ALAJUELA, Costa Rica, July 27, 2025.- Playing with the support of their home crowd, Costa Rica achieved a historic 3-1 (11-25, 25-18, 25-23, 30-28) victory over Canada on Sunday to claim the Bronze Medal at the U21 Pan American Cup, held at the Profesor Jorge Luis Solera Gymnasium at the Monserrat Sports Complex in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Canada was dominant in the first set, but Costa Rica found their rhythm in the second to even the match. Backed by their fans, Costa Rica managed to turn things around in the third set to take the lead.
Canada’s lack of focus in the final sets allowed Costa Rica’s solid teamwork and audacity to shine, as they celebrated the bronze medal.
Canada led in attacks (53-42) and aces (13-7), while Costa Rica was more effective in blocks (7-6) and capitalized on Canada’s 35 unforced errors.
Costa Rica’s top scorer was Raldisha Barley with 13 points, including 8 kills, 3 blocks, and 2 aces. Angelica Rodríguez also reached double digits with 11 points, followed by Ester Abarca with 10.
Canada’s Sophia Hansen was the match’s top scorer with 15 points (13 kills, 2 blocks). Mary Healy added 14 (11 kills, 3 aces), and Logan King contributed 13 points.
Costa Rica’s head coach Braulio Godínez said, “This is an indescribable emotion, one I had only felt when we won Bronze at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2011.”
“Winning at home feels even more special because it motivates the kids who came to support the national team. I believe this generation is just as talented as the one that represented us at the World Championship. We hope they continue and achieve even greater success,” he concluded.
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