COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (July 29, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s U23 National Team dropped an exciting opening match at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 31-29, 25-16) to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The U.S. returns to action July 30 at 3 p.m. PDT against Mexico.

The U.S. recorded 12 of the 16 blocks in the match and four of six aces but could not overcome 37 errors and a 62-51 deficit in kills.

Opposite George Bruening led the U.S. with 20 points on 16 kills, a block and a match-high three aces. Middle blocker Cam Thorne posted a match-high five blocks, one more than the Dominican Republic, and added 10 kills for 15 points. Fellow middle Nicodemus Meyer also totaled 15 points with 14 kills and a block.

Outside hitter Patrick Rogers contributed seven points on six kills and a block. Libero Ryan Merk led the U.S. with 10 kills and five successful receptions.

Barnett scored on an overpass to put the U.S. up 10-8 in the first set. A Rogers block made it 14-11, and Bruening made a mid-air adjustment to score on a tip and give the U.S. its biggest lead of the set at four points, 17-13.

The Dominican Republic responded with a 5-1 run to even the set at 18. Bruening recorded a kill and an ace as the U.S. scored three points in a row for a 22-19 lead. Rogers tallied the last two U.S. points, giving him five points on four kills and a block in the set.

The Dominican Republic jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the second set and still led 13-9 when the U.S. went on a 5-2 run to pull within a point, 15-14.

Trailing 21-18, the U.S. tied the set on a Bruening kill, a Thorne block and a Dominican Republic hitting error. A Flayter block gave the U.S. set point at 24-23, but a service error and back-to-back blocks evened the match at one set each. Bruening led all players with eight kills.

Trailing 9-7 in the third set, the Dominican Republic took the lead with a 4-0 run. The lead grew to five points, 20-15. The U.S. used a Thorne kill and consecutive aces by Bruening to pull within a point, 23-22. A Barnett kill tied the set at 24.

The U.S. then saved four set points before earning its first set point, 29-28, on an error. The Dominican Republic scored the last three points to take the set. Bruening led the U.S. with eight points on six kills and two aces. Adrian Figueroa of the Dominican Republic registered 14 kills in the set.

Continuing its momentum from the end of the third set, the Dominican Republic scored four of the first five points in the fourth set and never trailed in clinching the match. The U.S. cut the lead to two points, 9-7, only to see the Dominican Republic stretch the lead to seven with a 6-1 run and a 15-8 lead on its way to clinching the match. Barnett led all players with six kills.

USA Volleyball Men’s U23 Roster for Pan Am Cup

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)

1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
4 Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, 2005, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
5 Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, 2004, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
6 Ryan Barnett (OH, 6-5, 2003, Vero Beach, Fla., Pepperdine, Florida)
8 Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, 2004, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
9 Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, 2004, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
14 Nicodemus Meyer (MB, 6-4, 2003, Franklin, Wisc., Loyola Chicago, Badger)
18 Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, 2004, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
19 George Bruening (OPP, 6-10, 2004, Newport Beach, Calif., UCSB, Southern California)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., USC, Southern California)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
25 Theo Snoey (OH/OPP, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)

Alternates
2 Donovan Constable (S, 6-2, 2003, Clovis, Calif., CSUN, Northern California)
7 Andrew Deardorff (OH, 6-5, 2003, Itasca, Ill., St. Francis, Great Lakes)
10 Paul Wyszynski (L, 6-0, 2003, Northbrook, Ill.,  Miedzyrzeckie Towarzystwo Siatkarskie, Great Lakes)
13 D’Aaron McCraney (MB, 6-9, 2003, Las Vegas, Nev., McKendree, Southern California)
16 Nyherowo Omene (OPP, 6-7, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
23 Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)

Coaches
Head Coach: Nickie Sanlin (McKendree)
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy (Indoor VC, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Luke Reynolds (Pepperdine)
Performance Analyst: Mackenna Basore (Auburn)
ATC: Claire Pointer (LOVB Madison)
Team Lead: Will Berdecia (OTVA)

Schedule

All times Pacific

July 29: Dominican Republic def. USA, 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 31-29, 25-16)
July 30: USA vs. Mexico, 3 p.m.
July 31: USA vs. Belize, 3 p.m.
Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
Aug. 2: Semifinals/Classification Matches
Aug. 3: Medal Matches/Classification Matches

International Olympic Committee news

Less than a year after hosting Olympic and Paralympic competitions, the Olympic Aquatics Centre has recently re-opened to the public – delivering on the Games’ long-term vision to bring lasting benefits to local communities, create opportunities for everyday sport, and make smart use of public investment. Designed from the outset to serve well beyond the Games, the Centre is now a permanent public facility in one of France’s most underserved areas for sports infrastructure.

Community first

During Paris 2024, the Centre staged Olympic and Paralympic diving, water polo and artistic swimming competitions. Located in Seine-Saint-Denis – a densely populated suburb in the north of Paris, and one of the youngest and most diverse areas in France – the venue reflected a core ambition of the organisers: to bring the Games closer to communities, and to invest in infrastructure with long-term local value. It also embodies the reforms brought forward by the IOC’s strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020, which places legacy, sustainability and long-term public value at the centre of the planning and delivery of the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 was the first Games edition to fully implement this roadmap.

“The Olympic Aquatics Centre represents our ambition to make the Olympic Games more useful and more impactful. It is a venue designed not only to host world-class competition, but also to serve the everyday needs of the wider community for years to come. It shows what is possible when the Olympic Games are planned and organised with a long-term vision in mind.”

Marie Sallois
IOC Director for Sustainability

Now reconfigured in its legacy mode, the Olympic Aquatics Centre includes four pools: a 50-metre competition pool, a diving pool, a learning pool for schoolchildren, and a leisure pool open to all. It also offers nine padel courts, a 1,000m² climbing hall, multiple fitness spaces, a restaurant and snack bar, and a sports “recyclerie” that includes co-repair workshops and a solidarity shop for used equipment.

More than 50 new jobs are being created to support the daily operations and programming of the Aquatics Centre, including roles in facility management, sports instruction and visitor services. Recruitment is being prioritised for local residents through partnerships with France Travail and the local authority, Plaine Commune. The venue also acted as a catalyst for local employment during its construction, generating over 80,000 hours of work and providing training opportunities for jobseekers and young people.

As the first completed facility in the broader Grand Pleyel redevelopment zone – a major urban project that will reshape this part of northern Paris through new housing, transport connections and public services – the Aquatics Centre anchors sport as a lasting part of the city’s future.

A new benchmark for sustainable design

With full stands and a dynamic atmosphere, the Centre was one of the most visually distinctive venues of Paris 2024. Athletes competed in world-class conditions beneath a striking timber roof that captured global attention and reflected the sustainable design principles of the Games.

Constructed in under three years on the former industrial site of Plaine Saulnier – adjacent to the Stade de France – the Centre was delivered on time and on budget. The building itself sets a new benchmark for sustainable venue design. Its 90-metre roof is made from 90% bio-sourced French wood from sustainably managed forests. Entirely self-supporting, the structure eliminates the need for internal pillars, providing clear sightlines and a strong architectural identity. The Centre uses 50% less energy than a typical aquatic facility, thanks to features like water recycling, natural ventilation and high-efficiency lighting – contributing to Paris 2024’s ambition to deliver Games with a reduced carbon footprint.

Blending high performance and public use

Looking ahead, the venue will continue to balance high performance with public use, as well as serve as an elite pole for the French Swimming Federation. In 2026, it will serve as a key site for the European Swimming Championships, reinforcing its dual role as both a high-performance environment and a community anchor.

In the coming weeks, the Olympic rings will be installed on the façade, and the venue will be formally named the Centre Aquatique Olympique Métropole du Grand Paris. As it reopens, it stands not only as a reminder of the Games, but also as a lasting asset for the community it was built to serve.

“The Olympic Aquatics Centre, an iconic venue of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will soon become the most popular pool in France.  In an area where access to sports infrastructure remains among the lowest in the country, and where too many children are unable to learn to swim, this facility meets long-standing needs.”

Marie Barsacq
Minister for Sport, Youth and Community Life, France

International Olympic Committee

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a not-for-profit independent international organisation that is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 3.4 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC acts as a catalyst for collaboration between all parties of the Olympic family, from the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the International Sports Federations (IFs), the athletes and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) to the Worldwide Olympic Partners, broadcast partners and United Nations (UN) agencies, and shepherds success through a wide range of programmes and projects. On this basis, it ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations of the Olympic Movement and strongly encourages, by appropriate means, the promotion of the Olympic values.

More from International Olympic Committee

The Schulenburg Lady Horn volleyball team proudly announced last week that its members received the 2024-25 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 12th consecutive year.Team members last season were: Miranda Bonner, Reagan Dusek, Jenna Guentert, Avery Helms, Jashiya Jackson, Michaela Kollmann, Madison Kunschick, Clara Magliolo, Emmrie Marx, Grace Schra…

UCLA Bruins setter Zayna Meyer didn’t hold back when asked about her team’s goals for the season Tuesday at Big Ten Volleyball Media Days in Chicago.

“We want to win a natty. We’re going for the Final Four. We want to be Big Ten Champions,” Meyer said.

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The setter is a graduate transfer from Long Beach State, where she earned Big West Setter of the Year Honors in 2023. Meyer redshirted her freshman year at BYU and is one of five transfers joining the Bruins’ roster this year.

“I think with the conversation of integrating a lot of people, it’s really important to understand that this process of our program has been on a pathway now for a couple years, and we’re very excited to cash in on something unique and special that includes a crux eight players that have been in our program for the past two to three years,” head coach Alfee Reft said. “Those players coming in have bought into the vision of our program, they’ve bought into the direction of what we’re doing, and that’s really exciting. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait for the start of our season for us to finally be in the gym together.”

In addition to Meyer, the Bruins added sophomore libero Lola Schumacher from Wisconsin this offseason. As a freshman for the Badgers, Schumacher started 23 of 30 games played and recorded four matches with over 20 digs.

“She’s a tremendous piece that we’ve added to an already strong core of passers and defenders we have. Lola elevates us in that position. She’s feisty, she’s competitive, she sees the game really well, she moves really well,” Reft said. “I think she’s not only going to bring a great competitive level to our gym, she’s going to make our hitters better. Honestly one of the best things about having this many pieces in a gym is your players, whether on this side or that side of the gym, have to put the ball down against the best every day, and I think she’s only adding to that prowess we have.”

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UCLA is a volleyball school. The Bruins’ men’s program finished second-best in the nation last season, falling in three sets to Long Beach State in the national championship.

Meyer came from Long Beach and is used to having a high-caliber men’s program to watch and learn from. She said she enjoys watching the Bruins men play, especially setter Andrew Rowan.

“I think [the UCLA men’s success is] amazing. It could not be better watching men’s volleyball at a super high level,” Meyer said. “I honestly think it just fires us up to be better. I don’t think necessarily it’s more pressure, but I think at UCLA we’re destined for greatness.”

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State College Sports Medicine Department will be holding a student-athlete physical date tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30th. IMPORTANT: The physicals will now be taking place on the third floor of Gleeson Hall.

Please arrive at Gleeson Hall during your designated time slot in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers and bring your cell phone or an iPad to complete the concussion testing. In addition, download the Sway medical app before arrival to save time. If there is a conflict in the time or if you have any questions, please email: FSCsportsmedicine@Farmingdale.edu

Sport-specific time slots are as follows:

Baseball/Softball/Golf – 4:00pm

Men’s and Women’s Basketball/Volleyball – 4:30pm

Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse – 5:00pm

Men’s and Women’s Soccer – 5:30pm

Cross Country/Track and Field/Men’s and Women’s Tennis – 6:00pm

All new and returning student-athletes for the 2025-26 academic year are required to complete a physical in order to be cleared for practices and competition.

Physicals will be conducted by physicians from Orlin and Cohen in conjunction with the Farmingdale State training staff, and will include general physicals, orthopedic screenings, and concussion baseline testing. 

All student-athletes must complete and submit the required forms. Please use Sportsware to upload your most recent insurance card. Instructions to register or log in are included in the forms below:

New or transfer student-athletes paperwork – (Send completed sickle cell forms to FSCsportsmedicine@farmingdale.edu)

Returning student-athlete paperwork

** Any athlete that is under the age of 18, please be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or have a letter stating that you are allowed to participate in the physical, ortho screening and concussion baseline testing signed by your parent or legal guardian **

** If any student-athlete cannot make the July 30th physical date, physicals can be done by your own physician or at the FSC Health and Wellness Center – Call 934-420-2009 to schedule an appointment **

It was seven months ago when Penn State women’s volleyball won its eighth national championship in program history. Now, on August 23, it will begin its bid to repeat as national champions when it opens its season against Creighton in the AVCA First Serve Event.

On Monday, Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, libero Gillian Grimes, and setter Izzy Starck took the podium in Chicago for Big Ten Volleyball Media Days ahead of the 2025 season. The national champs will look completely different ahead of next season as they lost five players from last year’s team. Now, the Nittany Lions will have to depend on newer faces if they are to become the first team to repeat as national champions since the Texas Longhorns did it in 2021-22.

“I don’t think I’ve changed a lot in the gym with these guys. I think it’s more of just always being present and enjoying the little things,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “They know they need to put in the work and the time to be great, and they hold each other accountable. I think the standard is still the same, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Despite losing three starters from last year’s team, Penn State has been busy reloading its roster for the 2025 season as it added five recruits on National Signing Day and three transfers, including 2024 AVCA First-Team All-American Kennedy Martin during the offseason. Along with the veterans from last year’s team, the expectations for next season haven’t changed at all for the Nittany Lions.

Nevertheless, Penn State will not be the favorites to win the Big Ten heading into next season, as Nebraska claimed the top spot in the Big Ten preseason poll, ahead of Penn State, which came in second. It has a tough regular season schedule as it will face 16 teams that made last year’s NCAA Tournament, but the team still has the same goal as always: winning.

“I think our goal is to always win, and these guys have really high expectations. But you can do everything right and still fall short, so I think it’s just coming to work every day and being prepared and being the best teammates they can be,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “We do want to win again, and is there pressure? I think it’s fun for these guys. I think they’ve handled themselves very well on and off the court, and that matters.”

After winning the national championship last season, the Nittany Lions will have a lot of pressure to repeat, just like all returning national championship teams do. Not only will the spotlight be very high on Penn State because of that, but also because it will have a record of 16 regular-season matches being televised, including four nationally televised matches on FOX.

However, Penn State doesn’t look to be deterred by this pressure, as it is setting its own expectations for next season and making sure that the spotlight doesn’t get too much on the players. To make that happen, the veterans in the team, like Starck, know that they will have to be the leaders to help the new players on the team.

“I think there’s always been pressure for us, so I think coming into this season it’s just the same mindset we always have of how we work hard with each other, how we push each other,” Starck said. “I definitely think winning the National Championship last year does help us because we know what it takes, and we know how to help the new players in the program, of how we can be the best functioning team together.”

As the Nittany Lions continue to prepare for next season, the spring has served as the perfect opportunity for new recruits like Emmi Sellman and Gabrielle Nichols to showcase their talents. In Penn State’s spring match against Pitt, Sellman had 19 kills on a .341 hitting percentage. She also added four service aces, six digs, and three blocks, as she is looking to replicate the same production as Jess Mruzik did.

Nichols, who also appeared in the spring match, has high expectations heading into the season as she was selected to the USA’s U19 Team that competed in the 2025 World Championship in the summer, where it finished second. With the spring being over, Grimes said that a lot stood out from the new recruits in the spring.

“I think they both bring such a competitive energy to the gym, and I think that’s all what we need, and like I said, Coach [Schumacher-Cawley] does a great job of recruiting players that want to be here and are really competitive,” Grimes said. “I think they just bring such competitiveness to the team that is needed, too.”