USA continue to roll and beat Czechia to advance in first place

USA continue to roll and beat Czechia

to advance in first place

Their victory also qualified Slovenia, which are set to play in the elimination rounds in their first appearance in the tournament

The United States passed their first test at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship with flying colors on Tuesday, when they ended pool play as the top team in Pool D following a victory over Czechia in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Set to move to Bangkok, where the elimination rounds will be played, the Americans produced a strong comeback in the first set and built from it in their farewell match in the city to take Czechia down 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-15) and continue undefeated in the tournament.

The three points earned against the Czechs confirmed the Americans as the top team in Pool D ahead of the start of the elimination rounds, as they reached nine points in the standings. The result also qualified rookies Slovenia, which defeated Argentina 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21) earlier on Tuesday and got to four points, but still depended on a Czech defeat to advance.

Americans and Slovenians will meet teams coming from Pool E in the Round of 16 on Monday, in Bangkok. Türkiye and Canada are already confirmed to advance from the pool and their encounter on Wednesday, at 16:00 local time (9:00 GMT), will determine the matchups – the winners will play Slovenia and the losers will face the USA.

Olympic medalist Avery Skinner led the Americans against the Czechs, producing a team-high 15 points with 13 kills, one block and one ace. Fellow outside hitter Sarah Franklin added 12 (all in kills), while middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu tallied ten (seven kills, two blocks, one ace).

“We’re happy to have qualified, our pool was difficult to get out and I’m really proud that we did it with three wins,” Skinner reacted. “The Czechs started very well and we just weathered the storm. We knew they were a good team and just stuck to our game plan. We need to keep that mentality because every match is important and every opponent will give their best against us.”