Japan overcame Italy to claim U20 crown

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, July 21, 2019 –Japan made an astonishing comeback to edge Italy 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 15-12) claiming the gold medal at the 2019 FIVB U20 Women’s World Championship on Sunday night.

Mayu Ishikawa and Haruna Soga each contributed 18 points to the thrilling victory. Fatim Kone and NKemdilim Enweonwu finished with 18 and 16 for Italy.

Positions 3-4

Russia had to battle hard before winning the bronze medal with a 3-1 (25-22, 26-28, 25-19, 29-27) victory over Turkey. Yulia Brovkina and Ekaterina Pipunyrova finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively, for Russia. Derya Cebecioglu had 26 for Turkey.

Positions 5-6

Poland edged Brazil 3-2 (25-19, 17-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-10). Zuzanna Gorecka had 19 points for Poland and Isy Nascimento had a match-high 23 points for Brazil.

Positions 7-8

China swept United States 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-20). Yizhu Wang had 18 points for China, while Skylar Fields and Jenna Weenas each had 9 for the losers.

Positions 9-10

Serbia beat host Mexico 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-22). Milika Milunovic and Veronika Djokic scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the best scorers of Serbia. Uxue Guereca and Melanie Parra had 17 and 11 for Mexico.

Positions 11-12

Argentina defeated Peru 3-1 (25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 26-24). Martina Delucchi and Sol Salinas Candelas recorded 23 and 18 points for the winners, while Giulia Montalbetti and Kiara Montes each had 13 for the losers.

Positions 13-14

Dominican Republic defeated Cuba 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-22). Natalia Martínez was the best Dominican with 10 points, followed by Flormarie Heredia and Madeline Guillén each with 9. Ailama Cesé finished with 12 for Cuba.

Positions 15-16

In a battle between African teams, Egypt swept Rwanda 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 26-24). ZHaila Elelemy and Hadeer Ewais led Egypt with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Munezero Valentine and Olive Nzamukosha had 18 points apiece for Rwanda.