Croatia in four sets

Pool D also had an Asian team at the top of the standings as Japan claimed their third victory in Lima by overcoming Croatia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-15, 25-20). Japan had four players scoring in double digits in outside hitters Aileen Mcallister (16) and Saya Nakayama (12), opposite Hikari Kudo (13) and middle blocker Aina Mizokami (13). Outside hitter Leni Ivković and opposite Asja Zolota led the Croatian offense with 12 points each.

With one win in two matches heading into their last pool play match, the Chinese Taipei and Puerto Rico battled for second place and the Asians prevailed 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-20) to finish above their opponents. Captain Chen Pin-Yu had a tremendous performance with 20 points (all in kills), while fellow outside hitter Chen Yi delivered another 15, with 14 kills and one ace.

FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship: results and schedule

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