The 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's U21 World Championship was the 22nd edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's U21 World Championship, contested by the women's national teams under the age of 20 of the members of the (FIVB), the sport's global governing body. It was held in Mexico from 17 to 26 August 2023.
This was the first edition with under-21 national teams after FIVB decided, in March 2022, to move the age category of the women's U20 championship to U21 in order to align it with the Men's U21 World Championship.
Italy were the defending champions but failed to defend their title. China claimed their fourth title of U21 World Championship by defeating Italy 3–2 in the final match.
Host selection On 2 June 2022, FIVB opened the bidding process for member associations whose countries were interested in hosting one of the four Age Group World Championships in 2023 (i.e., U19 Boys' and Girls' World Championships and U21 Men's and Women's World Championships). The expression of interest of the member associations had to be submitted to FIVB by 29 July 2022, 18:00 CEST (UTC+2).
FIVB announced the hosts for its four Age Group World Championship on 24 January 2023, with Mexico being selected to host the 2023 Women's U21 World Championship. This will be the fifth time that Mexico hosts the FIVB Women's U21 World Championship having previously done so in 1981, 2009, 2017 and 2019.
Qualification A total of 16 national teams qualified for the final tournament. In addition to Mexico who qualified automatically as the host, 10 other teams qualified through five separate continental competitions which were required to be held by 31 December 2022 at the latest. The remaining 5 teams entered via the Women's U21 FIVB World Ranking among the teams not yet qualified.
The slot allocation was set as follows: AVC (Asia & Oceania): 2 CAVB (Africa): 2 CEV (Europe): 2 CSV (South America): 2 NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean): 2 Host: 1 Top teams not yet qualified as per Women's U21 FIVB World Ranking: 5
ConfederationQualifying tournamentTeam qualifiedAppearancesPrevious best performanceTotalFirstLastAVC2022 Asian Women's U20 Championship18th19772019 (2019)21st19772019 (1995, 2013, 2017)Women's U21 FIVB World Ranking7th19952021 (2007)CAVB2022 Women's U21 African Nations Championship9th20052021 (2005)3rd19952011 (1995)CEV2022 Women's U19 European Championship17th19852021 (2011, 2021)10th19972021 (2005, 2021)Women's U21 FIVB World Ranking5th19952021 (2003, 2021)12th19912021 (2003)11th19992021 (2017, 2019)CSV2022 Women's U21 South American Championship22nd (all)19772021 (1987, 1989, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007)13th19772021 (2001)NORCECA2022 Women's Junior Pan-American Cup12th19772021 (2007, 2011)15th19812019 (1985, 1993)Host nation12th19772019 (1981)Women's U21 FIVB World Ranking13th19952021 (2015)
Format Teams will play round-robin in each pool. The top two teams from each pool will advance to round-robin pools E and F of the second phase, while the rest will move to pools G and H to continue the battles for classification from 9th to 16th. The winners and runners-up of pools E and F will progress to the semifinals and eventually determine the medallists.
First round All times are Central Time Zone (UTC−06:00).
Pool A Pool B
Pool C
Pool D
Second round All times are Central Time Zone (UTC−06:00).
Pool E Pool F
Pool G
Pool H
Final round All times are Central Time Zone (UTC−06:00).
13th–16th places 13th–16th semifinals
15th place match
13th place match
9th–12th places
9th–12th semifinals
11th place match
9th place match
5th–8th places
5th–8th semifinals
7th place match
5th place match
Final four
Semifinals
3rd place match
Final
Final standing
RankTeam45678910111213141516
12–woman RosterZhuang Yushan (C), Zhu Xingchen, Zhao Yalun, Wang Yifan, Wan Ziyue, Zeng Jieya, Tang Xin, Yin Xiaolan, Wang Yindi, Yang Jia, Xie Shengyan. Shan LinqianHead coachQi Kuang
Awards
Most valuable player Zhuang Yushan Best setter Valentina Bartolucci Best outside spikers Zhuang Yushan Stella Nervini Best middle blockers Wan Ziyue Luzia Nezzo Best opposite spiker Anna Adelusi Best libero Zhu Xingchen
See also 2023 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U19 World Championship 2023 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men's U21 World Championship
References