Women's U21 Rolls into 2024 NORCECA Champs Semis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 27, 2024) – The U.S. Women’s U21 National Team secured a spot in the 2024 NORCECA Women’s U21 Continental Championship semifinals with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-15) victory over previously unbeaten Puerto Rico on Thursday in Toronto, Canada.

The U.S. (3-0) earned a bye in tomorrow’s quarterfinals and return to the court in the semis on Saturday, June 29, at a time to be announced.

Middle blocker Andi Jackson led all players against Puerto Rico with eight kills and 14 points and shared the team lead with two blocks and three aces. She hit at a .636 efficiency for the match with just one error in 11 attacks.

The U.S. tripled the number of kills by Puerto Rico (42-14) and finished with a 6-1 advantage in blocks and 7-0 in aces.

Opposite Kennedy Martin finished with nine points on six kills and three aces, and Brooklyn DeLeye totaled eight points on six kills, one block and an ace.

Middle Taylor Harvey (three attacks and two blocks) and outside Teraya Sigler (five kills) each contributed five points. Outside hitter Julia Blyashov and middle blocker Favor Anyanwu both scored four points playing only in the third set.

Setters Bergen Reilly and Campbell Flynn led the offense to a .314 hitting percentage and the 28-kill advantage. Libero Ramsey Gary finished with 17 digs, eight more than the next-highest total. She and Sigler paced the squad with seven successful receptions. DeLeye totaled seven digs and five successful receptions, while Flynn recorded five digs. Outside Blaire Bayless added four digs, playing in the third set.

After taking a 6-4 lead in the opening set, the U.S. scored six consecutive points to take an eight-point lead. The U.S. tallied the final seven points of the set to take a 1-0 lead. Martin and DeLeye paced the team with five points each.

The U.S. forced an early timeout by scoring five of the first six points in the second set, eventually building the lead to 11 points (23-12) on back-to-back aces by Jackson. She and Sigler scored five points.

As they did in the first two sets, the U.S. Women started quickly in the third set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. Jackson led all players with five points with Blyashov and Anvanwu adding four points.

2024 U.S. Women’s U21 National Team
for the NORCECA Women’s U21 Continental Championship

Name (Pos., Ht., Birth year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
3 Julia Blyashov (OH, 6-3, 2005, San Diego, Calif., Stanford University, Southern California)
4 Blaire Bayless (OH, 6-2, 2005, Plano, Texas, University of Pittsburgh, North Texas)
5 Favor Anyanwu (MB, 6-2, 2006, Rowlett, Texas, Sachse HS, North Texas)
6 Campbell Flynn (S, 6-3, 2006, Rochester Hills, Mich., Mercy HS, Lakeshore)
7 Brooklyn DeLeye (OH, 6-2, 2005, Auburn, Kan., University of Kentucky, Heart of America)
8C Bergen Reilly (S, 6-1, 2005, Sioux Falls, S.D., University of Nebraska, North Country)
10 Taylor Harvey (MB, 6-3, 2006, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS, Intermountain)
11 Ramsey Gary (L, 5-7, 2005, Pendelton, Ind., Indiana University, Hoosier)
14 Andi Jackson (MB, 6-3, 2005, Brighton, Colo., University of Nebraska, Rocky Mountain)
17 Teraya Sigler (OH, 6-2, 2006,  Scottsdale, Ariz., Horizon HS, Arizona)
18 Kennedy Martin (OPP, 6-6, 2005, Fort Mill, S.C., University of Florida, Badger)
19 Abby Vander Wal (OH, 6-3, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., Timothy Christian HS, Great Lakes)

Head Coach: Heather Olmstead (BYU)
Assistant Coach: Jaylen Reyes (Nebraska)
Assistant Coach: Alex Dunphy (Stanford)
Performance Analyst: Virginia Pham (USC)
Athletic Trainer: Rachel Menze (CSUN)
Team Lead: Courtney Smith (USAV NTDP)

Alternates
1 Lizzy Andrew (MB, 6-5, 2005, Ridgefield, Wash., Ridgefield HS, Columbia Empire)
2 Jaela Auguste (MB, 6-2, 2006, Spring, Texas, Grand Oaks HS, Lonestar)
9 Taylor Anderson (S, 6-1, 2005, San Antonio Texas, Purdue University, Lone Star)
12 Olivia Mauch (L, 5-6, 2005, Bennington, Neb., University of Nebraska, Great Plains)
13 Kamryn Gibadlo (OH, 6-1, 2005, Cave Creek, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona)
15 Abigail Mullen (OPP, 6-3, 2006, Kansas City, Mo., Liberty HS, Heart of America)
16 Logan Parks (OPP,5-11,2006, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley North HS, Heart of America)
20 Laney Choboy (L, 5-3, 2005, Raleigh, N.C., University of Nebraska, Carolina)

U.S. Schedule
for the NORCECA Women’s U21 Continental Championship
(all times PDT)

All matches will be livestreamed on Volleyball Canada’s YouTube.

June 25 USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-11)
June 26 USA def. Suriname, 3-0 (25-10, 25-5, 25-9)
June 27 USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-15)
June 28 Quarterfinals (USA received a bye)
June 29 Semifinals, USA vs. TBA
June 30 Medal match