CHILE, august 15, 2026.- Türkiye get another shot against the only team to beat them in Chile, with USA taking an unblemished set record into the title match.
USA ended China’s reign as FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 world champions with a commanding straight-sets semifinal win on Saturday, while Türkiye swept Chinese Taipei to set up a second meeting between the two teams, this time with the title on the line.
USA defeated defending champions China 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-19), extending a run that has taken them through the tournament without dropping a set.
Kari Knotts led the scoring with 19 points, including 18 attacks, while Maya Ogbogu added 15 points. Maija Mortensen finished with nine points and accounted for six of USA’s nine blocks. The numbers reflected USA’s control of the semifinal, with a 44-19 advantage in attack points and a 9-2 edge in blocks.
China, champions of the inaugural Girls’ U17 World Championship in 2024, struggled to find a way through the USA defense. Chen Ruihan led the defending champions with eight points as their title defense came to an end in Santiago.
Türkiye secured the other place in the final with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-22) victory over Chinese Taipei.
The result gives Türkiye another opportunity against USA, the only team to defeat them at this World Championship. The two sides first met on the second day of Pool A, when USA won in straight sets.
USA and Türkiye will meet for the Girls’ U17 World Championship title on Sunday at 19:00 local time at National Stadium Park. China and Chinese Taipei will play for bronze at 16:00.
Mondesi, rewrote the tournament scoring record
The day’s biggest individual performance came from Rayni Mondesi, who rewrote the tournament scoring record as the Dominican Republic survived a five-set battle with Argentina. Mondesi scored 45 points, including 42 in attack and three aces, in the 3-2 (25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 17-25, 17-15) victory.
The Dominican Republic had taken a two-set lead before Argentina forced a deciding fifth, where Mondesi and her teammates closed out the match 17-15.
Now the Dominican Republic is playing for ninth place against Poland
Mexico claimed 19th and Puerto Rico secured 21st
Mexico claimed 19th with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-22) victory over Tunisia, Puerto Rico secured 21st by defeating hosts Chile 3-0 (25-10, 25-23, 25-13).
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