The journey of the Indonesian U21 women's volleyball team in the tournament took place in Jawa Pos Arena, Surabaya closed in the 1/8 round on Wednesday (August 13, 2025). Coach Marcos Sugiyama's army was forced to stop after defeating against strong opponents from Europe – U21 Italia.
The difference in class is evident, especially when Indonesia lacks the owner Junaida Santi due to injury. However, the red and white girls impressed when they suddenly won a set before giving in 1-3 final with the score 12-25, 19-25, 25-21 and 13-25.
In the context of unable to play, Indonesia's main source from Pascalina Mahuze and Gentis, with the support of Chelsa Berliana Nurtomo in the opposite position.
Mahoze is Indonesia's leading score hand in this match with 15 points, while Gentis contributes 10 points. Azzahra Dwi FeByane, often known as Gentis, shared his feelings after representing Indonesia in the 1/8 round of the U21 World Volleyball Championship in the world 2025.
Although not achieving the desired results, Gentis – when the Bolasport.com correspondent was interviewed after the match – still showed proud of his own performance. “Experience confronting Italy, one of the strongest teams in the world, is an invaluable opportunity for me and the whole team,” Gentis said.
Previously, U21 Indonesia had benefited from the penalty of U21 Vietnam. Accordingly, the World Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced a strict discipline with the U21 Vietnam Women's Volleyball team at the 2025 World Championship in Indonesia.
Accordingly, FIVB determined that there was an athlete in the team that did not meet the competition conditions under Article 12.2 in the disciplinary regulations in 2023, leading to the decision to cancel the results of the series that this athlete participated and eliminated from the tournament immediately.
U21 Vietnam's penalty brings good news for U21 Indonesia. The home team benefited directly when U21 Vietnam was canceled in the 1/8 round. The team of thousands of islands from the penultimate position (must be classified 17-24) was taken to the third in Group A.
The home team played 5 losses 4, only won U21 Canada. After U21 Vietnam received a penalty, the achievement of U21 Indonesia was raised to 2 victories, 3 defeats, winning 8 points. They ranked on Puerto Rico despite losing to the American team in the direct confrontation. Thus, U21 Indonesia reached the group of 16 teams with the best achievement and will face U21 Italy.