By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-10-12 18:46:58 | Updated at 2026-10-12 20:59:39
3 hours ago
PERU · SPORTS
Key Facts
- —The country Peru has now won ten silver medals at this youth championship.
- —What happened Argentina beat Peru 3-0 in Sunday’s South American under-19 final.
- —The score Sets ended 25-12, 25-12 and 25-15 in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
- —The prize Both finalists qualified for the 2027 Under-19 World Championship.
- —Still open Official releases did not name the 2027 host or dates.
Peru’s under-19 women lost the South American volleyball final to Argentina in straight sets on Sunday night. Both teams still head to the 2027 world championship.
Peru volleyball fans watched their under-19 women’s team lose the South American final 3-0 to Argentina on Sunday, 11 October. The match in Maracaibo, Venezuela, still capped a historic week, because Peru had already booked a world championship place.
For US fans, the semifinals settled two of South America’s places at the 2027 Under-19 World Championship. American teams qualify separately through NORCECA, the confederation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
How the Final Unfolded
Argentina won the final 25-12, 25-12 and 25-15, according to the Argentine Volleyball Federation (FeVA), the sport’s national governing body. The Instituto Peruano del Deporte (IPD), Peru’s state sports agency, confirmed the same scores in a release on Sunday night.
The match was played at the Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte gymnasium in Maracaibo, the host city in western Venezuela. Argentina’s federation said its team, nicknamed Las Panteritas, dominated the final from start to finish.
Sofía Baldo led Argentina with 19 points and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Catalina Borrero Müller added 15 points, and she and Emma Oldani joined Baldo in the all-star team.
Argentina finished the event unbeaten, with three group wins, a 3-1 semifinal win over hosts Venezuela and Sunday’s title. One of those group wins came against Brazil, the team Peru later knocked out.
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Peru’s Road to the World Championship
Peru sealed its world championship ticket on Saturday, 10 October, with a 3-2 semifinal win over Brazil. Infobae Perú reported set scores of 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 17-25 and 15-7.
Setter Marcela Manrique ended that match with an ace, according to the same report. Coach Martín Escudero and his staff then ran onto the court to celebrate with the players.
In the group stage, Peru beat Chile 3-1, Venezuela 3-1 and Uruguay 3-0, the IPD said. The silver is Peru’s tenth in the history of the South American championship for this age group.
The IPD listed a 14-player squad under Escudero. IPD president Óscar Fernández Cáceres congratulated the team for representing the country with distinction.
Why the Result Matters for Peru
The IPD described women’s volleyball as a sport that has given Peru many joys over the years. The agency said it provides subsidies to the Peruvian Volleyball Federation and training facilities at the Videna high-performance centre in Lima.
What It Means for US Readers
The United States does not compete in South American events, so no US team played in Maracaibo. American teams chase world championship places through NORCECA, the regional body for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Peru and Argentina could therefore meet US players at the 2027 world championship, if the United States also qualifies. Neither official release mentions US college or club links for players in either squad.
FeVA listed a 9 p.m. Buenos Aires start for the final, which was 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. It said Voleysur, the South American confederation, would carry the match online.
What Is Not Known
Neither the IPD nor FeVA named the host country or the dates of the 2027 Under-19 World Championship. The Peruvian Volleyball Federation had not posted its own report on the final by midday Monday in Lima.
The official releases also do not name the third-placed team or say whether South America gets a third berth. Player ages and club affiliations were not published either.
What Comes Next
The next stage is the 2027 Under-19 World Championship, organised by FIVB, volleyball’s world governing body. The draw and venue were not part of Sunday’s announcements from either country.
The result does not affect Peru’s senior women’s team, which plays in separate events and rankings. For this generation, the focus now shifts to preparing for the world stage next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won the South American Under-19 Women’s Volleyball Final?
Argentina beat Peru 3-0 on Sunday, 11 October, in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The sets ended 25-12, 25-12 and 25-15.
Did Peru Qualify for the 2027 World Championship?
Yes, Peru secured its place by beating Brazil 3-2 in Saturday’s semifinal. Argentina also qualified, according to its national federation.
Who Was the Tournament’s Best Player?
Argentina’s Sofía Baldo was named most valuable player and scored 19 points in the final. Teammates Catalina Borrero Müller and Emma Oldani also made the all-star team.
Can the United States Face Peru at the World Championship?
Only if the US team also qualifies through NORCECA, its own regional confederation. The 2027 host and draw were not announced alongside the final.
Who Coaches Peru’s Under-19 Team?
Martín Escudero coaches the 14-player squad, according to the IPD. The state agency also funds the Peruvian Volleyball Federation.
Sources: Instituto Peruano del Deporte (IPD), release of 11 October; Federación del Voleibol Argentino, final report; Federación del Voleibol Argentino, semifinal report; Infobae Perú (all accessed 12 October 2026).
