The final edition of the Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC) is scheduled from July 4-7 in Asia, hosted by Linyi, China, and Manila, Philippines, for the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively. The event will feature eight national teams in each gender, competing in a single-elimination format to secure a spot in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
Men’s Tournament Highlights:
- China vs. Mexico: Hosting at home, China will rely on their key player, outside hitter Zhang Jingyin, as they face Mexico in the quarterfinals. Mexico, on the other hand, will be led by their outside hitter and captain, Mauro Fuentes.
- Belgium vs. Croatia: Belgium’s opposite Ferre Reggers will go head-to-head with Croatia’s high-scoring opposite Petar Đirlić.
- Ukraine vs. Chile: Key players include outside hitters Evheniy Kisilyuk (Ukraine) and Dusan Bonacic (Chile).
- Egypt vs. Qatar: Featuring Olympic-bound opposite Reda Haikal (Egypt) and setter Borislav Georgiev (Qatar).
Women’s Tournament Highlights:
- Belgium vs. Sweden: Belgium will feature top scorer Britt Herbots, while Sweden will rely on outside hitter Anna Haak.
- Puerto Rico vs. Kenya: Puerto Rico, captained by libero Shara Venegas, will face Kenya, led by opposite Sharon ‘Chumba’ Kiprono.
- Czechia vs. Argentina: Czechia’s captain Michaela Mlejnkova will face Argentina’s setter Victoria Mayer.
- Philippines vs. Vietnam: The Philippines’ setter Julia ‘Jia’ De Guzman will compete against Vietnam’s popular outside hitter Tran Thi Thanh Thuy.
