Girls U19 Team Wins 2023 Pan Am Cup Gold

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2023) – The U.S. Girls U19 National Team (5-0) won its second consecutive Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-8, 25-18, 25-18) win over Mexico Sunday evening in Puerto Rico.

The U.S. defeated Mexico for the second time this week, and they did not lose a set in the tournament. Outside hitter Blaire Bayless was named MVP. Lizzy Andrew earned the Best Blocker award, and Ava Falduto was named Best Receiver.

“This medal started back last week in Anaheim when all 20 of the girls on the national team were training and preparing for the Pan Am Cup,” Bayless said. “I’m so beyond honored to have worn this jersey and represent my country in this tournament. I could not be more excited to be bringing home the gold.”

All 12 players saw action in the final match. Andrew led all scorers with 13 points on five kills, three blocks and five aces. Bayless had 10 points on seven kills, two aces and a block. Olivia Babcock tallied eight points on eight kills. Julia Blyashov picked up seven points (four kills, two blocks, one ace).

Abby Vander Wal and Jaela Auguste each scored five points. Vander Wal had four kills and a block; Auguste had five kills. Calissa Minatee scored four points on two kills and two aces. Teraya Sigler had three kills, Kacie Demaria had two kills, and setter Izzy Starck had an ace.

Falduto had 10 digs and 13 serve receptions, with eight rated excellent.

Match Statistics (PDF)

After the match, U.S. head coach Keegan Cook gave a shoutout to Puerto Rico and the solid play of the U.S. and Mexican teams.

“First, congratulations to Mexico on an outstanding tournament, particularly in the playoff rounds, and a huge thank you to the Puerto Rico volleyball community and NORCECA for running a tremendous event,” U.S. head coach Keegan Cook said. “I’m really impressed with how our group started tonight’s match. I thought they played their best volleyball in the most important moment. It was really impressive to have so many players contributing at so many different positions without missing a beat. [It’s a] great start to their young careers, and I look forward to their development looking forward. Go USA!”

Blyashov and Starck both picked up their second Pan Am Cup gold medals in less than a year.

“We brought it today; Mexico is a wonderful team, but we gave it our all,” Blyashov said. “Each game we kept getting better and feeling more together. For me, it’s my second gold medal in a row and it’s an honor to repeat this.”

No. Name (Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, Region)
1 Lizzy Andrew (MB, 6-5, 2005, Ridgefield, Wash., Ridgefield HS, Columbia Empire)
2 Jaela Auguste (MB, 6-2, 2006, Spring, Texas, Grand Oaks HS, Lonestar)
3 Olivia Babcock (OPP, 6-4, 2005, Los Angeles, Calif., Sierra Canyon HS, Southern California)
4 Blaire Bayless (OH, 6-2, 2005, Plano, Texas, Plano West Senior HS, North Texas)
5 Julia Blyashov (OH, 6-3, 2005, San Diego, Calif., Cathedral Catholic HS, Southern California)
8 Kaci Demaria (OH, 6-4, 2007, San Pedro, Calif., Palos Verdes HS, Southern California)
9 Ava Falduto (L, 5-7, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., IC Catholic Prep, Great Lakes)
14 Calissa Minatee (MB, 6-0, 2005, Kansas City, Mo., University of Minnesota, Heart of America)
15 Logan Parks (OPP/S, 5-11, 2006, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley North HS, Heart of America)
17 Teraya Sigler (OH, 6-2, 2006, Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Ariz., Arizona)
18 Izzy Starck (S, 6-1, 2006, Colorado Springs, Colo., Rampart HS, Rocky Mountain)
19 Abby Vander Wal (OH, 6-3, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., Timothy Christian HS, Great Lakes)

Head Coach: Keegan Cook
Assistant Coach: Krista Hendrickson
Assistant Coach: Cursty Le Roux
Performance Analyst: Virginia Pham
Athletic Trainer: Cherryl Bueno
Team Lead: Courtney Smith

Alternates
Suli Davis (OH, 6-2, 2007, Euless, Texas, Colleyville Heritage HS, North Texas)
Brooklyn DeLeye (OH, 6-2, 2005, Auburn, Kan., Washburn Rural HS, Heart of America)
Taylor Harvey (MB, 6-3, 2006, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS, Intermountain)
Kelly Kinney (OH, 6-2, 2007, West Palm Beach, Fla., The King’s Academy, Florida)
Ryan McAleer (L, 5-5, 2005, Leawood, Kan., Blue Valley HS, Heart of America)
Reese Messer (S, 5-11, 2006, Olathe, Kan., Saint James Academy, Heart of America)
Alec Rothe (MB, 6-3, 2006, Dublin, Ohio, Dublin Scioto HS, Ohio Valley)
Taylor Yu (S, 6-0, 2006, Temple City, Calif., Temple City HS, Southern California)