Poland hold firm as unbeaten quartet leads pools in Chile

Poland remained unbeaten at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship on Monday, defeating Croatia in straight sets as the United States, China and Korea also improved to 4-0 to remain atop their respective pools with one preliminary round match left.

After being pushed to five sets by Brazil and four by Japan in their previous two matches, Poland returned from the rest day with a more controlled performance. They took command early against Croatia, winning the opening set 25-14 before maintaining the pressure with a 25-16 second set and closing the match 25-18 in the third.

Hanna Derczyńska led Poland with 11 points, while captain Aleksandra Wika and Klaudia Bladocha added 10 each. Poland’s blocking made a significant difference, with the Pool C leaders holding a 9-0 advantage at the net and Bladocha accounting for five blocks.

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Japan moved into second place with a 3-1 (27-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-23) win over Argentina. The opening set went beyond 25 before Japan took it 27-25, and they followed with a more comfortable second set. Argentina responded in the third, but Japan closed out a tight fourth to secure their second victory.

Miko Takahashi led Japan with 23 points, including 19 attacks, two blocks and two aces, while captain Ren Sugimoto scored 18 and Reina Nakagawa added 15. Argentina’s Catalina Borrero Müller finished as the match’s leading scorer with 34 points, 32 of them in attack, but Japan had the broader scoring contribution and finished with 63 attack points to Argentina’s 56.

Spain also earned their second victory, edging Brazil 3-2 (22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 26-28, 15-13). Poland lead the pool with 11 points, followed by Japan with seven and Argentina with six heading into the final round of preliminary matches.

In Pool A, the United States continued its unbeaten run with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-16) victory over Thailand, improving to 4-0 with a maximum 12 points. Julia Masselink led the Americans with 17 points, including 11 attacks and five aces, while Peyton Smith added 12 and Kari Knotts finished with 11. The United States recorded 39 attack points, 12 blocks and nine aces, with captain Enger contributing three blocks.

Behind them, Türkiye handed Czechia its first loss with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-17) victory. Çağla Çağlayandere and Zeynep Doğa Alpay led Türkiye with 14 points each, while captain Ecrin Selis Türkyaşar added 11. Türkiye held a 14-6 advantage in blocks, with Zeynep Bezircioğlu accounting for six, as the result moved Türkiye level with Czechia on three wins and nine points. Türkiye sit second on set ratio. Chile also picked up its first win, defeating Egypt 3-1 (22-25, 25-10, 25-20, 25-20).

China matched the United States in Pool B, extending its unbeaten run to four matches without conceding a set after a 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-17) win over Mexico. Niu Sidi led China with 15 points, while Zhao Yuhan added 12 and Ren Sichen finished with 10. China recorded seven blocks and 11 aces in the victory.

Peru moved into second place with a 3-1 (26-28, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20) victory over the Philippines, while Venezuela swept Tunisia 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-21). China lead Pool B with 12 points, followed by Peru with eight and Venezuela with seven. The Philippines dropped to fourth place in Pool B.

Korea also preserved its unbeaten record in Pool D, defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17) to move to four wins and 12 points. Captain Son Seoyeon led Korea with 23 points, including 20 attacks, while Jang Suin added 14 and Eo Minseo scored 12. Korea finished with 51 attack points, 11 blocks and seven aces.

Italy followed with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-15) victory over Puerto Rico, responding to its loss to Korea before the rest day. Hillary Uwadiae led Italy with 19 points, including 18 attacks, while Sveva Terzi added 13 and Matilde Borello scored 10. Italy produced 46 attack points to Puerto Rico’s 25 and held a 10-4 advantage in blocks.

Chinese Taipei rounded out the Pool D winners with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-9) victory over Algeria. Korea lead the pool with 12 points, followed by Italy with nine and Chinese Taipei with seven

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