FIVB Releases Youth and Junior World Rankings

Becky Murdy
Assistant, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: becky.murdy@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 12, 2011) –The FIVB Youth and Junior World Rankings released on May 9 has the U.S. Women  (youth and junior) making the biggest jump, up seven positions to No. 2 and the U.S. Men (youth and junior) remaining steady at No. 9 in the world.

Following the conclusion of all 2011 FIVB Youth and Junior World Championship continental qualifiers the FIVB released the world rankings for the split gender, junior and youth teams that represent the top volleyball countries.  The rankings, divided by gender, are accumulated by grouping both the junior and youth teams in each country together based on finishes at their respective Continental and World Championship, along with the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

The U.S. Women’s increase in position comes as a result of their gold-medal finish in both the NORCECA Women’s Junior and Girls’ Youth Continental Championships and silver at the Youth Olympic Games. Brazil remains No. 1 in the world rankings

“The increase in rank is great to see,” USA Volleyball High Performance and Events Director Tom Pingel said. “The rankings are important in regards to the seeding for the World Championships.”

Maintaining their 2010 ranking, the U.S. Men remain in the top 10, ranked ninth in the world. Last year the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Volleyball Team finished second at the NORCECA Boys’ Youth (U-19) Continental Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico, while the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team won gold at the NORCECA Men’s Junior (U-21) Continental Championship in Quebec. Argentina and Russia remain first and second with no change from their 2010 ranking

“As with every measure of team achievement the FIVB Youth and Junior World rankings reflect an opportunity for improving competitive success among our High Performance pipeline programs,” USA Volleyball Senior Manager of High Performance Indoor National Programs Collin Powers said. “All coaches know that a player and a team’s expectation to win can be an important factor when key matches get close; and at the international level, most matches are close. All teams at that level bring great skills to the court.”

Both Youth and Junior teams from all qualified countries are now preparing for the FIVB World Championships that will take place in the coming months. The FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship is slated for July 22-31 in Peru, while the FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship will be held Aug. 1-10 in Brazil. The FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship will be played in Turkey Aug. 12-21 and the FIVB Boys’ Youth World Championships in Argentina August 19-28.

“Our goal in the High Performance program is to put our Youth and Junior teams on the World Championships’ medal stands and to create an expectation for gold throughout the USA athlete pipeline,” Powers said.

For the complete FIVB Women's Junior and Girls' Youth World Ranking, click here.

For the complete FIVB Men's Junior and Boys' Youth World Ranking, click here.

Tags: FIVB, FIVB World Championship, U.S. Boys' Youth National Team, U.S. Girls' Youth National Team, U.S. Men's Junior National Team, U.S. Women's Junior National Team