Women's U23 Heads to Gold Medal Match at Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 6, 2026) — The U.S. Women’s U23 Team defeated Mexico Saturday in a thrilling five-set (27-25, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13) victory to finish 5-0 in preliminary play at the  NORCECA Women’s Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua.

The U.S. squad (5-0) faces the Dominican Republic 3-2 Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. PT for the gold. Earlier this week, the U.S. defeated the Dominican Republic 3-1.

The U.S. led Mexico in kills (58-46) and blocks (17-12), but Mexico had the edge in aces (7-3).

Head coach Alex Dunphy used all players in the win, with Kendall Omoruyi leading the offensive attack with 18 points on 16 kills and two blocks. Megan Holdges scored 16 with a match-high seven blocks and nine kills. Also in double digits were Shayla Rautenberg (five kills, five blocks, two aces) and Tessa Larkin (12 kills). Peyton Kubik notched six kills, Ireland Real had five, and setter Sophee Peterson had a kill and two blocks.

“What a fun team win,” Dunphy said. “Every single player entered the match and positively contributed to this five-set win. “Two passers, (Tessa) Larkin and (Cala) Haffner, received over 80% in system, unbelievable for a match of this level. Proud of our young athletes and how well they are representing USA.”

Rounding out the scorers were Isabel Incinelli (three kills), Taimane Ainu’u (one ace), AVa Burgess (one block) and Willtrace Ngoh (one kill). Cala Haffner led both teams with an amazing 29 digs.

The fifth set was a fitting end to a great match. With the score tied at eight, a Rautenberg block and Real kill gave the U.S. the two-advantage. Mexico scored on a U.S. error, but two kills by Real gave the U.S. a three-point lead, 12-9. A Hodges block made it 13-10, but Mexico used a U.S. error and kill to cut the lead to 13-12. Peterson blocked an attack for 14-12, and Larkin closed it out with her own kill.

U23 Pan American Cup Roster
1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 6-0, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-4, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
19 Ava Burgess (OH, 6-2, 2009, Lehi, Utah, Lone Peak HS, Intermountain)
20 Willtrace Ngoh (MB, 6-1, 2009, Richmond, Texas, Katy Seven Lakes HS, Lone Star)
21 Sophee Peterson (S, 5-11, Fort Worth, Texas, Byron Nelson HS, North Texas)
22 Isabel Incinelli (OPP/OH, 6-5, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida)
23 Nyla Livings (MB, 6-2, The Colony, Texas, Prestonwood Christian Academy, North Texas)
24 Kendall Omoruyi (OPP/MB, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Sierra Canyon HS, Southern California Southern Nevada)
25 Peyton Kubik (OH, 6-2, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley West HS, Heart of America)
26 Tessa Larkin (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory, Arizona)
27 Mallory Johnson (L, 5-9, Bryon Center, Mich., Bryon Center HS, Lakeshore)

Coaches
Head Coach: Alex Dunphy (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Haley Brightwell (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Tori Dixon (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Thomas Shaffer (Loyola Chicago)
ATC: Anthony Tam, MD, CAQSM (Henry Ford Health)
Team Lead (training block): Mallory Burbage (NTDP)
Team Lead (competition): Courtney Smith (NTDP)

U23 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times PT

Tuesday, Sept. 1: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-17)
Wednesday, Sept. 2: USA def. Costa Rica, 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-19)
Thursday, Sept. 3: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22)
Friday, Sept. 4: USA def. Nicaragua, 3-0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-15)
Saturday, Sept. 5: USA def. Mexico, 3-2 (27-25, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13)
Sunday, Sept. 6: Gold medal match: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 4 p.m. PT