Women's U23 Team Stays Undefeated at 2026 Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 3, 2026) — The U.S. Women’s U23 Team rebounded from a first-set loss to defeat the Domincan Republic, 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22) at the NORCECA Women’s Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua, on Wednesday.

The U.S. squad (3-0) faces Nicaragua on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. PT.

The U.S. blocking game was on fire, as the team notched 18 to just eight for the Dominican Republic. The U.S. also led in kills (51-37) and aces (8-3), and benefited from 57 Dominican errors.

“Unbelievable match by Kendall Omoruyi,” head coach Alex Dunphy said. “She was able to handle a high volume and attack with a strong efficiency to lead the team. We showed great toughness for a young squad.”

Omoruyi scored 21 points on 19 kills and two blocks. She was matched by Tessa Larkin with 14 kills, four blocks and a match-high three aces. Megan Hodges scored 13 points (seven kills, a match-high five blocks and one ace); and Ava Burgess had five kills, two blocks and two aces.

Shayla Rautenberg contributed eight points (four kills, three blocks, one ace); setter Sophee Peterson had a kill, two blocks and an ace; and Peyton Kubik had a kill. Libero Cala Haffner led the U.S. with 15 digs.

After the U.S. dropped the first set, the two teams battled in set two, exchanging leads a handful of times. Tied at 11, the Domincan Republic reeled off four points for a 15-11 lead, but the U.S. scored the next five for a 16-15 lead. At 18-18, kills by Hodges and Larkin (2), pushed the lead to three at 21-18. Again, the Dominican Republic fought back to tie the set at 22, but the U.S. won on an opponent error, Rautenberg block and Peterson kill.

Sets three and four followed nearly the same pattern. In the third, the two teams were tied for a final time at 22. The U.S. closed out the set with kills from Larkin and Hodges, and a block from Burgess. In the fourth, the Dominican Republic led 20-18, but the U.S. scored four straight for a 22-20 lead. The U.S. had two match points disappear before Omoruyi finished the match with her 19th 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 vs. Nicaragua, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: USA vs. Mexico, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6: Finals