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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 2, 2026) — The U.S. Women’s U23 Team picked up its second sweep in as many days with a dominating 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 victory over Costa Rica at the NORCECA Women’s Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua, on Wednesday.
The U.S. squad (2-0) faces the Dominican Republic (1-0 after its first match) on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 2 p.m. PT.
The U.S. nearly doubled Costa Rica in kills (41-21) and also led in blocks (8-2) and aces (9-1).
“Another great team win,” said head coach Alex Dunphy. “Credit to our serve receive and floor defense for being able to get the ball to our quick attackers in serve receive and transition. What a great night for Nyla Livings!”
Ireland Real and Livings paced the U.S. with 16 points apiece. Real had 12 kills, a block and a match-high three aces, and Livings had 10 kills, a match-high four blocks, and two aces. Ava Burgess also reached double digits with 12 points on 10 kills and two aces.
Isabel Incinelli had six kills, a block and two aces for nine points, and setter Taimane Ainu’u had two kills and a block. Willtrace Ngoh had a kill and a block. Ainuu, Real and Burgess all had eight digs.
Dunphy used a different lineup from the one that swept Canada on Tuesday, albeit with the same result. The U.S. never trailed in set one, although the two teams were tied at 9-9. A Costa Rica service error, Real kill, Ainu’u block, Incinelli service ace and Ainu’u kill opened up a 14-9 for the U.S. Costa Rica closed the gap to three at 16-13, but four straight points, including an ace and a kill from Livings, kept the game out of reach at 20-13. Incinelli closed out the set with a kill. Livings scored five points, including three blocks.
The U.S. turned it on in the second half of the second set again, breaking open a 9-9 tie by scoring eight of the next nine points for a 17-10 lead. After a Ngoh service error, the U.S. scored four more for a 21-11 lead. A Real ace gave the U.S. set point, and Livings finished the set with a kill. Real led the team in the set with seven points.
There was no doubt in set three, with the U.S. quickly breaking it open with a 9-3 lead on a Burgess block. The lead stayed at five or six through most of the match, although Costa Rica closed the gap to three at 22-19. Blocks by Ngoh and Real, and a final kill from Livings ended the comeback attempt. Real had five points in 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 def. Costa Rica, 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-19)
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