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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 24, 2025) — The U.S. Girls U19 National Team began play at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-21) win over Venezuela on Tuesday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
The U.S. (1-0) returns to the court tomorrow, Wednesday, June 25, at 1:30 p.m. PT against Mexico (1-0).
Sparked by a dominant win in the first set, the U.S. Girls U19 team finished with large margins in kills (42-21) and blocks (14-4) as well as three more aces (8-5).
“For every single one of these girls, it was their first opportunity to put on a USA uniform and to come away with a win is an amazing thing. I am proud of our group for all the work put in and am looking forward to the rest of this tournament,” said U.S. Girls U19 head coach Jamie Morrison.
Six players led the balanced U.S. team by scoring at least six points with three players in double figures. Middle blocker/opposite Megan Hodges (eight kills and match-best five blocks) and middle Shayla Rautenberg (six kills, three blocks and a match-high four aces) scored 13 points apiece. Outside hitter Kari Knotts led the team with nine kills and added three aces for 12 points.
Libero Cala Haffner was the only player in the match with double-digit digs with 14. Setters Taimane Ainu’u and Marissa Jones combined to lead the U.S. offense to a .301 hitting percentage as a team.
Middle blocker Taylor Harrington totaled seven points on four blocks and three kills, while opposite Westley Matavao scored seven points on five kills and two blocks. Opposite Nejari Crooks registered five kills and an ace.
The U.S. jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start the match and never looked back in the first set. Six blocks, four aces and a 13-4 difference in kills showcased the U.S. dominance. Knotts led the way with six points on four kills and two aces. Harrington recorded four blocks and a kill for five points, and Rautenberg also scored five points with three kills, a block and an ace.
The second set was close early on, but the U.S. seemed to take control as back-to-back aces by Rautenberg made it 18-11. Venezuela fought back with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to two points, 20-18, and force a U.S. timeout.
A kill on a back row attack by Ireland Real gave the U.S. a 23-21 lead and a service error two points later gave the U.S. set point at 24-21. Venezuela won the next two points before Knotts put a ball down to end the set. Hodges led the U.S. with six points on five kills and a block, Knotts added five more points on four kills and an ace, and Rautenberg added two kills to her two aces.
Venezuela took an early 4-1 lead in the third set and still led by three, 12-9, when a Rautenberg block started a 4-0 run that gave the U.S. its first lead of the set. Venezuela called timeout and took four of the next five points to take a 16-14 lead and force a U.S. timeout.
The back and forth set continued with Venezuela going back ahead 17-15, but a Kyla Williams block finished a 3-0 U.S. run to make it 18-17 in favor of the U.S. The set was tied at 20 apiece when the final run went to the U.S. squad, scoring five of the final six points. Crooks, Henry and Hodges recorded three kills in a row, respectively, for a 23-20 lead. Hodges, who closed out the match with her fourth block of the set, scored seven points in the set with three kills in addition to her blocks.
2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup
(Name, Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, High School, Region)
1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 5-11, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
2 Nejari Crooks (OPP, 6-1, 2009, High Point, N.C., Wesleyan Christian Academy, Carolina)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
4 Taylor Harrington (MB, 6-3, 2009, Arlington, Va., Wakefield HS, Chesapeake)
5 Olivia Henry (OH, 6-5, 2009, Bayside, N.Y., IMG Academy, Florida)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California)
7 Marissa Jones (S, 6-2, 2009, Atlanta, Ga., Woodward Academy, Southern)
8 Kari Knotts (OH, 6-3, 2010, Marietta, Ga., Hightower Trail MS, Southern)
11 Westley Matavao (OH, 6-0, 2009, Ontario, Calif., Mater Dei HS, Southern California)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-3, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California)
18 Kyla Williams (MB, 6-4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio, Gilmour Academy, Ohio Valley)
Alternates
9 Pulelehua Laikona (L, 5-8, 2009, Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS, Arizona)
10 Leilani Lamar (OH, 6-2, 2009, Tampa, Fla., Tampa Preparatory School, Florida)
12 McKenna McIntosh (OH, 6-1, 2009, Stockton, Calif., St. Mary’s HS, Northern California)
15 Josalyn Samuels (S, 6-1, 2009, Harrisburg, S.D., Harrisburg HS, North Country)
16 Marlee Steiner (MB, 6-4, 2009, St. Louis, Mo., Lindbergh HS, Gateway)
17 Caroline Ward (OPP, 6-0, 2009, Lizton, Ind., Tri-West Hendricks HS, Hoosier)
19 Shaye Witherspoon (OH, 6-3, 2009, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette HS, Gateway)
Coaches
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison (Texas A&M)
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman Smith (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Maggie Eppright (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Michael Bouril (Mississippi State)
Athletic Trainer: Rebecca Himes (PVF)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)
2025 Girls U19 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times Pacific
All matches will be livestreamed on Volleyball Canada YouTube
June 24: USA def. Venezuela, 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-21)
June 25: 1:30 p.m.: USA vs. Mexico
June 26: 1:30 p.m.: USA vs. Puerto Rico
June 27: TBA
June 28: Classification/Medal Matches, TBA