Harrisburg’s Josalyn Samuels named to USA Volleyball National Team

Harrisburg volleyball freshman Josalyn Samuels was named to the USA Volleyball 2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team.

Samuels was one of 19 athletes selected to train together from June 1-7 in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado in preparation for the NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup. Twelve athletes from the group will then be chosen to represent the United States at the Pan American Cup, and those athletes will participate in a second training block from June 20-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

Samuels is a rare talent who has already achieved remarkable success as a freshman setter for Harrisburg. She was the first player pulled up from middle school to play varsity at Harrisburg, stepping in as the starting setter for the Tigers during their last two undefeated seasons, which culminated in back-to-back state championships.

She recorded 79 kills, 56 aces, 134 digs, and 870 assists in her freshman season, was named 2024 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, and is already recognized as one of the top players in the nation.

More: Meet Josalyn Samuels: the first 8th grader to play for Harrisburg volleyball in program history

The Pan American Cup will take place from June 24–29 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

“For these athletes, it will be the first time they have the honor of wearing the red, white and blue in competition,” head coach Jamie Morrison said via a press release. “It’s an honor to be the person chosen to lead them in such a special moment. These training blocks are about development and learning to play the game at an international level. I can’t wait to see what this experience and this coaching staff can pull out of each athlete.”

The U.S. Girls U19 National Team won gold at the Pan Am Cup in both 2022 and 2023 and won gold last year at the NORCECA Continental Championship. This year, the team will be in a pool with Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The full list of athletes selected to participate is below:

2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup

• Taimane Ainu’u (S, 5-11, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
• Nejari Crooks (OPP, 6-1, 2009, High Point, N.C., Wesleyan Christian Academy, Carolina)
• Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
• Taylor Harrington (MB, 6-3, 2009, Arlington, Va., Wakefield HS, Chesapeake)
• Olivia Henry (OH, 6-5, 2009, Bayside, N.Y., IMG Academy, Florida)
• Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California)
• Marissa Jones (S, 6-2, 2009, Atlanta, Ga., Woodward Academy, Southern)
• Kari Knotts (OH, 6-3, 2010, Marietta, Ga., Hightower Trail MS, Southern)
• Pulelehua Laikona (L, 5-8, 2009, Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS, Arizona)
• Leilani Lamar (OH, 6-2, 2009, Tampa, Fla., Tampa Preparatory School, Florida)
• Westley Matavao (OH, 6-0, 2009, Ontario, Calif., Mater Dei HS, Southern California)
• McKenna McIntosh (OH, 6-1, 2009, Stockton, Calif., St. Mary’s HS, Northern California)
• Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-3, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
• Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California)
• Josalyn Samuels (S, 6-1, 2009, Harrisburg, S.D., Harrisburg HS, Great Plains)
• Marlee Steiner (MB, 6-4, 2009, St. Louis, Mo., Lindbergh HS, Gateway)
• Caroline Ward (OPP, 6-0, 2009, Lizton, Ind., Tri-West Hendricks HS, Hoosier)
• Kyla Williams (MB, 6-4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio, Gilmour Academy, Ohio Valley)
• Shaye Witherspoon (OH, 6-3, 2009, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette HS, Gateway)