Share
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 14, 2025) – USA Volleyball is sending two beach teams to compete at the Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.18-22, 2025. The Games, held August 9-23, feature more than 4,000 athletes from 41 countries and serve as the largest sporting event in Paraguay’s history.
The Junior Pan American Games is a major multi-sport competition featuring athletes aged 17-22 from North, Central and South America. The competition offers 218 qualification spots for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima and valuable international experience for athletes working toward senior-level international representation. In beach volleyball, 16 teams per gender will compete at the Los Pynandi World Cup Stadium.
The first Junior Pan American Games was held in 2021, and this is the first time that USA Volleyball is sending beach teams to the event. The Junior Pan Am Games is also a Team USA event, meaning the athletes will represent not only USA Volleyball but the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee on the international stage.
The U.S. teams earned their spots at the USA Volleyball Junior Pan American Games Trials in January.
Portia Sherman and Emma Donley, who both play beach volleyball at Cal, will represent the U.S. on the women’s side. Thomas Hurst (UC Irvine) and Gage Basey (Colorado) are the U.S. men’s competitors.
Both pairs arrive with recent international success. Donley and Sherman won gold at the U23 NORCECA Tour stop in the Dominican Republic and took bronze at the 2025 NORCECA Beach Tour event in Honduras. Hurst and Basey earned silver at U23 NORCECA Dominican Republic and finished ninth at the 2025 World University Games.
UCLA assistant coach Kelly Reeves will coach the women’s team, and Beach Nation’s Mark Fishman will coach the men.
“The Pan American Games is a special tournament. It’s an opportunity not only to compete against some of the best athletes in the world, but also to represent the future,” Reeves said. “It’s a true honor to coach Emma and Portia on this journey. They come from a strong collegiate program at the University of California, Berkeley, and bring a great deal of experience and leadership. As a group, we’re excited, locked in, and ready to compete.”
“Talent wins games, but intelligence and teamwork win championships,” Fishman said. “Thomas and Gage are just getting better and growing as a team. They are two of the smartest young men in the game and their best is in front of them. I’m honored to represent the United States and be part of this amazing team.”
Women’s Roster
Portia Sherman (5-9, Goleta, Calif., Cal)
Emma Donley (6-4, Los Altos, Calif., Cal)
Men’s Roster
Gage Basey (6-5, Lyons, Colo., Univ. of Colorado)
Thomas Hurst (6-4, Plano, Texas, UC Irvine)
Coaches/Staff
Women’s Coach: Kelly Reeves (UCLA assistant coach)
Men’s Coach: Mark Fishman (Beach Nation)
Team Leader: Carolina Garbato (Beach NTDP)