The United States triumphed in the 2023 FIVB Girls’ U19 Volleyball World Championship in an unforgettable way as the Americans came back from a two-set deficit to overcome Türkiye in the gold medal match of the tournament, which came to an end in Osijek, Croatia, on Friday.

The Americans recovered from a difficult start to claim a hard-fought 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 15-10) win over the Europeans and take gold in the biennial tournament. Italy earned bronze and also made it to the podium.

The tournament matches are available on the Volleyball World YouTube channel.

With the victory, the United States became the first U19 world champions among the women. The tournament started in 1989, but was played in the U18 age group until 2021 - the Americans had one gold (2019), two silver (2013 and 2015) and one bronze (2021) in the period.

“We thought about the fact that we had nothing to lose,” American head coach Jamie Morrison said. “We knew that Türkiye have a very nice group, and, on the other hand, we are a very young team. This entire tournament we have been getting better, overcoming difficulties. And if we hadn’t done it, we wouldn’t have made it to the final. These girls are one of a kind. It’s an amazing group of individuals that make a great team. We had six days to train and prepare for the tournament, so we were getting better here on the go, day by day, match by match.”

For Türkiye, the silver medal is the third won in the category – the Europeans took gold in 2011 and silver in 2007, on both occasions in the U18 age group.

Star outside hitter Abigail Vander Wal was huge in the American comeback, leading her team with 19 points (15 kills, two aces, two blocks). Middle blocker Favor Anyanwu, with 18 points (11 kills, two aces, five blocks), and outside hitter Teraya Sigler, with 13 (12 kills, one block), also had great performances in the gold medal match.

“We are fighters,” Sigler remarked. “Our coach was always repeating to us that we needed to be ourselves, that there was nobody better, so we gained confidence. We were losing 0-2 and we were playing an amazing team as Türkiye, but we came back. My teammates deserve the world. We have great spirit, and I think volleyball is an emotional sport, a fire, and we are showing it on the court - celebrating, dancing, enjoying.”

Captain Eylul Durgun led Türkiye in the gold medal match with 19 points (16 kills, three blocks), two more than fellow outside hitter Liza Safronova, who registered 14 kills and three blocks. Opposite Beren Yesilirmak added 12 points, with ten kills and two blocks.

The American victory in the gold medal match was built mostly upon the team’s offensive firepower as the USA outscored Türkiye in kills by 61 to 48. The winners also got more aces (five to three), but the Europeans had the edge in blocks (17 to 16) and points scored in opponent errors (30 to 26).

2023 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U19 World Championship: Results

In the bronze medal match, Italy topped Japan in another epic five-set battle to finish third and take bronze in Osijek. The Europeans came from behind twice to secure a 3-2 (19-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-23, 16-14) victory and step on the podium.

Star outside hitter Lisa Esposito carried the Italian offense with a team-high 20 points, while fellow outside hitter Nicole Piomboni and opposite Merit Adigwe added 11 and ten points, respectively. Japan had the two highest-scoring players in the encounter in outside hitter Riri Kasai and Miku Akimoto, who tallied 22 points apiece.

“I am more than happy,” setter Ilaria Batte commented. “It was a really difficult match, but we fought until the very end of it. Japan are a very strong team, but we never gave up. I tried to remain calm during the match, but it wasn't easy. I’m sure that all of my teammates will become great players, this is a great team.”

Co-hosts Croatia finished fifth in the Girls’ U19 World Championship with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-23) victory over Thailand. With 15 points, outside hitter Ana Burilovic played a pivotal role in the Croatian triumph.

South American powerhouse Brazil ranked seventh in the tournament – they overcame Bulgaria 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 25-27, 25-19) to end their campaign on a high. Opposite Larissa Brandão delivered 18 points, two more than outside hitter Rebeca Viana.

Ninth place went to Argentina, who swept China 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21), and Korea finished 11^th after the Asians overcame Poland 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-23).

The Dominican Republic won a five-set battle against NORCECA rivals Puerto Rico 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-12) to rank 13^th, while co-hosts Hungary secured a 15^th-place finish with a 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-17, 25-12) win over Egypt.

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