USA and China keep set-perfect runs as unbeaten field narrows in Chile

USA continued to set the pace in Pool A with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-19) victory over Chile at National Stadium Park court 1 in Santiago, extending their run to nine consecutive sets won since the start of the tournament.

The Americans established control quickly with a 25-14 opening set before Chile made them work harder in the second. The hosts stayed within reach, but USA held them off 25-21 and carried that momentum into the third to complete their third straight sweep.

Taylor Johnson led USA with 14 points, while Lexi Coleman added 13 and Peyton Smith finished with 12. USA produced 47 attack points to go with seven blocks and seven aces, another balanced performance after straight-set wins over Egypt and Türkiye in their first two matches.

• Watch the Girls' U17 World Championship on Volleyball World's YouTube channel

Czechia kept pace with USA at the top of Pool A, although Thailand pushed them across four sets. After taking the opener 25-23, Czechia dropped the second 17-25 before responding with another 25-23 win in the third and closing the match 25-22 for a 3-1 victory. Middle blocker Capova led Czechia with 23 points as they extended their unbeaten start to three matches.

Türkiye also returned to winning ways after Friday’s loss to USA, sweeping Egypt 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19). USA and Czechia remain the two unbeaten teams in Pool A, with the Americans holding the edge after going nine sets without a loss.

China have been just as efficient in Pool B, where the defending champions made it three straight sweeps with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-13) victory over Venezuela in San Felipe. After taking the first two sets by identical scores, China pulled away decisively in the third to complete another straight-set win.

Chen Xinyi led China with 14 points, Zhao Yuhan added 13 and Niu Sidi scored 12. China were especially effective at the net, finishing with 15 blocks, including four from Zhao, as they matched USA with nine sets played and nine won.

The Philippines also made it back-to-back wins in Pool B, following their breakthrough victory over Mexico on Friday with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-16) sweep of Tunisia. Peru needed five sets to collect their second win, overcoming Mexico 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10). China remain alone at the top of the pool, with the Philippines and Peru both carrying two wins into the rest day.

Unlike USA and China, Poland have had to navigate longer matches to preserve their unbeaten record in Pool C. One day after being pushed to five sets by Brazil, the Poles again found themselves behind after Japan took the opening set 25-22.

Poland responded by squeezing out the second 25-23 and then took complete command, overwhelming Japan 25-7 in the third. Japan offered more resistance in the fourth, but Poland closed it 25-21 for a 3-1 victory and their third win of the tournament.

Aleksandra Wika led Poland with 17 points, with Hanna Derczyńska adding 14 and Klaudia Bladocha 11. Poland remain the only unbeaten team in Pool C after three days.

Argentina moved to two wins with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-20) victory over continental rivals Brazil, while Croatia also collected their second by beating Spain 3-1 (29-27, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19). Those results left Argentina and Croatia chasing Poland at the top of the pool.

Pool D provided Saturday’s only head-to-head meeting between unbeaten teams, with Korea and Italy arriving in Los Andes having won their opening two matches. Korea quickly took the upper hand, winning the first two sets 25-14 and 25-19 before Italy responded with a dominant 25-13 third set.

Korea recovered in the fourth, taking it 25-20 to complete a 3-1 victory and emerge as the pool’s only unbeaten team.

Son Seoyeon delivered another big performance with 23 points, including 20 in attack, while Eo Minseo added 17, while Italy’s Hillary Uwadiae made 22 on a losing effort. Son’s latest performance took her tournament total to 68 points through three matches, putting her at the top of the scoring chart after the third day.

Puerto Rico picked up their second win after a five-set battle with Chinese Taipei, recovering from the loss of the opening set to prevail 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 18-25, 15-12). The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, collected their first victory with a 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-17) sweep of Algeria.

USA, Czechia, China, Poland and Korea head into Sunday’s rest day as the tournament’s five remaining unbeaten teams, with pool play resuming Monday, August 10.

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship
FIVB Junior World Champs Instagram
Volleyball World YouTube
Subscribe to Volleyball World's Newsletter