COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 26, 2025) —The U.S. Girls U19 National Team completed pool play undefeated after a 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-14, 27-25) victory over Puerto Rico on Thursday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
The U.S. (3-0) will meet the winner of the Costa Rica-Dominican Republic match in the semifinals tomorrow, Friday, June 27, at 1:30 p.m. PT.
The U.S. held a double-digit advantage in kills (57-46) for the third consecutive match and finished with two more blocks (8-6). Puerto Rico led in aces 12-9, with half of them in the final set.
MATCH STATISTICS (PDF)
Outside hitters Kari Knotts and Ireland Real finished with identical numbers with 19 points on 16 kills, a block and two aces. Knotts led the team with 10 digs and seven successful receptions, while Real added nine digs.
Middle blocker Taylor Harrington led all players with six blocks, adding six kills and an ace for 13 total points. Megan Hodges also reached double digits with 12 points on 11 kills and one ace.
Libero Cala Haffner and setter Marissa Jones each recorded eight digs with Hodges contributing seven.
“It was a hard-fought match, and I’m just so proud that my team showed up today,” Jones said. “We faced adversity, especially during the first set, but we all just came together, and individually everyone stepped up and gave it their all the whole entire match. We continue to trust our training and believe in our coaches. I’m so proud of the outcome, and we’re focusing on continuing to get better.”
Puerto Rico took a lead it never relinquished in the first set at 9-8. A Harrington kill, Hodges ace and Knotts kill late in the set brought the U.S. within two points, 22-20, before Puerto Rico scored the final three points. Knotts and Real each recorded four kills with Harrington scoring four points on two kills and two blocks.
A Kyla Williams ace put the U.S. ahead 5-1 to start the second set and force a quick timeout. The lead grew to six points, 9-3, before a 7-1 surge by Puerto Rico evened the set at 10. The U.S. called timeout and scored the next five points, scoring the first three on a Real kill and two Jones aces.
A Knotts kill put the U.S. up 19-16 but Puerto Rico scored the next three points to tie the set. The U.S. finished the set with a 6-1 run with Crooks scoring four points on kills, three of which were tooled off the block. Knotts also registered four kills in the set and Real, who ended the set on a kill, scored four points on three kills and an ace.
The U.S. led 10-8 in the third set before going on a 5-0 run that put them in control. Puerto Rico managed just six points the rest of the set as the U.S. took a 2-1 set lead. Hodges led all players with six kills and Knotts scored five points on three kills and two aces. Harrington added four points on two kills and a pair of blocks.
Both teams took advantage of a lengthy delay before the start of the fourth set to show off their dancing skills. Once play resumed, each team put together mini runs in the first half of the set. The U.S. used a 4-0 run to take a 13-10 lead and force a Puerto Rico time out.
Puerto Rico used its second 4-0 stretch of the set to take the lead, 17-16. Play continued to go back and forth for the remainder of the set with Puerto Rico earning set points at 25-24 and 26-25 before the U.S. scored the final three points, one on a Knotts kill and the last two on hitting errors. Real paced the U.S. with seven points on five kills, a block and an ace. Knotts totaled six points on five kills and a block.
2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup
(Name, Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, High School, Region)
1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 5-11, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
2 Nejari Crooks (OPP, 6-1, 2009, High Point, N.C., Wesleyan Christian Academy, Carolina)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
4 Taylor Harrington (MB, 6-3, 2009, Arlington, Va., Wakefield HS, Chesapeake)
5 Olivia Henry (OH, 6-5, 2009, Bayside, N.Y., IMG Academy, Florida)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California)
7 Marissa Jones (S, 6-2, 2009, Atlanta, Ga., Woodward Academy, Southern)
8 Kari Knotts (OH, 6-3, 2010, Marietta, Ga., Hightower Trail MS, Southern)
11 Westley Matavao (OH, 6-0, 2009, Ontario, Calif., Mater Dei HS, Southern California)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-3, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California)
18 Kyla Williams (MB, 6-4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio, Gilmour Academy, Ohio Valley)
Alternates
9 Pulelehua Laikona (L, 5-8, 2009, Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS, Arizona)
10 Leilani Lamar (OH, 6-2, 2009, Tampa, Fla., Tampa Preparatory School, Florida)
12 McKenna McIntosh (OH, 6-1, 2009, Stockton, Calif., St. Mary’s HS, Northern California)
15 Josalyn Samuels (S, 6-1, 2009, Harrisburg, S.D., Harrisburg HS, North Country)
16 Marlee Steiner (MB, 6-4, 2009, St. Louis, Mo., Lindbergh HS, Gateway)
17 Caroline Ward (OPP, 6-0, 2009, Lizton, Ind., Tri-West Hendricks HS, Hoosier)
19 Shaye Witherspoon (OH, 6-3, 2009, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette HS, Gateway)
Coaches
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison (Texas A&M)
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman Smith (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Maggie Eppright (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Michael Bouril (Mississippi State)
Athletic Trainer: Rebecca Himes (PVF)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)
2025 Girls U19 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times Pacific
All matches will be livestreamed on Volleyball Canada YouTube
June 24: USA def. Venezuela, 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-21)
June 25: USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23)
June 26: USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-14, 27-25)
June 27: 1:30 p.m. USA vs. Costa Rica/Dominican Republic
June 28: Medal Match, TBA