The United States, China, Chinese Taipei and Türkiye are through to the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship following a quarterfinal round featuring two five-set contests and the end of Korea’s unbeaten campaign.
Chinese Taipei secured their place with a 3-2 victory over Thailand. After losing the opening set 15-25, they responded by taking two closely fought sets before Thailand won the fourth to force a decider. Chinese Taipei then pulled clear in the fifth, winning 15-7. Chang Yun-Chen led Chinese Taipei with 25 points, while Chen Ting-Yi and Cheng Yung-Yu contributed 15 each. Thailand’s Natthamon Ajchua topped the match scoring with 32 points.
Defending champions China were also pushed to five sets by Croatia. China established a 2-0 lead, but Croatia responded by winning the third and fourth sets. The champions regained control in the tiebreak, taking it 15-7 to keep their title defense alive. Ren Sichen scored a team-high 15 points for China, with Chen Ruihan adding 14. Croatia’s Erin Ivezić finished with 33 points, the highest individual total of the quarterfinal round.
Türkiye advanced by defeating previously unbeaten Korea 3-1. Korea claimed the first set, but Türkiye turned the match around by edging the second 27-25 before taking the third and fourth. Zeynep Doğa Alpay led Türkiye with 20 points, while Ecrin Selis Türkyaşar had 18 and Nejla Guzonjic 17. Türkiye dominated at the net with 21 blocks to Korea’s four.
The United States completed the semifinal lineup with a 3-0 win over Italy. USA controlled the first two sets before holding off a stronger Italian challenge in the third, winning 26-24 to maintain their record of not dropping a set in the tournament. Kari Knotts scored 19 points for the Americans, including six aces. Maya Ogbogu added 13 and Julia Masselink finished with 12.
USA will face defending champions China in the first semifinal, followed by Chinese Taipei against Türkiye.
Quarterfinal Results
- Chinese Taipei 3-2 Thailand (15-25, 26-24, 29-27, 22-25, 15-7)
- China 3-2 Croatia (25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 15-7)
- Türkiye 3-1 Korea (21-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-17)
- USA 3-0 Italy (25-10, 25-15, 26-24)
