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U.S. Girls U19 Team to Play for Gold at 2025 Pan American Cup

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 27, 2025) —The U.S. Girls U19 National Team secured its spot in the gold medal match of the 2025 NORCECA Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-20) win over the Dominican Republic in the first semifinal match on Friday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The U.S. (4-0) will meet the winner of the second semifinal between Mexico and host Canada for gold tomorrow, Saturday, June 28 at 1 p.m. PT.

MATCH STATISTICS (PDF)

For the fourth time in as many matches, the U.S. held a double-digit margin in kills (41-26). The U.S. squad had one more block (6-5) and ace (5-4), and two fewer errors.

Each of the match’s top four scorers were U.S. players with Megan Hodges leading the way with 14 points on 12 kills, a block and an ace. Middle blocker Taylor Harrington (six kills, two blocks and match-high three aces) and outside hitter Olivia Henry (nine kills and two blocks) each scored 11 points, with Henry recording a team-high seven successful receptions.

Libero Cala Haffner posted a match-best with 12 digs and finished with six successful receptions. Setter Taimane Ainu’u led the U.S. offense to a .276 hitting percentage. Outside Westley Matavao added nine points on eight kills and an ace and was second on the team with seven digs.

“It was a really fun match tonight,” Matavao said. “Each of us did our jobs and we played as one unit. We had a really good time out there on the court. I’m so excited for the final tomorrow. Go USA!”

A Hodges kill gave the U.S. a 17-14 lead in the first set before the Dominican Republic scored six of the next eight points to take a 20-19 lead. The U.S. rebounded after a timeout to end the set on its own 6-2 run. After a Dominican Republic error, the U.S. took the lead for good on a Harrington ace, Hodges kill and Rautenberg kill.

Hodges ended the set with her fourth kill and sixth point. Harrington added three kills to her ace for four points, and Henry notched four points on three kills and a block.

After falling behind 4-0 to start the second set, the U.S. took control with a 17-3 run to amass a 10-point lead. Harrington scored five points on three kills, a block and an ace in that stretch and for the set, while Montavao contributed five points on four kills and an ace.

The third set went back and forth before the U.S. used a four-point to take the lead for good at 19-16. Henry started the stretch with a kill and a block. Hodges scored on an overpass to extend the lead to five points, 23-18, and scored again for a 24-20 lead. An error ended the match.

Hodges led all players with five kills in the final set. Henry added four points on three 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: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-20)
June 28: 1 p.m. Gold Medal Match, USA vs. Canada/Mexico



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Aggie Volleyball Signs Gianna Bogan Ahead of 2026 Season

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DAVIS, Calif. — As UC Davis volleyball prepares for their first season in the Mountain West Conference, head coach Dan Conners has signed his first recruit for the new season, with Gianna Bogan joining the Aggies in the 2026 winter quarter.

“We are very excited about Gianna joining the program. She has excellent ball control skills and a fast arm.” Said Coach Conners.  

“Most importantly, she embodies the cultural characteristics that fit Aggie Volleyball with a hardworking, resilient, and team-first attitude.  We anticipate that Gianna will take advantage of the opportunity to have an immediate impact.”

A 6’0 outside hitter for Rocklin High School, Bogan had a decorated career for the Thunder, collecting over 1,000 career kills during her junior season while being named a First-Team All-Sierra Foothill League player as a sophomore, junior, and senior.

As a senior, Bogan also served as the on-court leader for a team that became the first public school in the California San Joaquin Section to make a run at the CIF volleyball open state final, the high school state championship of volleyball. She was also given the “Pursuing Victory With Honor” award at the competition, which recognizes student-athletes for exceptional sportsmanship, ethics, and character. 

Her 326 kills also led Bogan to be named to the Optimist All-Star Game, an annual Sacramento area charity event, where she was named MVP of the volleyball competition. 

By joining the team in January, Bogan will have the opportunity to practice with the Aggies ahead of the rest of the 2026 signing class, which will be announced in the spring.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS: 

UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked #1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as #1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27. 

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/. 

 



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Kentucky volleyball game time today, Wisconsin vs UK Final 4 channel

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Updated Dec. 18, 2025, 1:07 p.m. ET



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Johansson Earns Big Ten Weekly Honors – University of Nebraska

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Nebraska’s track and field’s Axelina Johansson earned Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, announced by the conference office on Wednesday. After her record setting performance, Johansson also earned USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week. 

With a mark of 19.72m (64-8 ½), the senior from Hok, Sweden set a Husker school record, Swedish record and NCAA indoor record in the shot put en route to winning the event title at the Husker Holiday Open. Johansson is the first Husker to win Big Ten weekly honors since Henry Zimmerman won Field Athlete of the Week on Feb. 26, 2025. 

Nebraska is back in action on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Graduate Classic at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.

 



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21 NJAC Women’s Volleyball Players Earn Academic All-District Recognition

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PITMAN, NJ — The New Jersey Athletic Conference had 21 student-athletes named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams for NCAA Division III, as announced by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
 
The Academic All-District® honor recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot, with finalists denoted by an asterisk. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced January 13, 2026.
 
The 21 NJAC honorees are listed below by institution:
 
Aubre Adams, Kean
Annabelle Valencia, Kean
Bryn Bautista, Montclair State
Sofia DiProfio, Montclair State
Camryn Muuss, Montclair State
Lily Thomas, Montclair State
Katie Bishop, Ramapo
Ava Best, Rowan
Gabriella Cooper, Rowan
Hutton Cordrey, Rowan
Vanessa Hutchinson, Rowan
Shayla Moody-Santos, Rutgers-Newark
Jaedyn Simba-Malasarte, Rutgers-Newark
Kristen Burton, Stockton
Kate Louer*, Stockton
Lauren Sommer, Stockton
Rileigh Wilson, Stockton
Kristian Glenn, William Paterson
Laura Gruener, William Paterson
Abby Houpt, William Paterson
Cecilia Miller, William Paterson
 



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Four Eagles Named To CSC Academic All-District Volleyball Team

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GREENWOOD, Ind. – North Carolina Central student-athletes Neira Joldic, Loren Johnson, Makenzi Searcy and Manuela Cripa Nasser earned spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Division I Volleyball Team this week.

The CSC Academic All-District honor recognized student-athletes who were at least a sophomore academically and athletically, posted at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and played in at least 90 percent or started in at least 66 percent of the team’s games in the 2025 season. Liberos qualified as starters for nominating purposes. 

The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

 



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Three Monarchs Named to Academic All-District Volleyball Team

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NORFOLK, Va. – The 2025-26 Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, were announced earlier this week with Kate Kilpatrick, Adrienne Peji, and Elisa Maggi all earning the distinction.

The Academic All-District teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances both on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average, compete in 90% of their team’s matches, or start in at least 66% of the team’s matches. Liberos, although not counted in stats as starters, were counted as such for nominating purposes. Nominees must also have completed one full calendar year at their institution and be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically.

Click here to view this year’s Academic All-District teams.

This marks the second time Kilpatrick and Magi have earned Academic All-District honors and it is the first time for Peji.

Kilpatrick appeared in 25 matches for the Monarchs this season, all at libero, and led the team with 28 service aces and 353 digs (3.84 per set). Her other season totals included 102 assists, 28 points, and a 93.6 serve receive percentage. The Raleigh, North Carolina native reached double-digit digs 21 times, to include a season high 23 digs versus Georgia State on Oct. 18. The junior became the first Monarch in program history to eclipse 1,000 career digs.

Peji played in all 27 matches for ODU, starting eight, and led the team in sets played with 99. Her junior season saw her tally 196 digs (1.98 per set), 26 assists, 17 aces, one kill, and 18 points. The defensive specialist from Virginia Beach had 10 double-digit dig performances, including a new career high of 16 digs at Coastal Carolina on Oct. 4.

Maggi started all 27 matches, played in 98 sets, and finished the regular season ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in both total attacks (1,006) and attacks per set (10.27). She led the Monarchs with 357.5 points and 315 kills (3.21 per set), was second on the team with 220 digs (2.25 per set), and was third with 21 aces and 39 blocks. The junior from Pavia, Italy turned in four double-doubles and was named to both the UMBC and VCU All-Tournament Teams.



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