USA Defeats Dominican Republic to Reclaim Pan American Cup Gold

LEÓN, Mexico, September 18, 2026.- The United States returned to the top of the Women’s Pan American Cup podium for the first time since 2019, defeating defending champion Dominican Republic 3-0 (28-26, 25-19, 25-18) on Friday to claim the 2026 title in León, Guanajuato.

The victory gave USA its eighth gold medal in tournament history, adding to three silvers and five bronzes. Dominican Republic finished with its 11th silver medal and now holds six golds, 11 silvers and three bronzes.

The opening set provided the final’s most dramatic moments. USA reached set point at 24-21 after an attack by Caitlin Baird, but Dominican Republic fought back, with a block by Florangel Terrero helping level the score at 24-24. Temitayo Thomas-Ailara restored the American lead, and Flormarie Heredia answered for the Dominicans. Callie Schwarzenbach then put USA ahead 26-25 with a kill, before Heredia tied it again. Two Dominican errors finally gave USA the set, 28-26.

USA carried that momentum into the second set, building a lead that Dominican Republic could not erase. Thomas-Ailara delivered a kill for a 24-19 advantage, and a Dominican attacking error ended the set 25-19.

The third set was close early, but USA pulled away behind its offense. Jessica Mruzik and Claire Hoffman contributed key attacks as the Americans extended their lead. Schwarzenbach delivered the final point with a kill to seal the championship, 25-18.

USA held a 56-35 advantage in attack points and led 3-1 in aces. Dominican Republic had the edge in blocks, 8-5, and committed fewer errors, giving away 14 points compared with USA’s 20.

Four American players scored in double figures. Schwarzenbach led the team with 15 points, followed by Mruzik and Thomas-Ailara with 12 each, and Baird with 10. Heredia led all scorers with 16 points for Dominican Republic.

Erik Sullivan, USA head coach: “Very happy with how we played. Dominican Republic is a very formidable opponent. They do a lot of things to put pressure on you, and, at times, they pushed us very hard. So, I’m glad we responded in a good way, and very happy to win the medal.”

Rachel Fairbanks, USA team captain: “Happy. We did it. It seems like a year ago that we started the tournament. But what a difference from that match to this one. I still think we have some room for improvement, but we’ve definitely found our group more.”