MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 6, 2026.- Canada won the bronze medal at the NORCECA U23 Women’s Pan American Cup after defeating Mexico in an exciting five-set battle 3-2 (24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 25-27, 15-11) on Sunday at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello.
Canada showed its ability to respond throughout the match and made the difference with an offense led by opposite Lauryn Hovey, who finished with 23 points. Claire Carter contributed 17 points, Veronica Dickson 14 and Maryn Boldon 12, while Canada’s solid blocking helped contain Mexico’s offense.
For Mexico, Michelle Lizárraga led the offense with 15 points, while Aime Topete and Arleth Márquez added 14 points each.
Canada held a commanding 64-48 advantage in attacks and also led Mexico in blocks 11-9, while committing fewer errors, 29 to Mexico’s 38. Mexico held the advantage in service points 13-10.
Mexico controlled much of the first set and built a commanding 20-12 lead, but Canada mounted a strong comeback and tied the score at 23, with Carter and Esther Wildeboer contributing in attack. Mexico managed to withstand the comeback and closed the set 26-24 on a Topete attack.
The second set remained even through a 16-16 tie before Canada began to pull away behind Hovey and Boldon, along with a contribution from substitute Sara Gray, to even the match with a 25-21 win.
Canada’s comeback ability was on display again in the third set. Mexico built a 20-14 advantage, but Canada cut into the deficit with Hovey taking a bigger role offensively and capitalizing on Mexican errors. The Canadians completed the comeback to win 25-23 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Mexico responded in a back-and-forth fourth set. The Mexicans moved ahead 24-21, but Canada saved three consecutive set points, tied the score at 24 and then went ahead 25-24. Mexico responded once again, tying the score before an attack by Lizárraga and a block by Márquez closed the set 27-25 and forced a fifth.
In the fifth set, Canada quickly broke away from a 3-3 tie. The Canadians capitalized on Mexican errors and a Hovey block to build a 7-3 advantage. The lead grew to six points at 12-6, a deficit Mexico was unable to overcome, and Canada closed the set 15-11 to secure the bronze medal.
Matthew Krueger, head coach of Canada: “I thought it was a great match. Mexico is a very talented and skilled team. They challenged us a lot, but I’m proud of how we responded. We made some tactical adjustments and responded to those adjustments. I’m very proud of our girls for how we continued to fight against a very strong and well-coached team.”
On the tournament, Krueger added: “I think, for Canada, we got better with every match, and that’s all we can ask for. We came here with a bit of a slow start, but to the girls’ credit, we kept trying to adapt and get better and better. That’s why we come to these competitions, to play against really good teams and see if we can grow. Nicaragua has been great. We’ve loved being here; the gym is beautiful, the hotel is great, so a big thank you to Nicaragua as well.”
Delaney Watson, captain of Canada: “Mexico is fantastic. They are very skilled and very tactical. I’m very proud of how our team stayed together. They did some really incredible things, but our team stayed together and maintained consistent focus and energy, which I’m very proud of.”
“For today’s success, I think we just executed our game plan a little better. We were more tactical with our offensive decision-making, and we already knew their servers, so I think we moved well in serve reception to keep ourselves in the game.”
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