U.S. Women to Play for 2023 Pan Am Cup Final Six Gold; Sweep Mexico in Semifinals

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 25, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s National Team will play for the gold medal at the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six after rolling to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-15) win over Mexico in the semifinals on Friday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The U.S. (6-0) will play host Dominican Republic, a 3-0 winner over Cuba in the other semifinal, in the gold medal match at 4 p.m. PT on Saturday. The two teams met on Thursday with the U.S. coming back from a 2-1 deficit to take the match in five sets.

The U.S. dominated every statistical category, including a 33-20 advantage in kills with a .379 hitting efficiency percentage for the match. The U.S. led in blocks (9-2) and aces (6-2), while committing only 13 errors compared to 25 by Mexico.

Seven U.S. players scored at least five points with middle blocker Serena Gray pacing the team with 11 points, seven kills, and four blocks. Opposite Stephanie Samedy totaled seven points on five kills, one block, and one ace.

Four players scored six points in the balanced attack. Outside hitters Simone Lee and Brooke Nuneviller each recorded five kills with Lee adding an ace and Nuneviller a block. Outside hitters Sarah Wilhite Parsons and Logan Eggleston each registered four kills, a block, and an ace. Eggleston added a team-best seven successful receptions.

Libero Zoe Fleck led all players with eight digs. Samedy added six and Gates five. Middle blocker Madeleine Gates scored five points on two kills, two blocks, and an ace.

Lee and Serena Gray each recorded five points as the U.S. rolled to a 25-11 lead in the first set. An ace by Gates gave the U.S. a 14-6 lead and Mexico could not get any closer.

Mexico took an early 6-3 lead in the second set, but the U.S. went on an 11-1 run to take a 14-7 lead. The U.S. closed out the set with five consecutive points, including back-to-back blocks to make it 22-10. Parsons led the team with four points on two kills, a block, and an ace.

After falling behind 7-3 in the third set, Mexico twice pulled within one point in third set, but a 7-0 U.S. run made it 16-9. Mexico got no closer than five points the rest of the set. Eggleston scored five points on three kills, one block, and one ace, and Nuneviller contributed four kills.

Mexico will play for bronze against Cuba, while Canada and Puerto Rico will play for fifth place.

U.S. Women’s Roster for the 2023 NORCECA Final 6

No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
3 Kendall White (L, 5-5, Zionsville, Ind., Penn State, Hoosier)
13C Sarah Wilhite Parsons (OH, 6-2, Eden Prairie, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
19 Jenna Gray (S, 6-1, Shawnee, Kan., Stanford Univ., Heart of America)
21 Simone Lee (OH, 6-1, Menomonee Falls, Wis., Penn State, Badger)
25 Brooke Nuneviller (OH, 5-11, Chandler, Ariz., Univ. of Oregon, Arizona)
30 Danielle Hart (MB, 6-4, Virginia Beach, Va., Univ. of Wisconsin, Old Dominion)
34 Stephanie Samedy (Opp, 6-2, Clermont, Fla., Univ. of Minnesota, Florida)
36 Madeleine Gates (MB, 6-3, San Diego, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
37 Kayla Haneline (MB, 6-2, Plattsmouth, Neb., Northern Iowa, Great Plains)
38 Zoe Fleck (L, 5-6, Grenada Hills, Calif., Univ. of Texas, Southern California)
39 Taylor Mims (Opp, 6-3, Billings, Mont., Washington State, Evergreen)
41 Logan Eggleston (OH, 6-2, Brentwood, Tenn., Univ. of Texas, Southern)
43 Serena Gray (MB, 6-3, Temple City, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
44 Sydney Hilley (S, 6-0, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Univ. of Wisconsin, North Country)

Head Coach: Brad Rostratter
Assistant Coach: Jonathan Charette
Assistant Coach: Cursty Jackson
Team Manager/Performance Analyst: Peter Wong
Athletic Trainer: Mandolyn Peterson

U.S. Schedule for the NORCECA Final Six
All times PDT

Aug. 20 USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-15)
Aug. 21 USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-7)
Aug. 22 USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-13)
Aug. 24 USA def. Cuba, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-19)
Aug. 24 USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 25-27, 25-14, 15-5)
Aug. 25: Semifinals, USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-15)
Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. Gold Medal Match, USA vs. Dominican Republic