GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, June 28, 2026. – The United States captured its second consecutive Men’s U21 Pan American Cup title after defeating Canada in straight sets 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-14) in the gold medal match played at Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium in Guatemala City.
The Americans completed a perfect 5-0 tournament to win their second straight gold medal following last year’s title and claimed their third championship in tournament history, having also won the 2022 edition.
Canada finished with a 4-1 record and earned its second consecutive silver medal and the fourth silver medal in its history.
The United States dominated every scoring skill, holding advantages of 36-21 in attacks, 8-1 in blocks and 4-0 in aces, while also committing slightly fewer unforced errors (26-27).
Only two players reached double figures in scoring, Blake Fahlbusch with 14 points, followed by Jackson Cryst with 11, both from team USA.
The United States established control early in the opening set, taking a 4-1 lead behind the playmaking of Cameron Kosty and the offensive production of Blake Fahlbusch, Trevell Jordan, and Jackson Cryst. Canada rallied to tie the score at 8-8, but the Americans answered with a decisive run to move ahead 14-8. Strong serving pressure, solid defense and key blocks from Jordan and Cryst extended the advantage to 23-12 before Jordan’s attack sealed the set 25-15.
Canada responded with greater intensity in the second set, jumping to an early 6-4 lead behind Ethan Baraniuk and Tyson Dezutter. The United States quickly regrouped, tying the score at 7-7 on a Jordan block before taking command through the attacks of Fahlbusch, Kyler Wade, and Charlie Fuerbringer to build a 14-9 advantage. Despite Canada’s efforts to stay within striking distance through Matthew Siebenga, Baraniuk, and Cole Czepuryk, Cryst’s dominance at the net with consecutive blocks and effective attacks helped the Americans extend their lead to 20-13. Canada narrowed the gap late in the set, but the United States comfortably closed it out 25-19 to move within one set of the championship.
The Americans remained in control from the start of the third set, taking a 6-3 lead behind the offense of Fahlbusch and Fuerbringer. Canada closed the gap to 8-7 thanks to Dezutter and Baraniuk, but the United States answered with another decisive run sparked by Jordan’s serving, Fahlbusch’s attacks, and blocks from Cryst and Wade to pull away 15-8. From there, the Americans managed the lead with consistent defense and efficient offense, while Canada looked for answers through Czepuryk, Dezutter, and Owen Harris. Fahlbusch added a key block late in the set, Fuerbringer earned championship point, and Jordan sealed the title with an ace for the final 25-14.
Donan Cruz, Head Coach of United States, said after the win: “We knew that in any gold medal match, we had to expect everyone’s best. Our guys were prepared, and we felt this was a team we were familiar with because of some of their returning players. Credit to Canada as well for reaching this level and earning a silver medal. For us, we knew we were capable of playing our best, and this was the moment to show it. It’s not so much that they didn’t have a good game; I think we put a lot of pressure on them to be good, and we came out on top”.
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