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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 1, 2026) — The U.S. swept Canada 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) in its opening match of the NORCECA Women’s U23 Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua.
The U.S. squad (1-0) faces Costa Rica (0-1) on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. PT.
Head coach Alex Dunphy was pleased with how her team performed right out of the gate.
“What a great team win to start the tournament,” she said. “Sophee (Peterson) did a nice job keeping the middle and opposite attackers involved throughout the match, and they were extemely efficient. Our passers held up well against a strong Canadian team.”
The U.S. led Canada in kills (28-25), blocks (14-8) and aces (9-8). Opposite Kendall Omoruyi led the U.S. with 15 points on nine kills, three blocks and three aces. Outside hitter Tessa Larkin scored 13 with seven kills, five blocks and an ace. Middle Megan Hodges had 11 points with four kills, a match-high six blocks and an ace.
Peyton Kubik had four kills and three aces for seven points, and Shayla Rautenberg had three kills and an ace. In addition to running the efficient offence, Peterson had one kill.
The U.S. was down 2-0 to open the first set but evened the match at six on a Larkin block. She followed with a kill to give the U.S. its first lead of the match, 7-6. A Hodges kill gave the U.S. a four-point lead at 13-9. Canada worked its way back into the match, cutting the lead to one at 13-12 and 15-14. But four straight U.S. points gave the U.S. a 19-15 lead. Canada came back within one at 22-21, but two Hodges blocks and a Canada error gave the U.S. the win. Hodges had five points in the set.
The U.S. led for all of set two, opening up an eight-point lead at 19-11. Down 22-16, Canada scored six of the next seven points to move within one at 23-22, and then tied it at 23 on a Larkin attack error. She rebounded for a kill, and another Canada error gave the U.S. set two. Larkin finished with six points.
In set three, the U.S. did not let Canada back in the match after leading early. Canada closed the gap to five at 18-13, but four straight Canada errors moved the lead to 22-13. The U.S. closed out the match on an Omoruyi kill for her ninth point of the set.
U23 Pan American Cup Roster
1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 6-0, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-4, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
19 Ava Burgess (OH, 6-2, 2009, Lehi, Utah, Lone Peak HS, Intermountain)
20 Willtrace Ngoh (MB, 6-1, 2009, Richmond, Texas, Katy Seven Lakes HS, Lone Star)
21 Sophee Peterson (S, 5-11, Fort Worth, Texas, Byron Nelson HS, North Texas)
22 Isabel Incinelli (OPP/OH, 6-5, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida)
23 Nyla Livings (MB, 6-2, The Colony, Texas, Prestonwood Christian Academy, North Texas)
24 Kendall Omoruyi (OPP/MB, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Sierra Canyon HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
25 Peyton Kubik (OH, 6-2, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley West HS, Heart of America)
26 Tessa Larkin (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory, Arizona)
27 Mallory Johnson (L, 5-9, Bryon Center, Mich., Bryon Center HS, Lakeshore)
Coaches
Head Coach: Alex Dunphy (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Haley Brightwell (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Tori Dixon (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Thomas Shaffer (Loyola Chicago)
ATC: Anthony Tam, MD, CAQSM (Henry Ford Health)
Team Lead (training block): Mallory Burbage (NTDP)
Team Lead (competition): Courtney Smith (NTDP)
U23 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times PT
Tuesday, Sept. 1: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-17)
Wednesday, Sept. 2: USA vs. Costa Rica, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4: USA vs. Nicaragua, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: USA vs. Mexico, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6: Finals