Four Asian Teams Qualify For 2017 FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship

Four Asian squads qualified for the 2017 FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship that will take place in Argentina from August 18-27.

Japan was able to take down China in three sets 3-0, (25-16, 25-9, 32-30) to win their sixth consecutive “SMM” 11th Asian Girls’ U18 Volleyball Championship at the Chongqing No. 8 Secondary School Gymnasium.

Japan def. China 3-0, (25-16, 25-9, 32-30)

The first set of the match went all in the favor of Japan, who took an early 8-4 lead and continued to keep it the remainder of the set, before going up 1-0 with a 15-16 win. Japan was too strong for China in the second, with China committing a number of unforced errors in the rout of a 25-9 dominant second set for Japan.

The third set was much different, with China holding onto the lead for the majority of the set. Late, Japan forged ahead to a 20-18 lead, then it was a trade off of points until the end. With the score tied up at 30-30, Japan got kills from Yuki Nishikawa to edge China 32-30.

Nishikawa scored a match-best 19 points for Japan, earning MVP and Best Outside Spiker. Teammate Soga Haruna added another 17 points, while Sun Xiaoxuan led China with 12 points.

Korea def. Thailand 3-0, (25-17, 25-17, 28-26)

In the bronze medal match Korea was able to roll right through Thailand in a sweep 3-0, (25-17, 25-17, 28-26).

The first two sets of the match were all in Korea’s control, each ending in 25-17 scores, while the third posed a much greater challenge for Korea. Thailand held a comfortable 16-11 lead over Korea, taking advantage of unforced errors on Korea’s side of the net.

Korea never gave in, tightening up the match and eventually tying it at 20 all. It was a back and forth fight until the last point, when Korea took the set and match at 28-26.

Final Team Rankings

1. Japan……qualified for 2017 FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship in Argentina
2. China….qualified
3. Korea…..qualified
4. Thailand….qualified
5. Chinese Taipei
6. Hong Kong
7. Australia
8. New Zealand
9. Iran
10. Uzbekistan
11. Samoa

Individual Awards

Best setter: Zhang Zhihan (China)
Best outside spikers: Park Hyemin (Korea), Yuki Nishikawa (Japan)
Best middle blockers: Mao Junyi (China), Lee Juah (Korea)
Best libero: Rena Mizusugi (Japan)
Best opposite spiker: Sun Xiaoxuan (China)
MVP: Yuki Nishikawa (Japan)