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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 6, 2025) – USA Volleyball has announced the 2025 Beach U21 National Team that will compete at the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championship, Oct. 15-19 in Puebla, Mexico.
The event brings together many of the top young beach volleyball athletes from around the world. The competition begins with the qualification round on Oct. 15, followed by pool play Oct. 16-17. The playoffs start Oct. 18, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal matches concluding on Oct. 19.
The U.S. will send two women’s and two men’s teams.
On the women’s side, Zoey Henson (USC) and Sarah Wood will compete in the main draw after winning gold at the 2025 NORCECA U21 World Championship Qualifier in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic. Wood was also part of the 2024 Beach U19 National Team that earned bronze at the U19 World Championship in Shangluo, China.
The qualifier team will be Avery Jackson (Stanford) and Sally Perez (UCLA). Perez brings extensive international experience, having won bronze with the 2024 U19 team in Shangluo and as part of the 2022 U21 Beach National Team.
For the men, Malachi Brewington and Titus Lance will represent the U.S. in the main draw. The duo won gold at the 2025 NORCECA U21 World Championship Qualifier in the Dominican Republic and were members of the 2025 Beach Collegiate National Team. Brewington also competed at the 2024 U19 World Championship.
The men’s qualifier team is Ford Harman (Pepperdine) and Jackson Herbert (George Mason). Both played on the 2025 Beach Collegiate National Team, with Herbert returning for his second consecutive year. Herbert also represented the U.S. at the 2024 World University Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.
Men’s head coach Alvaro Filho, an Olympian and assistant coach at Stetson University, reflected on the opportunity to lead the U.S. squad.
“As a Brazilian, I feel truly honored to have the opportunity to coach the USA U21 team,” Filho said. “I competed in this event as a player in 2009 and 2010, and it remains one of the most memorable moments of my career. It’s a unique stage in an athlete’s journey, and I’m excited to help guide our team through this important experience.”
Women’s head coach Angie Akers, an Olympic coach and associate head coach at the University of Texas, emphasized the broader significance of the event.
“The U21 World Championships is one of the most meaningful stages in an athlete’s journey,” Akers said. “Representing the USA is not just about medals, it’s about the opportunity to compete on a global stage, to test yourself against the best in the world, and to learn lessons that will shape careers and character. The energy, passion and potential at these events is extraordinary, because every performance hints at the future of our sport. I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this incredible opportunity to represent USA!”
Kelly Reeves (UCLA assistant coach) will serve as the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. Anna Michaud will be the team’s athletic trainer, and Chelsea Tupuola, USA Volleyball’s Beach National Team Development Program lead, will serve as team lead.