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Gilk and Taylor Selected to USA U21 National Team
4/13/2026 1:00:00 PM | Volleyball
They'll train for the 2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Volleyball has selected 27 elite athletes for the 2026 U.S. Women's U21 National Team which will train for a pair of major NORCECA age-group events this summer.
Twenty of the 27 athletes will train for the 2026 NORCECA Women's U21 Pan American Cup, and 14 of those 20 will be selected to compete. Seven will train alongside select U19 National Team athletes for the opportunity to compete at the 2026 NORCECA Women's U23 Pan American Cup. Due to an overlap with the NCAA season, many U.S. women's athletes in the U21 and U23 age group are unable to attend the U23 Pan Am Cup.
Minnesota rising sophomores Carly Gilk (opposite) and Jordan Taylor (middle blocker) have been selected to train for the U.S. Women's U21 National Team. Gopher alum Tori Dixon will serve as an assistant coach for the U23 team.
Athletes training for the U21 Pan Am Cup will train June 26-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of the competition set for July 7-12, also in Columbus. Athletes training for the U23 Pan Am Cup will have two training blocks.
The first is July 9-16, and 14 athletes will be selected from that block to train again in Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 24-30, ahead of the competition, Sept.1-Sept. 6, in Managua, Nicaragua.
The athletes at the U21 Pan Am Cup will compete in front of a home crowd at the Covelli Center on the Ohio State University campus. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
The U.S. U21 National Team includes numerous athletes with previous success in USA Volleyball's age-group national teams, including 13 who have competed at either a U19 or U21 world championship: Ayden Ames, Henley Anderson, Favor Anyanwu, Suli Davis, Campbell Flynn, Genevieve Harris, Taylor Harvey, Lily Hayes, Jordan Taylor, Abby Vander Wal, Ayanna Watson, Devyn Wiest and Keoni Williams.
Kalyssa Blackshear, Carly Gilk, Isabel Incinelli, Tessa Larkin, Reese Messer, Manaia Ogbechie and Kendall Omoruyi have all previously been on the U19 National Team, with Ogbechie part of the gold-medal winning squad at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship.
Seven athletes have earned their first selection to a U.S. age-group national team: Spencer Etzler, Mallory Johnson, Peyton Kubik, Nyla Livings, Payton Petersen, Sophee Peterson and Rachel Van Gorp.
Larkin, Incinelli, Livings, Peterson, Kubik, Johnson and Omoruyi are the seven athletes who will train for the opportunity to compete at the U23 Pan Am Cup, while the rest of the athletes mentioned above will train for selection to the U21 Pan Am Cup.
Tama Miyashiro (LOVB) will serve as head coach for the U21 team competing at the U21 Pan Am Cup in Columbus, assisted by Alfee Reft (LOVB) and Alisha Childress (MLV).
"I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to work with some of the best young talented athletes in our country," Miyashiro said. "It's always an honor to represent the USA. I can't wait to see these ladies compete for a spot on this U21 Pan American Cup roster."
Alex Dunphy (LOVB) will lead the team at the U23 Pan Am Cup, with assistants Haley Brightwell (MLV) and Tori Dixon (LOVB).
"I am thrilled to work with select U21 National Team athletes at a competitive training block alongside the U19 National Team in July to prepare for the U23 Pan American Cup," Dunphy said. "The 14 athletes we take to competition from this training block will gain valuable international experience and will represent USA at the highest level."
2026 Women's U21 National Team
Name, Position, Height, Hometown, Current School, USAV Region
Ayden Ames, MB, 6-4, Prosper, Texas, Creighton University, North Texas
Henley Anderson, OPP/OH, 6-3, Dripping Springs, Texas, University of Texas, Lone Star
Favor Anyanwu, MB, 6-2, Rowlett, Texas, SMU, North Texas
Kalyssa Blackshear, OPP, 6-5, Lomita, Calif., University of Louisville, Southern California Southern Nevada
Suli Davis, OH, 6-2, Euless, Texas, SMU, North Texas
Spencer Etzler, L, 5-7, Coldwater, Ohio, Stanford University, Ohio Valley
Campbell Flynn, S, 6-3, Rochester Hills, Mich., University of Nebraska, Lakeshore
Carly Gilk, OPP, 6-2, Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, North Country
Genevieve Harris, S, 5-11, Raleigh, N.C., University of Texas, Carolina
Taylor Harvey, MB, 6-3, Salt Lake City, Utah, University of Texas, Lone Star
Lily Hayes, L, 5-9, Tampa, Fla., University of Florida, Florida
Isabel Incinelli, OPP/OH, 6-5, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida
Mallory Johnson, L, 5-9, Byron Center, Mich., Byron Center HS, Lakeshore
Peyton Kubik, OH, 6-2, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley West HS, Heart of America
Tessa Larkin, OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory, Arizona
Nyla Livings, MB, 6-2, The Colony, Texas, Prestonwood Christian Academy, North Texas
Reese Messer, S, 5-11, Olathe, Kan., USC, Gateway
Manaia Ogbechie, MB, 6-3, Santa Rosa Valley, Calif., University of Nebraska, Southern California Southern Nevada
Kendall Omoruyi, MB, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Sierra Canyon HS, Southern California Southern Nevada
Payton Petersen, OH, 6-0, Dike, Iowa, University of Louisville, Iowa
Sophee Peterson, S, 5-11, Fort Worth, Texas, Byron Nelson HS, North Texas
Jordan Taylor, MB, 6-5, Houston, Texas, University of Minnesota, Lone Star
Rachel Van Gorp, L, 5-9, Olathe, Kan., Iowa State University, Heart of America
Abby Vander Wal, OH, 6-3, Elmhurst, Ill., University of Texas, Great Lakes
Ayanna Watson, OH, 6-2, Las Vegas, Nev., University of Pittsburgh, Southern California Southern Nevada
Devyn Wiest, OH, 6-3, Peoria, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona
Keoni Williams, MB, 6-4, Fort Worth, Texas, University of Nebraska, Lone Star
Coaches
U21 Pan American Cup
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)
U23 Pan American Cup
Head Coach: Alex Dunphy (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Haley Brightwell (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Tori Dixon (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Thomas Shaffer (Loyola Chicago)
ATC: Anthony Tam, MD, CAQSM (Henry Ford Health)
Team Lead (training block): Mallory Burbage (NTDP)
Team Lead (competition): Courtney Smith (NTDP)
National Team Experience
Carly Gilk
2023 U19 National Team
Jordan Taylor
2025 U19 National Team – FIVB U19 World Championship – 2nd
Twenty of the 27 athletes will train for the 2026 NORCECA Women's U21 Pan American Cup, and 14 of those 20 will be selected to compete. Seven will train alongside select U19 National Team athletes for the opportunity to compete at the 2026 NORCECA Women's U23 Pan American Cup. Due to an overlap with the NCAA season, many U.S. women's athletes in the U21 and U23 age group are unable to attend the U23 Pan Am Cup.
Minnesota rising sophomores Carly Gilk (opposite) and Jordan Taylor (middle blocker) have been selected to train for the U.S. Women's U21 National Team. Gopher alum Tori Dixon will serve as an assistant coach for the U23 team.
Athletes training for the U21 Pan Am Cup will train June 26-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of the competition set for July 7-12, also in Columbus. Athletes training for the U23 Pan Am Cup will have two training blocks.
The first is July 9-16, and 14 athletes will be selected from that block to train again in Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 24-30, ahead of the competition, Sept.1-Sept. 6, in Managua, Nicaragua.
The athletes at the U21 Pan Am Cup will compete in front of a home crowd at the Covelli Center on the Ohio State University campus. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
The U.S. U21 National Team includes numerous athletes with previous success in USA Volleyball's age-group national teams, including 13 who have competed at either a U19 or U21 world championship: Ayden Ames, Henley Anderson, Favor Anyanwu, Suli Davis, Campbell Flynn, Genevieve Harris, Taylor Harvey, Lily Hayes, Jordan Taylor, Abby Vander Wal, Ayanna Watson, Devyn Wiest and Keoni Williams.
Kalyssa Blackshear, Carly Gilk, Isabel Incinelli, Tessa Larkin, Reese Messer, Manaia Ogbechie and Kendall Omoruyi have all previously been on the U19 National Team, with Ogbechie part of the gold-medal winning squad at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship.
Seven athletes have earned their first selection to a U.S. age-group national team: Spencer Etzler, Mallory Johnson, Peyton Kubik, Nyla Livings, Payton Petersen, Sophee Peterson and Rachel Van Gorp.
Larkin, Incinelli, Livings, Peterson, Kubik, Johnson and Omoruyi are the seven athletes who will train for the opportunity to compete at the U23 Pan Am Cup, while the rest of the athletes mentioned above will train for selection to the U21 Pan Am Cup.
Tama Miyashiro (LOVB) will serve as head coach for the U21 team competing at the U21 Pan Am Cup in Columbus, assisted by Alfee Reft (LOVB) and Alisha Childress (MLV).
"I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to work with some of the best young talented athletes in our country," Miyashiro said. "It's always an honor to represent the USA. I can't wait to see these ladies compete for a spot on this U21 Pan American Cup roster."
Alex Dunphy (LOVB) will lead the team at the U23 Pan Am Cup, with assistants Haley Brightwell (MLV) and Tori Dixon (LOVB).
"I am thrilled to work with select U21 National Team athletes at a competitive training block alongside the U19 National Team in July to prepare for the U23 Pan American Cup," Dunphy said. "The 14 athletes we take to competition from this training block will gain valuable international experience and will represent USA at the highest level."
2026 Women's U21 National Team
Name, Position, Height, Hometown, Current School, USAV Region
Ayden Ames, MB, 6-4, Prosper, Texas, Creighton University, North Texas
Henley Anderson, OPP/OH, 6-3, Dripping Springs, Texas, University of Texas, Lone Star
Favor Anyanwu, MB, 6-2, Rowlett, Texas, SMU, North Texas
Kalyssa Blackshear, OPP, 6-5, Lomita, Calif., University of Louisville, Southern California Southern Nevada
Suli Davis, OH, 6-2, Euless, Texas, SMU, North Texas
Spencer Etzler, L, 5-7, Coldwater, Ohio, Stanford University, Ohio Valley
Campbell Flynn, S, 6-3, Rochester Hills, Mich., University of Nebraska, Lakeshore
Carly Gilk, OPP, 6-2, Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota, North Country
Genevieve Harris, S, 5-11, Raleigh, N.C., University of Texas, Carolina
Taylor Harvey, MB, 6-3, Salt Lake City, Utah, University of Texas, Lone Star
Lily Hayes, L, 5-9, Tampa, Fla., University of Florida, Florida
Isabel Incinelli, OPP/OH, 6-5, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida
Mallory Johnson, L, 5-9, Byron Center, Mich., Byron Center HS, Lakeshore
Peyton Kubik, OH, 6-2, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley West HS, Heart of America
Tessa Larkin, OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory, Arizona
Nyla Livings, MB, 6-2, The Colony, Texas, Prestonwood Christian Academy, North Texas
Reese Messer, S, 5-11, Olathe, Kan., USC, Gateway
Manaia Ogbechie, MB, 6-3, Santa Rosa Valley, Calif., University of Nebraska, Southern California Southern Nevada
Kendall Omoruyi, MB, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Sierra Canyon HS, Southern California Southern Nevada
Payton Petersen, OH, 6-0, Dike, Iowa, University of Louisville, Iowa
Sophee Peterson, S, 5-11, Fort Worth, Texas, Byron Nelson HS, North Texas
Jordan Taylor, MB, 6-5, Houston, Texas, University of Minnesota, Lone Star
Rachel Van Gorp, L, 5-9, Olathe, Kan., Iowa State University, Heart of America
Abby Vander Wal, OH, 6-3, Elmhurst, Ill., University of Texas, Great Lakes
Ayanna Watson, OH, 6-2, Las Vegas, Nev., University of Pittsburgh, Southern California Southern Nevada
Devyn Wiest, OH, 6-3, Peoria, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona
Keoni Williams, MB, 6-4, Fort Worth, Texas, University of Nebraska, Lone Star
Coaches
U21 Pan American Cup
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)
U23 Pan American Cup
Head Coach: Alex Dunphy (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Haley Brightwell (MLV)
Assistant Coach: Tori Dixon (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Thomas Shaffer (Loyola Chicago)
ATC: Anthony Tam, MD, CAQSM (Henry Ford Health)
Team Lead (training block): Mallory Burbage (NTDP)
Team Lead (competition): Courtney Smith (NTDP)
National Team Experience
Carly Gilk
2023 U19 National Team
Jordan Taylor
2025 U19 National Team – FIVB U19 World Championship – 2nd
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Tuesday, January 27
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