PR defeats Chinese Taipei in 5 sets at girls’ U17 World Championship in Chile

Daniela Isabel Nieves Papaleo unleashes a spike against the Chinese Taipei front wall during their pool play match at the 2026 FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship on Saturday in Los Andes, Chile. Puerto Rico won the match, 3-2.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico U17 national girls’ volleyball team defeated Chinese Taipei in five sets (3-2) on Saturday for its second win at the 2026 FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship held at Liceo Mixto Los Andes in Chile.

The match, characterized by constant shifts in momentum and high-volume offense, was decided in a fifth set in which Team Puerto Rico played with composure and precision when it counted.

Chinese Taipei opened the match aggressively on offense in the first set, prevailing 25-23. Puerto Rico adjusted its blocking and improved its offensive distribution to take the second set, 25-21.

The third set was a point-for-point battle that went Puerto Rico’s way (26-24), thanks to more stable defense and timely attacks from the wings. Taipei regained control in the fourth set (25-18), forcing the match into a deciding fifth set.

In the final frame, Puerto Rico executed with precision in transition and held steady during long rallies to close out the match 15-12, securing a key victory in Pool D, where they were tied with Italy for third place.

Chinese Taipei led the team statistics in attacks 63-50 and aces 12-5, while Puerto Rico held a commanding 18-2 advantage in blocks, with Sophia Colón and Eliany Quiñones recording six blocks each.

Carinialys Liann Kuilan led Puerto Rico with 21 points. Colón added 14 points, Sophia Aquino 13 and Quiñones 11.