U.S. Women Remain Undefeated at 2025 U21 World Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 9, 2025) – The U.S. Girls U19 National Team continued its strong start at the 2025 FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship, defeating Mexico, 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-18) on Saturday in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The U.S. (3-0) plays Croatia (1-2) at 11 p.m. PT on August 10 in its next-to-last pool play matchup.

The U.S. held a 34-21 advantage in kills, but it was a dominating block (12-3) and strong serve (10-4) that keyed the victory.

MATCH STATISTICS

Eight U.S. players scored at least four points with outside hitter Halle Thompson leading the way with 12 points on six kills and a block to go with five service aces, one more than the entire Mexico team.

Four players totaled seven points, including outside Audrey Flanagan, who shared the team lead with six kills to go with an ace. Outside JJ Robinson and middle blocker Brooke Harwood both contributed four kills, two blocks and an ace, while opposite Taylor Stanley posted a match-high three blocks with four kills.

Setter Blair Thiebaud scored six points with two kills, two blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Ayanna Watson finished with six points on five kills and a block. Middle blocker Keoni Williams scored four points on three kills and a block.

Thompson served all five of her aces in the opening set and added two kills for seven points. Thiebaud recorded two blocks, a kill and an ace for four points. Flanagan led the U.S. in the second set with six points on five kills and an ace, while Thompson contributed five points on four kills and a block. Robinson and Watson came in for the third set, combining for 13 points as the U.S. completed its second consecutive sweep.

2025 Girls U19 National Team for U21 World Championship

Name (Pos., Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)

3 Jayden “JJ” Robinson (OPP, 6-3, 2008, Missouri City, Texas, Ridge Point HS, Lone Star)
6 Keoni Williams (MB, 6-4, 2007, Fort Worth, Texas, Eagle Mountain HS, North Texas)
7 Brooke Harwood (MB, 6-4, 2008, Mesa, Ariz., Casteel HS, Arizona)
8 Ayanna Watson (OH/OPP, 6-3, 2007, Henderson, Nev., Bishop Gorman HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
11 Gabi Rodriguez (L, 5-6, 2008, Celeste, Texas, McKinney North HS, North Texas)
12 Genevieve Harris (S, 5-11, 2007, Raleigh, N.C., Cardinal Gibbons HS, Carolina)
13 Halle Thompson (OH, 6-0, 2008, Spring, Texas, Grand Oaks HS, Lone Star)
14 Taylor Stanley (OPP, 6-3, 2007, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley Southwest HS, Heart of America)
16 Elena Hoecke (MB, 6-3, 2007, Lino Lakes, Minn., Centennial HS, North Country)
17 Audrey Flanagan (OH, 6-3, 2008, Redondo Beach, Calif., Mira Costa HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
19 Henley Anderson (OH/OPP, 6-3, 2007, Dripping Springs, Texas, Dripping Springs HS, Lone Star)
22 Blair Thiebaud (S, 6-0, 2007, College Station, Texas, College Station HS, Lone Star)

Alternates
1 Emma Cugino (L, 5-9, 2008, Galena, Ohio, Olentangy Orange HS, Ohio Valley)
2 Nadiya Johnson (OPP, 6-2, 2008, Ashburn, Va., Riverside HS, Chesapeake)
4 Kendall Omoruyi (MB, 6-4, 2008, Gilbert, Ariz., Casteel HS, Arizona)
5 Danielle Whitmire (S, 6-1, 2007, Celina, Texas, Walnut Grove HS, North Texas)
9 Isabel Incinelli (OPP/OH, 6-5, 2008, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida)
15 Lynney Tarnow (MB, 6-5, 2007, Downers Grove, Ill., Benet Academy, Great Lakes)
18 Tessa Larkin (OH, 6-1, 2008, Anthem, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory HS, Arizona)

Coaches
Head Coach: Tama Miyashiro (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Stacy Sykora (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Steven Duhoux (Ohio State men’s volleyball)
Performance Analyst Training: Elgin Liu (UCSD men’s volleyball)
Performance Analyst Competition: Peter Wong (Halton Region Volleyball Club)
ATC: Misao Tanioka (LOVB)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)

Schedule
All times PT

Pool Play
Aug. 7: USA def. Korea, 3-1 (25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20)
Aug. 8: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-11)
Aug. 9: USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-18)
Aug. 10: USA vs. Croatia, 11 p.m.
Aug. 11: USA vs. China, 9 p.m.