U.S. Girls U19 Squad Closes Out 2025 Worlds Pool Play in Style with Commanding Victory Over Türkiye…Read More…
July 8, 2025 | Warsaw, Poland — The U.S. Girls U19 National Volleyball Team delivered a thrilling finale to their 2025 FIVB U19 World Championship pool campaign with a confident and commanding victory over Türkiye, cementing their spot among the top contenders heading into the knockout rounds. The American squad took the match in straight sets (25–18, 25–21, 25–19), showcasing their depth, resilience, and unity after an already impressive pool stage.
The showdown, held in a buzzing arena in Warsaw, saw the U.S. squad take the court with poise and determination, knowing that a strong performance would secure them a high seeding in the upcoming Round of 16. Türkiye, always a formidable opponent with their aggressive serves and tight net play, tested the Americans early, but the red, white, and blue responded with sharp execution and a calm under pressure that belied their youth.
First Set: Statement Start
From the first whistle, the Americans came out swinging, literally and figuratively. Outside hitter Lana Bennett set the tone with three thunderous kills in the first five rallies, igniting the U.S. bench and sending an early message to Türkiye. Setter Kaitlyn Ramirez orchestrated the offense with the precision of a veteran, spreading sets across all hitting options and keeping the Turkish blockers guessing.
A 7–2 U.S. run midway through the set was highlighted by a sensational diving save from libero Aria Kim, followed by a quick-set kill from middle blocker Tasha Nguyen. Türkiye mounted a brief comeback to close within four points, but two service aces from Bennett and a key block from Jayda Collins sealed the first set 25–18.
Second Set: Türkiye Pushes Back
The second set brought more resistance from the Turkish side, led by their standout opposite Elif Aslan, who notched six kills and two aces in the frame. Türkiye managed to lead briefly at 11–10, capitalizing on a few unforced errors by the Americans.
But once again, the U.S. regrouped. Head coach Jamie Morrison, in his second year at the helm of the U19 team, called a timely timeout to refocus his squad. “We got back to our fundamentals,” Morrison said post-match. “We talked about ball control and trusting each other’s coverage.”
The reset worked wonders. Ramirez connected brilliantly with Collins on several quick-tempo middle attacks, while Bennett and opposite hitter Nina Hall took over the wing attacks. A service run from defensive specialist Jordyn Miller helped the U.S. reclaim momentum, and they surged ahead to take the set 25–21.
Third Set: Closing with Confidence
With the match in their grasp, the Americans opened the third set firing on all cylinders. Nguyen and Collins dominated the net defensively, notching three stuff blocks in the opening six points. Türkiye appeared increasingly fatigued as the U.S. kept applying pressure from both service line and attack.
The bench also got a chance to contribute, with Morrison subbing in Rachel Soto and Aliyah Thompson, who immediately made an impact. Soto recorded a momentum-shifting block, while Thompson tallied back-to-back kills to widen the gap late in the set.
The U.S. closed out the match with a resounding 25–19 win, punctuated by a service ace from Miller that sent the bench into celebration mode. It was a fitting end to a well-rounded team effort.
Coach Morrison Praises Team Unity
“Every player stepped up tonight,” Morrison said in his post-match interview. “What I’m proud of most is how we responded to Türkiye’s pressure in the second set. We stayed composed, made adjustments, and didn’t lose sight of our goals.”
He also highlighted the growth of the team throughout pool play: “Each match, we’ve gotten better. Our chemistry is improving, our communication is crisp, and the girls are really trusting each other. That’s dangerous for our opponents.”
Player Spotlight: Lana Bennett
While the entire roster shone, outside hitter Lana Bennett was a clear standout. She finished with a team-high 16 points, including 12 kills, 2 blocks, and 2 aces. Her energy, poise, and leadership were instrumental throughout the match.
“I just wanted to play my role and give energy to my team,” Bennett said. “When we’re having fun and playing together, it’s hard to stop us.”
What’s Next?
With pool play now complete, Team USA advances to the knockout phase where the competition will intensify. As one of the top-ranked finishers in their group, they are expected to face a third-place team from another pool in the Round of 16.
Their undefeated run in pool play—marked by decisive victories over Argentina, Serbia, Egypt, and now Türkiye—makes them one of the early favorites to reach the semifinals, if not the final.
Still, Morrison remains grounded. “We haven’t done anything yet,” he cautioned. “This was just the first phase. Now, every match is do or die, and we need to stay hungry.”
Final Thoughts
The U.S. Girls U19 National Team is proving to be a force in Warsaw, blending raw talent with tactical discipline and emotional maturity. As they march into the elimination rounds, fans back home and in Poland are taking notice.
With the world watching and momentum on their side, this young but hungry team may just be poised to bring home the gold.
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