Italy, USA and China lead six teams with two-for-two records in Chile

Italy, the USA and China kept their perfect starts rolling on Friday, with Czechia, Poland and Korea joining them with two wins from two matches as the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship delivered another lively day of action across Chile.

Italy stayed perfect in Pool D with a 3-1 (25-18, 27-29, 25-23, 25-20) win over the Dominican Republic. Hillary Uwadiae led Italy with 26 points, including 20 attacks, two blocks and four aces, while Sveva Terzi added 16. Dominican Republic captain Rayni Merab Mondesi finished with 23 points.

Korea kept pace with Italy by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-13, 25-15). Captain Son Seoyeon followed her 28-point opening-day performance with 17 points, taking her tournament total to 45 through two matches. Italy and Korea ended the day level on six points, with Italy holding first place in Pool D.

Puerto Rico also got its first win on the board with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-6, 25-18) victory over Algeria.

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Over in Pool A, the USA made it two straight wins without dropping a set, sweeping Türkiye 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-17). Maya Ogbogu led the Americans with 14 points, including five blocks, while Kari Knotts added 13. The USA finished with 11 blocks and eight aces.

Czechia joined the USA at 2-0 with a 3-1 (25-13, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21) win over Egypt. Emma Svecova scored 20 points and Viktorie Mertova added 18, while Egypt's Karma Badawy (Mon3em) led all scorers with 23.

Thailand earned its first victory with a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15) win over host Chile, leaving the USA first in Pool A ahead of Czechia.

Defending champions China were just as convincing in Pool B, staying perfect with a 3-0 (25-8, 25-10, 25-14) victory over Tunisia. Chen Xinyi led China with 17 points, scoring on 14 of 16 attacks, while Niu Sidi added 14. China has yet to drop a set through its first two matches.

Pool B also produced a milestone for the Philippines, who celebrated their first World Championship victory with a 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-23) win over Mexico. Caera Celis delivered 24 points, including 22 attacks, after also leading all scorers with 13 points against China on opening day.

Venezuela completed the Pool B winners with a 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-20) victory over Peru.

The day's biggest battle came in Pool C, where Poland had to go five sets to preserve its unbeaten start. After Brazil took the opener and later forced a tiebreaker, Poland came through 3-2 (22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 23-25, 15-10).

Captain Wika delivered 31 points, including 27 attacks, while Zuzanna Lange added 11 as Poland moved to two wins and five points at the top of the pool.

Argentina swept Spain 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-22), while Japan picked up its first victory with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-18) win over Croatia.

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