USA brought China’s title defense to an end with a dominant semifinal performance at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship, setting up a gold-medal clash with Türkiye.
The Americans powered past China in straight sets, winning 25-13, 25-15, 25-19 to continue their flawless run in Chile. USA will head into final having yet to concede a set in the tournament.
Kari Knotts was the leading scorer for USA with 19 points, 18 of them in attack. Maya Ogbogu contributed 15 points, while Maija Mortensen added nine and led the team’s work at the net with six blocks.
USA dictated the semifinal in both attack and defense, finishing with a 44-19 advantage in attacking points and outblocking China 9-2. China, who won the inaugural Girls’ U17 world title in 2024, were unable to build sustained pressure against the American defense. Chen Ruihan led the defending champions with eight points as their bid to retain the trophy ended in Santiago.
Türkiye Power Past Chinese Taipei
Türkiye joined USA in the final after completing their own straight-sets semifinal victory, defeating Chinese Taipei 25-15, 25-22, 25-22. The Turkish side controlled the opening set before being pushed harder in the second and third. Chinese Taipei remained competitive in both, but Türkiye delivered in the decisive moments to close out the match without dropping a set.
Zeynep Doğa Alpay paced Türkiye with 15 points. Nejla Guzonjic finished with 12, while Ecrin Selis Türkyaşar contributed 11.
Türkiye were particularly dominant at the net, scoring 17 points from blocks. Chinese Taipei failed to register a blocking point, with Guzonjic alone producing six blocks for the winners.
Sunday’s final will give Türkiye an opportunity to avenge their only defeat of the tournament. USA beat the Turkish side in straight sets during Pool A and have remained perfect since. Türkiye have responded strongly to that early setback and now get another chance against the Americans with the world title at stake.
Semifinal Results
USA 3-0 China — 25-13, 25-15, 25-19
Türkiye 3-0 Chinese Taipei — 25-15, 25-22, 25-22
Medal Matches
Bronze medal: China vs Chinese Taipei
Final: USA vs Türkiye
