Women's U21 Team Wins Pool at 2023 Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 26, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s U21 National Team swept Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-9) to win Pool B on Friday and advance straight to Saturday night’s semifinals.

The U.S. will play at 6 p.m. Saturday against an as-yet-to-be-determined opponent.

The tournament started a day later than planned, so pool play matches and quarterfinals were both being played Friday. The U.S. wanted to avoid having to play twice in one day, giving the Costa Rica match even more significance.

“It was very important for us to get this win so we could rest tonight, and it was important to continue to play a lot of players,” head coach Dan Fisher said. “Going into the playoffs we want to be fresh. We like the challenge that’s ahead of us.”

Match Statistics (PDF)

The U.S. led Costa Rica in kills (41-14), blocks (13-1) and aces (6-0). Every player on the U.S. team had a chance to play in the match.

Middle blocker Marianna Singletary led all scorers with 13 points on eight kills, three blocks and two aces.

“We felt great on the court,” Singletary said. “Every girl here deserves to be on the team. We are a great family, and we just focused on being consistent; if we play our best, play calm we can take on any opponent. We have really good defense and offense all around, as well as serving pressure. We are coming out to play hard in the next matches.”

McKenna Wucherer scored nine points on eight kills and an ace. Chloe Chicoine scored eight points on four kills, three blocks and an ace. Norah Sis scored seven points on six kills and a block, and Allie Sczech also scored seven (five kills, two blocks). Eva Hudson scored six on four kills, one block and one ace. Also scoring:

Gabrielle Essix: Three points (one kill, two blocks)
Devin Kahahawai: Three points (three kills)
Bre Kelley: Two points (two kills)
Alexis Stucky: Two points (one block, one ace)

Libero Lauren Briseño was credited with five digs and eight receptions (six of them excellent). Hudson led the U.S. with seen digs.

2023 Women’s U21 NORCECA Pan American Cup Roster
Name (Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, College, USAV Region)

2 Lauren Briseño (L, 5-7, 2003, San Antonio, Texas, Baylor, Lone Star)
3 Chloe Chicoine (OH, 5-10, 2004, Lafayette, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)
5 Rachel Fairbanks (S, 6-0, 2003, Santa Ana, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
7 Mckenna Wucherer (OH, 6-1, 2004, Brookfield, Wis., Univ. of Minnesota, Badger)
8 Eva Hudson (OH, 6-1, 2004, Fort Wayne, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)
9 Norah Sis (OH, 6-2, 2003, Papillion, Neb., Creighton, Great Plains)
10 Alexis Stucky (S, 6-2, 2004, Laramie, Wyo., Univ. of Florida, Rocky Mountain)
13 Gabrielle Essix (MB, 6-3, Hoover, Ala., Univ. of Florida, Southern)
14 Devin Kahahawai (Opp, 6-4, 2004, Kailua, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)
15 Allie Sczech (Opp, 6-4, 2004, Sugar Land, Texas, Baylor, Lone Star)
16 Bre Kelley (MB, 6-4, 2003, Rockwall, Texas, Undecided. North Texas)
17 Marianna Singletary (MB, 6-4, 2004, Charleston, S.C., Texas, Southern)

Head Coach: Dan Fisher
Assistant Coaches: Josh Walker and Jessica Aschenbrenner
Team Leader: Jeffrey Wanderer
Athletic Trainer: Rebecca Duran
Performance Analyst: AJ Ruttenberg

Alternates
1 Emmy Klika (L, 5-7, 2003, Novelty, Ohio, Pitt, Ohio Valley)
4 Caroline Bien (OH, 6-0, 2003, Overland Park, Kan., Univ. of Kansas, Heart of America)
6 Raven Colvin (MB, 6-1, 2003, Indianapolis, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)
11 Mimi Colyer (OH, 6-3, 2004, Lincoln, Calif., Univ. of Oregon, Northern California)
12 Ella Swindle (S, 6-2, 2004, Columbia, Mo., Univ. of Texas, Heart of America)
18 Kennedy Martin (OPP, 6-6, 2005, Fort Mill, S.C., Univ. of Florida, Badger)

U.S. Women’s U21 Schedule for the Pan American Cup
(All times PT)
May 24 USA def Guatemala, 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-14)
May 25 USA def Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-14)
May 26 USA def. Costa Rica, 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-9)
May 27 Semifinal USA vs. TBA 6 pm. PT
May 28 Medal Matches