MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 5, 2026.- Canada defeated Costa Rica in straight sets 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-10), closing the preliminary round with a 3-2 record at the NORCECA U23 Women’s Pan American Cup.
Canada must now await the result of the match between the United States and Mexico, which will determine the final preliminary round standings and the teams that will play for the title and the bronze medal.
Once again, Canada made serving one of its main weapons, holding a commanding 16-3 advantage in aces. The Canadians also led in blocks 7-4 and attacks 38-22, while committing 18 errors compared to Costa Rica’s 14.
Maryn Boldon led Canada offensively in the first set with eight points. After an even start, her turn from the service line helped the Canadians open a 13-6 advantage and take control on the way to a 25-18 win.
Costa Rica responded in the second set and built a lead of as many as four points. Canada gradually closed the gap and tied the score at 15-15. Costa Rica regained the lead at 17-16, but the Canadians responded to move ahead 18-17 and never surrendered the lead again. London Krahn and Claire Carter led Canada’s offense in the set with seven and six points, respectively, in the 25-19 win.
Canada took complete control of the third set from the start, jumping out to a 6-0 lead. Costa Rica was unable to recover, and the Canadians continued to extend their advantage to 15-6 before closing out the match 25-10.
Claire Carter led Canada with 15 points, while Krahn and Boldon contributed 10 points each. Melina Abarca was Costa Rica’s leading scorer with 12 points.
Claire Carter, Canada’s top scorer: “I think it was a learning match for us. Obviously, last night we played a really tough five-set match, so coming back today and maintaining that same sense of urgency and mindset was a little difficult for us, but I think we fought well in the end, so it’s great to come away with a win. It’s also great to connect with the Nicaraguans here, and when else will I have the opportunity to take pictures and meet young volleyball players? So it’s really great to be at this tournament.”
Melina Abarca, Costa Rica’s top scorer: “Personally, I feel we could have done much better; however, Canada is one of the top-level teams, and, despite that, I don’t think we played badly. I think mentally we dropped off a little in the last set. Things weren’t going our way, but I don’t feel we played a bad match. Sometimes I feel that our expectations about how we will do against teams like the United States or Canada play a lot with our minds and affect us. I think we could do better, but we have to believe in ourselves.”
“The level of the tournament and the competition format, with so many matches in a row, are actually preparing us both physically and mentally because it is very demanding to train and play on the same day and have very little time to rest. There are better tournaments ahead for Costa Rica, including the Final Four, and everything is part of a process that we have to prepare for.”
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