USA Wins Girls’ U17 NORCECA Opener

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 4, 2025. – The United States opened the 2025 NORCECA Girls’ U17 Continental Championship with a solid 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-15) victory over Puerto Rico in Pool B action at the Gimnasio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica.

The tournament serves as a qualifier event for the 2026 FIVB Under-17 World Championship.

On day two of the competition, the United States will face Mexico, while Puerto Rico meets Cuba in the continuation of Pool B play.

The Americans started strong with a 4-1 run and capitalized on opponent errors to extend the lead to 11-5. Puerto Rico narrowed the gap to three points (11-14) with a big block from Anna Aquino and key kills, but the U.S. regained control thanks to the powerful attacks of Maya Ogbogu, maintaining their lead through the end of the first set.

In the second set, Puerto Rico opened with a 3-0 run before the United States responded with a quick recovery behind McKenzie Andrews’ strong offense and solid blocking.

Puerto Rico’s Arianna Pantojas and Viveca García kept the score close until midway through the set, when Madlen Gloessner and Ogbogu led the U.S. to pull ahead by four points, eventually sealing the frame 25-17.

The United States stormed through the third set, leading 16-10 behind the serving and attacking power of team captain Lexi Coleman. Maintaining control, the Americans finished the match in straight sets for a convincing debut victory.

Team USA outperformed Puerto Rico in all key skills, leading in kills (28-24), blocks (7-2), and aces (8-0). The U.S. also benefited from 32 opponent errors, while committing only 15 of their own.

Outside hitter Maya Ogbogu led all scorers with 14 points (9 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces), followed by team captain Lexi Coleman with 10 points (7 kills, 3 aces). Puerto Rico’s Anna Aquino topped her team with 9 points (8 kills, 1 block).

Lexi Coleman, team captain of the United States, said: “This was a team effort. We trained for this, we’ve been competitive in practice, and everyone came together today looking for the win. This is the first-ever U17 team for the U.S., and we just won our first game. I believe our passing was our best skill today; we are a very offensive team, and we can’t do it without passing.”

Anabella Valentín, captain of Puerto Rico, said: “It was a very tough match. The United States is definitely a very talented team; their players will go far if they continue playing volleyball. I’m proud of my team — we always fight and try to do our best, and in the next match, we’re going to play even harder.”