Gold for Women's U23 at 2026 Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 6, 2026) — The U.S. Women’s U23 Team won gold at the NORCECA U23 Pan Am Cup for the second straight year with a 3-1 (25-15, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18) victory over the Dominican Republic Sunday in Managua, Nicaragua. The U.S. squad finished the tournament undefeated at 6-0.

Outside hitter Tessa Larkin, who had 20 points in the final match, was named tournament MVP and Best Receiver. Megan Hodges was Second Best Blocker. Another stellar blocking night helped pace the U.S. as they had 12 to just seven from the Dominican Republic. The U.S. also led in kills (55-27), but the Dominican Republic had a slight edge in aces, 4-3.

Hodges scored 12 points on eight kills and four blocks, and Ireland Real collected nine kills and three aces. Shayla Rautenberg led the team with five blocks and added four kills. Kendall Omoruyi had nine kills, Ava Burgess had four, and setter Sophee Peterson had two kills and an ace. Isabel Incinelli rounded out the scorers with a kill and two blocks. Libero Cala Haffner had 14 digs.

The U.S. dominated the first two sets. with Larkin scoring seven in the first and six in the second. The Dominican Republic found its footing in set three by leading throughout the match, including by as many as four at 19-15 and 21-17. Still trailing by four at 23-19, the U.S. benefited by two opponent errors to close the gap to two. The Dominican Republic had three set points at 24-21, but Real had two straight kills to get within one before a service error from Peterson gave the Domincan Republic the set.

After falling behind 3-0 in set four, the U.S. scored six straight for the lead and never relinquished it. Real collected six 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 def. Dominican Republic, 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22)
Friday, Sept. 4: USA def. Nicaragua, 3-0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-15)
Saturday, Sept. 5: USA def. Mexico, 3-2 (27-25, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13)
Sunday, Sept. 6: Gold medal match: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-1 (25-15, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18)