LEÓN, Guanajuato, July 27, 2025. – The United States opened the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup with a straight-set victory over the Dominican Republic 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-21) at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.
The first set was a tight back-and-forth battle with no clear dominant team. USA reached set point at 24-22, but a surprise set and a kill from Alondra Tapia tied the score at 24-24. After another tie at 25-25, the U.S. capitalized on two set points as opposite hitter Jurnee Robinson delivered back-to-back plays, first scoring on an attack and then sealing the set with a block.
The United States adjusted their blocking in the second set, pulling ahead 14-8 and maintaining control to take the frame comfortably. The third set mirrored the first with both teams trading points, but the U.S. closed strong to secure the sweep.
USA held the advantage in kills (43-35) and blocks (9-5), while the Dominican Republic edged slightly in aces (3-2). Both sides committed a similar number of errors, with the U.S. at 22 and the Dominican Republic at 23.
Jurnee Robinson led the Americans with 13 points, including a match-high five blocks and eight kills. Outside hitter Eva Hudson and middle blocker Ifennamaka Cos-Okpalla contributed 10 points each.
For the Dominican Republic, opposite hitter Katielle Alonzo scored a match-high of 15 points, supported by outside hitter Alondra Tapia with 10.
Pool A next match USA faces Suriname, Dominican Republic against Costa Rica.
The U.S. Head Coach, Marie Zidek commented after the win “It was a tough opponent. Dominican Republic plays a very intelligent game and early on they were exposing our block and getting a lot of kills. We made an adjustment in the second set to position a little bit different on defense, which helped us and then our arms found the ball a little bit better”.
Wagner Pacheco, Head Coach of the Dominican Republic, expressed his satisfaction, “The girls played well. This is our first match of the year, just imagine what we can achieve. It was a good game, I’m really happy.”
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