Argentina, China, Japan stay unbeaten, reach Women’s U21 quarterfinals

Defending champions China, along with Argentina and Japan, kept their perfect records intact Wednesday to headline the quarterfinal field at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship. In a full day of action at the JAWA POS Arena, Gelora Pancasila and Samator Healthporia Volleyball Hall.

Brazil, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland also booked their places in the last eight, while Canada, Vietnam, Dominican Republic and Chile claimed wins in the 17th–24th place classification playoffs.

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China set the tone for the knockout stage with a commanding 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-19) victory over Thailand. Middle blocker Li Hanyu dominated the early exchanges with quick kills and four blocks in the first two sets, before captain Li Chenxuan took over in the third, finishing with 15 points. Thailand fought to stay in touch, with Kanchana Sisaikaeo scoring 12 and Warisara Seetaloed adding 11, but the defending champions’ low-error game and disciplined net defense ensured a smooth passage to the next round.

Following China’s example, Argentina dismantled Czechia in straight sets, 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-19), to keep their own unbeaten streak alive. Martina Bednarek, returning after missing the final pool match, made her presence felt with 17 points, including four blocks, while Maria Bernardita Aguilar Toranza contributed 13. Czechia’s top scorer Bara Rejmanova was held to just 10 points as Argentina’s eight aces and 12 blocks dictated the pace from start to finish.

Japan faced the day’s toughest test among the undefeated teams, dropping a set in their 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17) win over Croatia. Sae Omori led the way with 17 points, supported by Ichiyo Ito with 11 and Miina Inoue with 10. Croatia battled hard behind Asja Zolota’s match-high 26 points and Tonka Bosnjak’s 15, but Japan’s fast transitions and error-free play in the last two sets proved decisive.

As the quarterfinal field began to take shape, Brazil rebounded from their pool-stage loss to Japan with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-17) win over Korea. The South Americans were pushed to the limit in the first set before pulling away, then tightened their blocking to shut down the Korean attack. Aline Segato Maestri scored 15 points, Rebeca Borges Viana added 14, and Giovana Guimaraes Pires and Helena Wenk Hoengen also reached double figures. Korea could not get a scorer into double digits as Brazil’s 15 blocks, 10 from Giovana and Rebeca combined, proved decisive.

Türkiye joined them in the next round with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-10) sweep of Serbia. Defne Basyolcu powered the attack with 17 points, while Liza Safronova added 13. Serbia’s Bojana Ristanovic and Teodora Skocajic managed nine apiece, but they were undone by Türkiye’s early momentum in the first set, a narrow miss in the second, and a dominant close in the third.

Bulgaria produced one of the day’s upsets, toppling the United States 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15). Iva Dudova tallied 14 points and captain Viktoria Koeva chipped in 13, combining sharp hitting with strong blocking. Henley Anderson led the Americans with 10 points, but Bulgaria’s serve-and-block pressure after a tight opening set left USA chasing the match.

Italy had to withstand the energy of the home crowd before defeating hosts Indonesia 3-1 (25-12, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13). Merit Adigwe was unstoppable with 27 points, including seven blocks, while Linda Manfredini added 15. Pascalina Mahuze gave Indonesia hope with 15 points and led a spirited third-set win, but Italy’s height and control at the net reasserted themselves in the fourth.

Poland closed out the day’s Round of 16 play with a controlled 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13) victory over Puerto Rico. Anna Fiedorowicz led with 14 points, while Julia Hewelt and Aleksandra Adamczyk each had 13. Puerto Rico’s Chareika Carrion Gonzalez was their top scorer with 10, but Poland’s blocking and floor defense kept the Caribbean side from mounting sustained runs.

In the classification playoffs, Canada cruised past Algeria 3-0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-18) with Logan King, Elodie Lalonde and Claire Carter all in double figures and a service game that produced nine aces. Vietnam battled past Egypt 3-1 (25-16, 26-24, 22-25, 25-20) behind the combined 41 points of Bui Thi Anh Thao and Le Thuy Linh, holding off a strong effort from Malak Elbehiry, who scored 17.

The Dominican Republic relied on Virelys Shantal Rivera Soto’s 21 points and Glorybell Puente Estrella’s blocking to sweep Tunisia, while Chile’s blend of consistent attacking and strong serving earned a 3-0 win over Mexico, paced by Petra Schwartzman Hechenleitner’s 14 points.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship: full schedule

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