USA Advances to Women’s Pan American Cup Final

LEÓN, Mexico, September 17, 2026.- The United States advanced to the final of the 2026 Women’s Pan American Cup after defeating Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 28-26, 26-24) on Thursday at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

The U.S. will seek its eighth gold medal in tournament history. Puerto Rico will play for bronze for the second consecutive edition, aiming to earn its fifth bronze medal.

Puerto Rico responded after losing the first set and took the second 25-23. The third set proved decisive: Puerto Rico held a 25-24 lead, but the United States fought back and eventually secured the set 28-26.

In the fourth set, the U.S. led 16-12 before Puerto Rico closed the gap and tied the score at 23-23. Temitayo Thomas-Ailara put the Americans within one point of victory, but Ivania Ortiz leveled the score at 24-24. After a Puerto Rican error, Jessica Mruzik sealed the match with a kill for the 26-24 win.

The United States held a 65-49 advantage in attack points and an 11-7 edge in blocks. The Americans also recorded the match’s only ace. Puerto Rico committed fewer errors, 25 compared with 37.

Onyedikachi Ofoegbu led the United States with 19 points, including 13 kills and a match-high six blocks. Thomas-Ailara added 18 points, Callie Schwarzenbach contributed 15, including three blocks, and Mruzik finished with 10, all on kills.

For Puerto Rico, Valeria Vázquez led the scoring with 17 points, followed by Dariana Hollingsworth with 14 and Ivania Ortiz with 11.

U.S. head coach Erik Sullivan acknowledged the pressure Puerto Rico applied and praised his team’s response in the decisive moments.

“Our team’s performance was a little up and down. I would have liked us to be more consistent for longer. We had our moments, but kudos to Puerto Rico. I thought they played a very good match and put a lot of pressure on us. I’m very happy with our resolve because we stayed in the fight and found a way to win at the end.”