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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 27, 2026) – USA Volleyball beach athletes Caden Phillips and Gavin Mortensen will represent the United States at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with beach volleyball competition taking place October 31-November 4.
Phillips will also have the honor of serving as one of two U.S. flag bearers during the Opening Ceremony on October 31. He was nominted by USA Volleyball, and then fellow members of the Team USA delegation across all sports voted for him along with rugby sevens athlete Luisa Moala.
Phillips and Mortensen enter the Youth Olympic Games following a successful 2026 season on the international stage. The pair captured gold at the NORCECA Beach U18 Volleyball World Championship Qualifier in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, defeating the host country’s team in the final. They followed that performance with a ninth-place finish at the 2026 FIVB Beach U18 Volleyball World Championship, advancing to the round of 16.
“Caden and Gavin have worked hard to earn this opportunity. They’ve built a strong partnership through their hunger to learn and compete, and by always having each other’s backs,” said U.S. head coach Billy Allen. “I’m grateful to coach them at the Youth Olympic Games, and I know they’ll compete together and represent the United States with pride.”
Allen, the associate head coach at Stanford University, will lead the pair in Dakar.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to play at such a high level with all of these amazing athletes, I am truly so lucky to have this chance to represent my country and words can’t express how excited I am,” Phillips said.
Mortensen is equally excited about the opportunity to compete on the international stage.
“I’m excited to go to Africa to meet athletes from all over the world,” Mortensen said. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than play the sport I love while representing the country I love.”
The U.S. pair will open pool play against Brazil on October 31 before facing Venezuela and Guatemala on November 1. The round of 16 begins November 2, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on November 3. The medal matches will be held November 4.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games bring together young athletes from around the world for international competition in Dakar, with the Games running October 31-November 13.
2026 Youth Olympic Games Roster
Caden Phillips
Gavin Mortensen
Coach/Staff
Head Coach: Billy Allen, Stanford University associate head coach
Team Leader: Joviana Romero, USA Volleyball Beach NTDP Lead
Schedule
All times Pacific (PT)
Saturday, October 31
USA vs. Brazil – 5:40 a.m.
Sunday, November 1
USA vs. Venezuela – 12:30 a.m.
USA vs. Guatemala – 5:30 a.m.
Monday, November 2
Round of 16 – Begins at 6 a.m.
Tuesday, November 3
Men’s Quarterfinals – Begin at 2 a.m.
Men’s Semifinals – 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Wednesday, November 4
Men’s Bronze Medal Match – 5 a.m.
Men’s Gold Medal Match – 8 a.m.