United States continues strong start at 2026

NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship

MONCTON, Canada, September 12, 2026 - The United States won in straight sets again as NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship action continued Saturday.

Team USA beat Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) for their second Group B win in as many days at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, Canada.

Day 2 was a bit tougher for the United States, as the Dominicans managed 14 more points than Guatemala had in Friday’s straight-sets victory, but ultimately the result was the same. Team USA dominated in attacks (44-25), blocks (14-3) and aces (7-1). USA did lose 22 points to errors compared with Dominican Republic’s 10.

Jake Hanes led the way with 11 points, followed by Jordan Ewert with 10 and Merrick McHenry with nine, including a game-high five blocks. Edward Domingo Rojas De Jesús and Hector Alexis Cruz Cepin were the top Dominican scorers with seven points each.

The nine-day tournament runs through Sept. 19, with eight teams competing for three berths to the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland. The tournament will also determine the teams that advance to NORCECA’s final qualification stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Dominican Republic will look for its first win Sunday as they go up against Guatemala, also winless, in their final Group B game at 11 a.m. Atlantic Time. The United States will wrap up its round-robin schedule against fellow 2-0 team, Cuba, on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Karch Kiraly, USA coach: “I’m happy everybody was able to make a contribution. The guys who came in in the third set did a really nice job and it’s very seamless, whoever’s on the court. It’s a group of 14 working very hard to be the best team they can be.”

Matthew Anderson, Team USA: “We’re getting some more competition before the summer ends, getting a little more rhythm. It’s a chance for some other guys to get on the court with us, see what they can do and how they play within our system and the way we want to play volleyball. Also, we’re going to have to play one of these teams in the Olympics, if not more, depending how everything works out. Any chance we can play against future opponents is good for us.”

On the tournament being hosted in Canada: “Canada always does a really good job of hosting, whether it’s in Ottawa for VNL or now here in Moncton for this Continental Championship. It’s been great.”