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Defending U19 World Champions USA Advance to Semifinals
July 11, 2025. – Reigning champions United States will face Poland,
while Türkiye will take on Bulgaria in the semifinals of the 2025
FIVB Girls’ U19 World Championship, set for this Saturday at the
Gradski Vrt Hall in Osijek, Croatia.
USA Secures Semifinal Spot
Italy suffered their first loss of the tournament, falling to the
defending champions United States in a thrilling five-set battle,
3-2 (29-31, 25-23, 25-21, 28-30, 15-8), living up to expectations
with a high-level performance. Despite committing more unforced
errors (29 to Italy’s 25), the Americans outperformed their European
rivals in attack (70-65) and service (8-4), while both teams were
tied in blocks with 17 each.
Eighteen-year-old outside hitter Macaria Spears led the U.S. offense
with 24 points (21 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace). Fellow outside hitter
Suliane Davis (15 attacks, 2 blocks, 2 aces) and middle blocker
Jordan Taylor (12 attacks, 7 blocks) each contributed 19 points.
Opposite hitter Henley Anderson also reached double digits with 17
points (12 attacks, 2 blocks, 3 aces).
“We knew it was going to be a tough match because Italy is a great
team, but we had trained for this moment. We knew how to fight when
it mattered,” said Spears. “Every team will come at us hard because
we’re the defending champions, and we’re prepared for that.”
Mexico Pulls Off Comeback Win Over Belgium
Mexico came from two sets down to celebrate a hard-fought 3-2
(21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-10) victory over Belgium, securing a
matchup with host Croatia in the 9th-place playoffs this Saturday.
Naomi Alejandra Cruz and opposite Aylin Andrea Ravell led Mexico
with 18 points each. Angélica Jazmín Torres added 15 points, and
Aitana Rettke chipped in with 14. On the Belgian side, top scorer
Mila Vlahovic finished with a match-high 22 points.
Mexico held the edge in attacks (61-56) and blocks (9-5), while
Belgium had the advantage in aces (9-8).
Canada Tops Puerto Rico
Canada secured a tight 3-1 (25-21, 15-25, 25-23, 25-14) win over
Puerto Rico in a match to determine placement for the 17th-place
playoff.
Canadian outside hitters Emerson Matthews and Sofia Zabjek led the
scoring with 16 points apiece. For Puerto Rico, opposite Pamela Zoe
Agosto Serrano scored 13 points.
Egypt Outlasts Dominican Republic
Egypt earned the right to face Peru for 21st place on Saturday after
rallying past the Dominican Republic 3-1 (20-25, 25-10, 25-23,
25-15).
The Dominican side will face Tunisia in the match for 23rd place in
the final standings.
Dominican opposite Rayni Merab Mondesí, just 15 years old, was the
match’s top scorer with 19 points.
Schedule Saturday July 12
Semifinals: Türkiye vs Bulgaria and USA vs Poland 21:15 (Local time)
Matches positions 9 – 12: Croacia vs Mexico 21:15 (Local time)
Position 17: Canada vs Spain18:15 (Local time)
Position 19: Puerto Rico vs Chile15:15 (Local time)
Position 23: Tunisia vs Dominican Republic 15:15 (Local time) | 
