Supported by FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, Canada`s U19 boys` team secured a bronze medal at last week`s NORCECA Pan American Cup in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The United States claimed the championship title, overcoming host nation Mexico in the final match.
Volleyball Canada has received substantial assistance from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, including USD 1,391,000 for coaching national teams and an additional USD 75,000 for equipment. During the U19 Pan American Cup, the Canadian team finished third in Pool A with a 1-2 record, securing a victory against Puerto Rico but experiencing losses to both the USA and Venezuela.
Advancing to the quarterfinals, Canada earned a decisive 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 25-19) win against the second-placed team from Pool B. However, their path to the final was halted in the semifinals by the eventual champions, USA, who delivered a dominant 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-17) sweep. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Canada then defeated Venezuela 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-18) in the bronze medal match, triumphantly securing their spot on the podium.
The USA maintained an impeccable record throughout the entire tournament, remaining undefeated. In the gold medal showdown, they clinched the Pan American Cup title with a convincing 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) victory over Mexico. Earlier, in their semifinal match, Mexico, who had topped Pool B, battled Venezuela to a hard-fought 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 29-27) win, guaranteeing themselves at least a silver medal finish.
In the tournament`s final standings, Puerto Rico, Chile, Panama, and Suriname finished from fifth to seventh place, respectively.
Individual Accolades and Dream Team Selections
Seventeen-year-old American striker Blake Fahlbusch was honored as the tournament`s Most Valuable Player (MVP). The prestigious U19 Pan American Cup Dream Team featured a lineup of standout athletes:
- Setter: Juan Pablo Espinoza (Chile)
- Opposite: Joaquin Valjalo (Chile)
- Outside Hitters: Carlos Grajeda (Mexico) and Emi Diaz (Mexico)
- Middle Blockers: Isiah Powell (USA) and Fernando Castello (Puerto Rico)
- Libero: Rolando Bello (Venezuela)
Additional individual awards were distributed to recognize exceptional performances: Joaquin Valjalo received the award for Best Scorer, Dante Cayaban (USA) for Best Server, Benjamin Bayer (USA) for Best Receiver, and Esteban Castillo (Chile) for Best Digger.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood