University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gilk Named to USA U21 Team, Taylor Named Alternate
7/6/2026 2:16:00 PM | Volleyball
The team will compete July 7-12 at the Pan American Cup
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Volleyball has selected the 14 elite athletes from the U.S. Women's U21 National Team who will compete at the 2026 NORCECA Women's U21 Pan American Cup, July 7-12, at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Gophers opposite Carly Gilk (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) was selected to the team while middle blocker Jordan Taylor (Houston, Texas) was named an alternate.
The 14 athletes were chosen from a group of 20 who just finished a training block in Columbus. The roster includes numerous athletes who have been part of previous USA Volleyball age-group national teams: Ayden Ames, Henley Anderson, Suli Davis, Campbell Flynn, Carly Gilk, Genevieve Harris, Taylor Harvey, Lily Hayes, Manaia Ogbechie, Abby Vander Wal, Devyn Wiest and Keoni Williams.
"The amazing talent in this group of athletes made roster decisions incredibly difficult," said head coach Tama Miyashiro. "Everyone brings unique strengths to the court, and seeing how they've worked hard together over the past week has been fun to watch. We're excited about this team and are ready to make the U.S. proud at the Pan American Cup."
The U.S. is in a pool with Canada, Mexico and Venezuela, and their first match is Tuesday, July 7, at 6 p.m. CST against Venezuela.
2026 USWNT for the Pan American Cup
Name, Position, Height, Hometown, Current School, USAV Region
2 Ayden Ames, MB, 6-4, Prosper, Texas, Creighton University, North Texas
5 Lily Hayes, L, 5-9, Tampa, Fla., University of Florida, Florida
6 Suli Davis, OH, 6-2, Euless, Texas, SMU, North Texas
7 Manaia Ogbechie, MB, 6-3, Santa Rosa Valley, Calif., University of Nebraska, Southern California Southern Nevada
9 Keoni Williams, MB, 6-4, Fort Worth, Texas, University of Nebraska, Lone Star
10 Taylor Harvey, MB, 6-3, Salt Lake City, Utah, University of Texas, Lone Star
11 Campbell Flynn, S, 6-3, Rochester Hills, Mich., University of Nebraska, Lakeshore
12 Genevieve Harris, S, 5-11, Raleigh, N.C., University of Texas, Carolina
13 Rachel Van Gorp, L, 5-9, Olathe, Kan., Iowa State University, Heart of America
15 Payton Petersen, OH, 6-0, Dike, Iowa, University of Louisville, Iowa
16C Abby Vander Wal, OH, 6-3, Elmhurst, Ill., University of Texas, Great Lakes
17 Carly Gilk, OPP, 6-2, Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, North Country
19 Henley Anderson, OPP/OH, 6-3, Dripping Springs, Texas, University of Texas, Lone Star
20 Devyn Wiest, OH, 6-3, Peoria, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona
Alternates
1 Reese Messer, S, 5-11, Olathe, Kan., University of Kansas, Gateway
3 Jordan Taylor, MB, 6-5, Houston, Texas, University of Minnesota, Lone Star
4 Kalyssa Blackshear, OPP, 6-5, Lomita, Calif., University of Louisville, Southern California Southern Nevada
8 Ayanna Watson, OH, 6-2, Las Vegas, Nev., University of Pittsburgh, Southern California Southern Nevada
14 Abbey Emch, MB, 6-4, New Waterford, Ohio, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio Valley
18 Spencer Etzler, L, 5-7, Coldwater, Ohio, Stanford University, Ohio Valley
Coaches
Head Coach: Tama Miyashiro (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Alfee Reft (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Alisha Childress (MLV)
Performance Analyst: Will McDonald (LOVB)
ATC: Misao Tanioka (LOVB)
Team Lead: Kyle Thompson (NTDP)
Schedule (All times CST) and streamed live on USA Volleyball YouTube
July 7: USA vs. Venezuela, 6 p.m.
July 8: USA vs. Mexico, 6 p.m.
July 9: USA vs. Canada, 6 p.m.
July 10: Quarterfinals
July 11: Semifinals and classification matches
July 12: Medal and classification matches