USA Crowned Undefeated Champion at
2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Six
GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, September 21, 2025. – The United States
captured the gold medal at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Six,
defeating Mexico 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-19) on Sunday at Unidad
Deportiva López Mateos to finish the tournament as the undefeated
champion.
The U.S. closed the event with a perfect 7-0 record, while Mexico
finished 5-2 – their only two losses coming against the Americans.
This marks the United States’ second gold medal in the history of
the event, having first won in 2023, to go along with two silver
medals (2022, 2024).
For Mexico, it was their second silver medal (the first in 2021)
after earning bronze last year. Mexico also made significant
progress in the world ranking, starting the event in 29th place and
finishing at 19th, gaining valuable points.
The opening set was tightly contested. Mexico came from behind to
tie the score at 9 and briefly led after a Jocelyn Urias block on
Kamerynn Miner. The teams were leveled again at 14, 16, and 18
before the United States pulled away. Skylar Fields delivered a key
kill against the block of Melanie Parra, followed by Samantha
Francis blocking Sofía Maldonado to make it 20-18. Kendall Kipp
reached set point with a block on Parra, and Norah Sis sealed it
with a serve that resulted in a reception error from Parra.
The U.S. came out firing in the second set, with Reagan Cooper and
Khori Louis leading the offense to a comfortable 20-12 lead. Despite
efforts from Maldonado’s kills and Urias’ blocks, Mexico could not
close the gap, and three late errors gave the Americans a 2-0
advantage.
Mexico kept the score close early in the third set, trailing 15-12
behind the offensive efforts of Maldonado and Parra. However, the
U.S. pulled away with strong swings from Louis, Fields, and Sis to
reach 20-14. Kendall Kipp’s block on Karina Flores brought up match
point (24-18). Parra briefly denied the win with a kill, but Louis
sealed the gold medal with a powerful cross-court spike.
The United States led in every statistical category: attacks
(40-30), blocks (7-6), and aces (6-3). The Americans committed 16
errors compared to Mexico’s 21.
Outside hitter Reagan Cooper led the U.S. with 16 points, followed
by Khori Louis with 11. Sofía Maldonado led Mexico with 12 points,
while Melanie Parra contributed 10 and Jocelyn Urias posted a
match-high five blocks.
Erik Sullivan, Head Coach of the United States said: “I’m very happy
with how we played. I thought today was one of our most consistent
and even matches. We put a lot of pressure on a very good Mexico
team. A lot of plays went our way; I really liked the way we
performed”.
Mexico’s Head Coach, Nicola Negro, said: “We faced a very strong
United States and my team struggled. We are happy with the silver
medal. Overall, it was a very good tournament for us – we only lost
to the United States. We reached 19th place in the world ranking
(two months ago we were 29th), and that is a huge result, the
outcome of the work our team has put in. The girls showed dedication
and performed well. We are growing technically and tactically, and
now we need to work on developing our mentality to reach a higher
level.” |