OSIJEK, Croatia — Former Crestview High School All-Ohioan and University of Pittsburgh freshman Abbey Emch got a medal in her first international volleyball competition.

Emch is one of 12 players on the United States Girls U19 National Team that earned the silver medal at the 2025 Girls U19 World Championship after falling in the final to Bulgaria, 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 29-27) on Sunday.

The U.S. has medaled in the last four World Championships for the age group. The 2023 World Championship, where the team won gold, was the first one contested as a U19 championship. Previously, FIVB held Worlds as a U18 event, and the U.S. won bronze in 2021 and gold in 2019.

The match was close statistically as the U.S. finished with a one-point advantage in kills (46-45) and blocks (11-10), while Bulgaria served eight aces compared to five for the U.S. The key statistic was Bulgaria committing 14 fewer errors (37-23).

It is the first time in Bulgaria won a World Championship title in women’s volleyball at any age category and the first women’s team to become world champion across all team sports in Bulgaria.

The U.S. finished with a 6-3 record in the tournament, two of the losses to Bulgaria.

Outside hitter Suli Davis led the U.S. in points (17), kills (13), aces (3), digs (16) and successful receptions (4). Libero Lily Hayes finished with 14 digs.

Outside Cari Spears totaled 12 points on 10 kills and two blocks, while middle blocker Jordan Taylor shared match-high honors with four blocks to go with seven kills for 11 points.

Six-foot-three middle blocker Abbey Emch made some big plays in big moments to finish with four points on three kills and a block

The U.S. led the entire first set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. A Davis kill extended the lead to six, 10-4. Spears and Davis provided back-to-back kills to make it 14-7 and force Bulgaria to use its final timeout. Bulgaria used a late 7-2 run to cut the margin to three points, 23-20, but kills by Anderson and Davis sealed the opening set.

Davis led all players in the with six points on four kills, a block and an ace. Taylor scored five points on three kills and two blocks. The U.S. doubled Bulgaria’s kill total in the set, 14-7.

Bulgaria scored seven consecutive points to break a 7-7 tie and take early control of the second set. The U.S. got no closer than five points. Davis and Spears each scored three points on kills.

Bulgaria never trailed in the third set, using a 5-0 run to take a 7-2 lead. After the U.S. closed the gap to four points, 13-9, Bulgaria scored the next seven points. Davis scored three points.

The U.S. fell behind 7-4 in the fourth set before using a 5-2 run to even the score at nine apiece on Kelly Kinney kill off hands. A Davis ace and a Taylor block gave the U.S. a three-point lead 13-10 but Bulgaria went on a 10-1 run. The U.S. responded with its own 10-3 run to earn set point on a block by Taylor.

Each team had two set points before Bulgaria converted on its third set point with a block to capture the gold medal.

In Sunday’s third-place match, Poland swept Turkey 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) for the bronze medal. There were 24 teams in the tournament.

In a semifinal Saturday, U.S. defeated Poland 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-19).

Outside hitter Suli Davis led the U.S. with 18 points on 13 kills, three blocks and two aces. Opposite Henley Anderson had six kills, three blocks and two aces for 11 points, and middle blocker Jordan Taylor had seven kills and one block for eight points.

Gabrielle Nichols and Cari Spears also scored eight points, with Nichols collecting four kills, three blocks and an ace, and Spears notching six kills, one block and an ace. Devyn Wiest had one ace.

The Turkish Women’s National Volleyball Team is bracing for a fierce quarterfinal clash against Japan in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, a matchup rich with both tactical nuance and emotional stakes.

Set for July 24, at the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland, the encounter pits the 2023 champions, known as the “Sultans of the Net,” against one of the tournament’s most technically polished teams.

While the winner advances to the semifinals to face either Brazil or Germany, the tension runs deeper than the bracket.

Japan’s head coach, Ferhat Akbaş, knows his opponents all too well.

The Turkish tactician, also the coach of Turkish club giants Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and brings a deep understanding of the very system he’s now plotting to outwit.

His inside knowledge of Türkiye’s top players and style adds a layer of intrigue few matchups can offer.

Türkiye enter the knockout stage after finishing the expanded preliminary round with eight wins and four losses, securing the sixth seed out of 18 teams.

Their journey across host cities – from Istanbul and Ottawa to Beijing and Belgrade – was marked by consistency, grit, and the leadership of seasoned veterans like captain Eda Erdem, dynamic outside hitter Hande Baladın, and the explosive Melissa Vargas.

This year’s VNL, the seventh edition of the tournament, features an expanded field with no relegation from 2024.

Newcomers Czechia and Belgium joined the fray, with the former qualifying through the 2024 Challenger Cup and the latter earning their spot based on FIVB rankings.

Japan, meanwhile, looked sharp throughout the preliminary phase, finishing third overall.

Known for their speed, tight formations, and nearly flawless defense, they rely heavily on stars like Sarina Koga and Mayu Ishikawa.

Their silver-medal finish in 2024, where they fell to Italy in the final, showed they are more than capable of going the distance.

The quarterfinal clash against Türkiye will test Japan’s system like few matches have.

While their fast-paced offense and disciplined backcourt are strengths, the physicality of Türkiye’s front line and the firepower Vargas brings at the net could stretch their limits.

The psychological edge may rest with Akbaş’s knowledge, but Türkiye’s experience in pressure situations could be the difference.

Elsewhere in the quarterfinals, Italy, the 2024 champions, face eighth-seeded U.S.

Brazil, one of the tournament’s most consistent performers, takes on Germany, while host nation Poland, who earned their spot with a fourth-place finish, goes up against China.

For Türkiye, a victory over Japan would mark a return to the semifinals and put them two wins away from reclaiming their title.

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The Cuban duo of beach volleyball composed of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo achieved a historic victory at the Moscow stop of the Russian national championship this Saturday, defeating the locals Oleg Stoyanovski and Ilya Leshukov in a thrilling final, one of the most feared pairs on the European circuit.

According to the specialized page CubanSp1ke on Facebook, the Cubans started the match with an impeccable performance, dominating the first set 21-11. However, the Russians responded strongly in the second set, which they won 21-16.

Everything was decided in a tense tiebreak filled with refereeing controversy, where Díaz and Alayo managed to stay focused to seal the victory 15-12 and take the title.

Four titles in Russia and notable growth

With this victory in the Russian capital, the Caribbean players now have four titles in Russia: Moscow and Kazan in the national league, as well as gold in the Russian Cup and the prestigious Sirius tournament, the mentioned source stated.

The Eurasian country, which has welcomed them with enthusiasm and respect, has become a crucial stage in the professional development of this duo, regarded as the best in Cuban beach volleyball.

Beyond the prestige, the victory secured them 150,000 rubles in prize money (about 1,666 US dollars).

Unbeaten on the way to St. Petersburg

Before being crowned, Díaz and Alayo shone in the quarterfinals against Valeriy Samoday and Taras Sivolap, winning 21-15 and 25-23. In the semifinals, they came back against the duo from Dynamo Moscow, Krasilnikov and Reinson, winning 17-21, 21-13, and 15-12.

The result allows them to look forward with optimism to the next challenge: a new stage of the Russian Cup in Saint Petersburg, which will take place in six days and offers an even larger prize pool.

A milestone for Cuban sports

The success of Díaz and Alayo goes beyond sports. Their performance reaffirms the potential of Cuban beach volleyball on international stages, despite the structural limitations they face on the island.

Invited to the Russian professional circuit for their talent and charisma, they have garnered not only the support of the local audience but also the recognition of an international community that already views them as champions.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Victory of the Cuban Beach Volleyball Duo in Moscow

The USA Women’s National Team kept their momentum rolling at the World Championships, notching a second straight win with a hard-fought 11-9 triumph over the Netherlands.

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Emily Ausmus spearheaded the American attack with a hat trick, while Amanda Longan stood tall between the posts, registering eight key saves.

Despite a modest 1-for-7 conversion on power plays, the Americans were sharp from the penalty spot, sinking 3-of-4 attempts. The Dutch, meanwhile, struggled with efficiency, going just 1-for-8 on the power play and converting 1-of-2 penalties.

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Team USA will look to wrap up group play on a high note when they face Argentina on Monday night.

GOAL has everything you need to know to watch USA vs Argentina Women’s Water Polo clash at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in the United States.

World Aquatics Championships 2025: USA vs Argentina Women’s Water Polo date, start time

USA vs Argentina Women’s Water Polo game at World Aquatics Championships 2025 will broadcast live on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 9:00 pm ET or 6:00 pm PT from the World Aquatics Championships Arena (WCH Arena) in Singapore Sports Hub in Singapore.

How to watch USA vs Argentina Women’s Water Polo at World Aquatics Championships 2025 live on Peacock

Live coverage from World Aquatics Championships Arena (WCH Arena) in Singapore Sports Hub in Singapore kicks off Sunday live on Peacock.

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When and where are the World Aquatics Championships 2025?

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships are making a splash in Singapore, with the action unfolding at the brand-new, 4,800-capacity World Aquatics Championships Arena (WCH Arena) — a state-of-the-art venue unveiled in June at the iconic Singapore Sports Hub.

The competition kicks off with water polo on 11 July, and will ride the wave all the way through to a grand finale on 3 August, when the last swimming and diving medals will be up for grabs.

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