COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 1, 2025) – The U.S. Women’s U23 National Team rolled to the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U23 Pan American Cup gold medal with an impressive 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-19) victory over North American rival Canada on Thursday in León, Mexico.

The U.S. finished with more kills (42-33), blocks (6-5) and aces (4-0) while making 11 fewer errors (23-12). Middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla was named tournament MVP and Best Blocker. Emmy Klika earned Best Libero, Best Digger and Best Receiver honors.

Setter Averi Carlson led the team to a .316 hitting efficiency percentage in distributing the ball evenly as five U.S. players scored between eight and 11 points in a remarkably balanced attack. Carlson added four points on three kills and an ace.

Middle blocker Raven Colvin led all players with 11 points on nine kills and two blocks. Outside hitters Eva Hudson (10 kills) and Chloe Chicoine (nine kills, one block) both scored 10 points. Chicoine recorded seven successful receptions with Hudson adding six. Klika posted a match-high 17 digs with Hudson contributing 12.

Cos-Okpalla totaled nine points on five kills, two blocks and two aces. Opposite Jurnee Robinson finished with eight points on six kills and two aces.

The first set went back-and-forth until the score was tied at 12 when the U.S. ran off 10 consecutive points. Back-to-back Robinson aces made it 18-12. After a Canada timeout, the U.S. kept its streak going, starting with a Carlson block and Chicoine kill. Chicoine led the team with five points on four kills and a block with Hudson (four kills), Carlson (three kills and a block), and Robinson (two kills to go with her two aces) each adding four points.

Cos-Okpalla scored the team’s first three points as the U.S. took a quick 4-1 lead in the second set. A Hudson kill made it 10-4. The advantage grew to 10 on a Carlson ace to make it 17-7. Canada could get no closer than eight points. A Robinson kill pushed the lead back to double digits, 20-10, after Canada scored three of four points. Cos-Okpalla and Hudson each delivered four kills in the set.

Canada took an 11-8 lead in the third set before the U.S. used a 7-1 run to take a 15-12 advantage. A Cos-Okpalla ace gave the U.S. a 13-12 lead, which was followed by a Colvin kill and Robinson block. The U.S. scored six of the next eight points to take a 19-14 lead on a Hudson kill.

Canada pulled back within two points, 21-19, but a service error stopped the run. Chicoine recorded back-to-back kills to set up match point, and Robinson clinched the gold medal with a kill. Colvin scored six points on four kills and two blocks to pace the U.S. in the set.

USA Volleyball Women’s U23 Roster

Name, (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)
1 Emmy Klika (L, 5-7, 2003, Novelty, Ohio, Pro Volleyball Federation, Ohio Valley)
3 Chloe Chicoine (OH, 5-10, 2004, Lafayette, Ind., Univ. of Louisville, Hoosier)
4 Cara Cresse (MB, 6-6, 2003, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Univ. of Louisville, Hoosier)
6 Raven Colvin (MB, 6-1, 2003, Indianapolis, Ind., Pro Volleyball Federation, Hoosier)
8 Eva Hudson (OH, 6-1, 2004, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Univ. of Kentucky, Hoosier)
9 Norah Sis (OH, 6-2, 2003, Papillion, Neb., Pro Volleyball Federation, Great Plains)
10 Averi Carlson (S, 5-11, 2003, Lucas, Texas, SMU, North Texas)
11 Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (MB, 6-2, 2004, Flower Mound, Texas, Texas A&M, North Texas)
13C Caroline Kerr (S, 5-11, 2004, Champaign, Ill., Univ. of Tennessee, Great Lakes)
15 Ava Martin (OH, 6-1, 2004, Overland Park, Kan., Creighton Univ., Heart of America)
16 Jurnee Robinson (OPP/OH, 6-1, 2004, Simpsonville, S.C., LSU, Palmetto)
18 Lauren Rumel (OPP, 6-2, 2003, Tucson, Ariz., Oregon State Univ., Arizona)

Alternates
7 Brooke Bultema (MB, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio, Univ. of Kentucky, Ohio Valley)
12 Ella Swindle (S, 6-2, 2004, Columbia, Mo., Univ. of Texas, Heart of America)
14 Devin Kahahawai (OPP, 6-4, 2004, Kailua, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)
17 Marianna Singletary (MB, 6-4, 2004, Charleston, S.C., UCLA, Southern)
19 Maya Sands (L, 5-7, Rock Falls, Ill., Univ. of Missouri, Great Lakes)

Coaches
Head Coach: Marie Zidek (DePaul)
Assistant Coach: Kayla Banwarth (PVF, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Danielle Scott (LOVB, Olympian)
Performance Analyst: Matthew Adams (Michigan)
ATC: Cherryl Bueno (Coast to Coast AthletiCare)
Team Lead: Taylor Marten (Ozark Juniors)

Schedule/Results

July 27: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-21)
July 28: USA def. Suriname, 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-7)
July 29: USA def. Costa Rica, 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-10)
July 30: Quarterfinals: USA received a bye
July 31: Semifinals: USA def. Mexico, 3-2 (20-25, 27-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10)
Aug. 1: Gold Medal Match: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-19)