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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 12, 2026) – USA Volleyball has selected the 14 athletes who will represent the United States at the 2026 FIVB Girls U17 World Championship, Aug. 6-16 in Santiago, Chile. This is the second-ever U19 World Championship and the first time the U.S. has competed.
The team will train July 25-29 at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs before departing to Chile. The squad will then participate in a pre-tournament training camp hosted by the Volleyball Federation of Chile from July 31-Aug. 4.
The United States will compete in Pool A at the World Championship alongside host Chile, Türkiye, Egypt, Thailand and Czechia, with the first match scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on August 6 vs. Egypt.
Among the athletes participating is Kari Knotts, who helped the U.S. Women’s U19 National Team win gold at the 2025 U19 Pan American Cup, where she was named MVP and Best Spiker.
Several athletes return after helping the U.S. win gold at the 2025 NORCECA Girls U17 Continental Championship. Maya Ogbogu earned tournament MVP and Best Spiker honors, while Lexi Coleman was named Second Best Spiker. Kaelyn Easton, Ellie Enger, Taylor Johnson, Julia Masselink and Madison Middleton also return from the gold-medal team. Grace Hengler was part of the 2025 U17 National Team as well.
Brynli Burgess, Amari Frazier, Maija Mortensen, Peyton Smith and Kaya Young are making their U.S. national team debut.
2026 U.S. Girls U17 National Team Roster for World Championship
No., Name (Position, Height, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
3 Lexi Coleman (PIN, 6-0, Northville, Mich., South Lyon East HS, Lakeshore)
5 Kaelyn Easton (S, 5-11, Saline, Mich., Mercy HS, Lakeshore)
6 Ellie Enger (S, 6-1, Forest City, Fla., Orangewood Christian HS, Florida)
8 Kari Knotts (PIN, 6-3, Marietta, Ga., The Lovett School, Southern)
9 Grace Hengler (L, 5-6, Frisco, Texas, Coram Deo Academy, North Texas)
11 Taylor Johnson (PIN, 6-0, Plano, Texas, Hebron HS, North Texas)
13 Julia Masselink (PIN, 6-2, Sioux Falls, S.D., Harrisburg HS, North Country)
15 Madison Middleton (MB, 6-1, Roswell, Ga., St. Francis HS, Southern)
16 Maya Ogbogu (PIN, 6-0, Parker, Texas, Allen HS, North Texas)
19 Brynli Burgess (L, 5-9, Van Alstyne, Texas, McKinney North HS, North Texas)
21 Amari Frazier (MB, 6-3, Phoenix, Ariz., Xavier College Prep, Arizona)
24 Maija Mortensen (MB, 6-3, Draper, Utah, Corner Canyon HS, Intermountain)
26 Peyton Smith (PIN, 6-0, Arlington, Texas, Duncanville HS, North Texas)
28 Kaya Young (MB, 6-3, Rockville, Md., Kaiserslautern HS)
Coaches
Head Coach: Heather Olmstead (NTDP)
Assistant Coach: Amir Lugo-Rodriguez (SC Rockstar/Long Beach State men’s volleyball)
Assistant Coach: Laura “Bird” Kuhn (MLV)
Performance Analysts: Joe Skinner (Texas A&M – domestic leg), Peter Wong (Halton Region Volleyball Club – international leg)
Athletic Trainer/Team Doctor: Madison Hauge (domestic leg), Chris Cornell (Coduhi Clinic – international leg)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)
Schedule
August 6: USA vs. Egypt, 11 a.m. PT
August 7: USA vs. Türkiye, 11 a.m. PT
August 8: USA vs. Chile, 5 p.m.
August 10: USA vs. Thailand, 11 a.m.
August 11: USA vs. Czechia, 11 a.m.
August 12: Round of 24 and Round of 16
August 14: Quarterfinals and Playoffs
August 15: Semifinals and Playoffs
August 16: Medal matches and Playoffs