COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 21, 2026) – The U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Group opened play on the 2026 NORCECA Closing Six in Zinacantepec, Mexico, the way in which it left off ultimately week’s Pan Am Cup – with a win. Utilizing 13 factors from Eva Hudson, the American squad swept its Canadian counterpart, 25-21, 25-16, 25-16.

The U.S. led Canada in kills (48-28) and aces (4-2). Each groups had two blocks. Setters Ella Powell and Rachel Fairbanks led the staff to a .451 hitting effectivity.

Apart from Hudson’s 13 factors, Temi Thomas-Ailara had 11 kills, and Claire Hoffman had 10 factors on 9 kills and one block. Natalie Foster had six kills, one block and two aces, and Onye Onabanjo had six kills. Sami Francis had three kills, and Powell had two aces.

Thomas-Ailara notched seven kills within the first set because the U.S. broke open a 17-17 tie with three staight factors. The set had remained shut all through the primary half with 11 ties. However a kill from Foster, and a block and a kill from Hoffman gave the U.S. the sting it wanted, 20-17. Canada moved inside one at 21-20, however the U.S. closed it out with kills from Onabanjo, Hudson, Hoffman and Thomas-Ailara.

The U.S. led by means of nearly all of set two after leaping out to a 4-0 lead. Canada tied the match at 11, however 4 straight factors from the U.S., together with three Hoffman kills, gave the U.S. again its lead. Canada by no means received nearer than 4 factors, and the U.S. ended it with six straight, ending on a Powell ace. Hudson had 4 factors for the U.S.

Canada had a short-lived lead at 8-7 within the third set, however the U.S. scored eight of the subsequent 9 for a 15-9 lead. A Hoffman kill later elevated the result in eight, 20-12. The U.S. had a number of match factors at 24-13, however Canada saved one on a U.S. service error, after which served into the web to finish the match.

2026 USA Volleyball Ladies’s Closing Six Cup Roster

No., Title (Pos., Peak, Hometown, Faculty)
3 Toyosi Onabanjo (MB, 6-1, Houston, Texas, Kansas)
7 Ella Powell (S, 6-0, Fayetteville, Ark., Washington)
9 Jess Mruzik (OH, 6-1, Livonia, Mich., Michigan/Penn State)
11 Natalie Foster (MB, 6-4, Mattawan, Mich., Wichita State/SMU)
12 Temi Thomas-Ailara (OPP, 6-2, Glenwood, In poor health., Northwestern/Wisconsin)
13 Onye Ofoegbu (MB, 6-3, Cerritos, Calif., UC Irvine/Oregon)
19 Elena Oglivie (L, 5-10, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford)
20 Rachel Fairbanks (S, 6-0, Tustin, Calif., Pitt)
21 Claire Hoffman (OH, 6-2, Nice Hill, Oreg., Washington)
22 Elena Scott (L, 5-10, Louisville, Ky., Louisville, Pioneer)
25 Callie Scharzenbach (OH, 6-5, Kearney, Mo., Nebraska/Lengthy Seaside State)
30 Eva Hudson (OH, 6-1, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Purdue/Kentucky)
77 Sami Francis (OPP, 6-6, San Diego, Calif., Stanford)
99 Caitie Baird (OH, 6-3, Indianapolis, Ind., Stanford)

Schedule

All occasions PT

Sept. 21: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-16)
Sept. 22: USA vs. Cuba, 3 p.m.
Sept. 23: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 3 p.m.
Sept. 24: USA vs. Mexico, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 5 p.m.
Sept. 26 Semifinals
Sept. 27: Finals