U.S. Women's U21 Stays Unbeaten at 2025 Pan Am Cup with Victory over Puerto Rico

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 23, 2025) — The U.S. Women’s U21 National Team stayed unbeaten at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-7, 25-15) victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The U.S. closes out pool play tomorrow, Thursday, July 24, at 4 p.m. PT against Chile. A win would send the U.S. directly into the semifinal round. Puerto Rico fell to 0-2.

The statistical domination was reflected in the scoreline as the U.S. nearly tripled Puerto Rico in kills (37-13). The U.S. recorded seven of the nine blocks in the match and all five aces.

Setters Stella Swenson and Taylor Parks combined to lead the U.S. to a phenomenal .680 hitting percentage for the match with only three errors in 50 total attacks. Libero Ramsey Gary led all players with eight successful receptions and shared match-high honors with seven digs.

Outside hitter Blaire Bayless led all players with 14 points on 12 kills, a block and an ace. She hit .800 with her 12 kills on 15 attacks without an error.

“We came off of a good win against Canada yesterday and we wanted to come into this match with the same intensity and same fire. I think we did a great job playing well over time and finishing strong,” Bayless said.

Middle blocker Lizzy Andrew registered a match-best three blocks to go with five kills for eight points. Opposite Noemie Glover (six kills and an ace) and outside Abby Vander Wal (five kills and two aces) each scored seven points. Middle blocker Ayden Ames added five points on three kills and a pair of blocks.

A Vander Wal kill gave the U.S. an early 8-3 lead. After the teams exchanged the next eight points, the U.S. scored six points in a row. Bayless served for five points with one ace, while Ames and Livings each recorded a block in the run. Four U.S. players scored at least three points in the set with Bayless leading the way with three kills and her ace. The U.S. hit .722 as a team with 14 kills and only one error in 18 total attacks.

A Bayless block and kill helped ignite a 4-0 U.S. start in the second set that caused Puerto Rico to take an early timeout. The U.S. continued the momentum with a block and kill by Andrew, helping push the lead to 8-0 at the first technical timeout. One of the longest rallies of the match featured great defense by both teams before Bayless scored on a back row attack to make it 10-2.

Another Andrew block raised the lead to double digits, 13-3. A Parks ace upped the lead to 15 (21-6). Andrew (three kills, two blocks) and Bayless (four kills, one block) both scored five points. The U.S. hit .667 with 10 kills and no errors in 12 total attacks.

Two Bayless kills helped stake the U.S. to a 5-1 lead in the third set. A Vander Wal ace pushed the lead to six points, 10-4. Puerto Rico pulled within three points, 11-8, but kills by Bayless and Andrew led to a Puerto Rico timeout.

The lead grew to eight points, 21-13, on a Vander Wal kill, and a Bayless kill stretched the advantage to 10 (24-14) and set up match point. After Puerto Rico saved one match point, the U.S. ended the match on a kill by Glover. Bayless delivered five kills in the set.

2025 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup

Name (Pos., Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
1 Lizzy Andrew (MB, 6-5, 2005, Ridgefield, Wash., Stanford University, Columbia Empire)
4 Blaire Bayless (OH, 6-2, 2005, Plano, Texas, University of Pittsburgh, North Texas)
5 Favor Anyanwu (MB, 6-3, 2006, Rowlett, Texas, Southern Methodist University, North Texas)
6 Ayden Ames (MB, 6-4, 2006, Prosper, Texas, University of Texas, North Texas)
7C Brooklyn DeLeye (OH, 6-2, 2005, Auburn, Kan., University of Kentucky, Heart of America)
8 Stella Swenson (S, 6-2, 2005, Wayzata, Minn., University of Minnesota, North Country)
11 Ramsey Gary (L, 5-7, 2005, Pendelton, Ind., University of Texas, Hoosier)
12 Noemie Glover (OPP, 6-2, 2005, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Arizona State University, Southern California)
13 Kamryn Gibadlo (OH, 6-1, 2005, Cave Creek, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona)
14 Jadyn Livings (OPP/OH, 6-1, 2006, Dallas, Texas, Southern Methodist University, North Texas)
16 Taylor Parks (S, 5-11, 2006, Clearwater, Fla., University of Florida, Florida)
19 Abby Vander Wal (OH, 6-3, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., University of Texas, Great Lakes)

Alternates
Jaela Auguste (MB, 6-2, 2006, Spring, Texas, University of Florida, Lone Star)
Carlie Cisneros (OH, 6-0, 2006, Paola, KS, University of Arizona, Heart of America)
Cristin Cline (S, 5-11, Stanfield, N.C., University of Kansas, Carolina)
Taylor Harvey (MB, 6-3, 2006, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS, Intermountain)
Abigail Mullen (OPP, 6-3, 2006, Kansas City, Mo., University of Southern California, Heart of America)
Molly Tuozzo (L, 5-8, 2005, The Woodlands, Texas, University of Kentucky, Lone Star)

Coaches
Head Coach: Heather Olmstead (BYU)
Assistant Coach: Keith Smith (TCU)
Assistant Coach: Megan Hodge Easy (Penn State)
Performance Analyst: Jimmy Kim (NTDP)
Athletic Trainer: Britta Pestak (Hawken School/University Hospital)
Team Lead: Kyle Thompson (Maryland)

Schedule
All times Pacific

July 22: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-13)
July 23: USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-13, 25-7, 25-15)
July 24: USA vs. Chile, 4 p.m.
July 25: Quarterfinals
July 26: Semifinals
July 27: Medal Matches