COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Women’s U23 National Volleyball Team is set to compete at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U23 Pan American Cup in León, Mexico, from July 27 to August 1. Among the selected athletes are rising senior Ava Martin from Creighton and 2024 graduate Norah Sis, both of whom have notable track records in collegiate and international volleyball.
Training sessions leading up to the tournament were held at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, California, where a total of 12 players were chosen from a pool of 17. The U.S. will kick off the tournament on July 27 against the Dominican Republic at 3 p.m. CT, with subsequent matches against Suriname and Costa Rica. The other pool includes teams from Cuba, Mexico, Canada, and Nicaragua.
Leading the U.S. team is head coach Marie Zidek from DePaul University, who will be joined by esteemed Olympians Kayla Banwarth and Danielle Scott as assistant coaches. Zidek emphasized the importance of adaptability and depth in the roster, stating, “This roster reflects a clear vision for how we aim to compete on the international stage — with adaptability, depth and a commitment to playing a connected, intelligent game.”
Among the athletes traveling to Mexico, seven have previous international experience, showcasing a wealth of talent and skill:
- Averi Carlson: Member of the 2021 Women’s U21 National Team and U20 World Championship participant.
- Chloe Chicoine: Achieved gold and MVP honors in 2023 and 2022 Pan Am Cups, among other accolades.
- Raven Colvin: Competed with the 2022 and 2023 Women’s U21 National Teams, medals included.
- Cara Cresse: Represented the 2024 Women’s National Team at the Pan Am Cup Final Six.
- Eva Hudson: Also part of the 2024 Women’s National Team and a gold medalist in 2023.
- Emmy Klika: Competitor in the 2023 Women’s U21 National Team.
- Norah Sis: Gold medalist in both 2022 and 2023 Pan Am Cups, earning “Second Best Spiker” honors.
New entrants to the team include Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Caroline Kerr, Ava Martin, Jurnee Robinson, and Lauren Rumel.
In 2023, Ava Martin was among 19 female collegiate athletes selected for the 2024 Women’s Collegiate National Team, training alongside the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team. Norah Sis, who secured gold medals with the Women’s U21 National Team in both years, is coming off a victory in the Pro Volleyball Federation title with the Orlando Valkyries this spring.
At Creighton University, Martin and Sis formed one of the nation’s most formidable outside hitting duos, contributing to the Bluejays’ impressive 32-3 record and their ascent to the Elite Eight. Both were named unanimous All-BIG EAST selections and honored as AVCA All-Americans in 2024. While Martin is poised to enter her senior year with aspirations of clinching a 12th consecutive BIG EAST Conference title, Sis gears up for her second professional season after winning the Pro Volleyball Federation title.
The rich history of Creighton’s involvement in international volleyball continues, with recent alumni, including Brittany Witt, Jaali Winters, Taryn Kloth, and Sis, all having represented Team USA globally. Kloth notably became Creighton’s first female Olympian, competing last summer in beach volleyball.
USA Volleyball Women’s U23 Roster
Name, (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)
- Emmy Klika (L, 5-7, Novelty, Ohio, Pro Volleyball Federation, Ohio Valley)
- Chloe Chicoine (OH, 5-10, Lafayette, Ind., Univ. of Louisville, Hoosier)
- Cara Cresse (MB, 6-6, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Univ. of Louisville, Hoosier)
- Raven Colvin (MB, 6-1, Indianapolis, Ind., Pro Volleyball Federation, Hoosier)
- Eva Hudson (OH, 6-1, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Univ. of Kentucky, Hoosier)
- Norah Sis (OH, 6-2, Papillion, Neb., Pro Volleyball Federation, Great Plains)
- Averi Carlson (S, 5-11, Lucas, Texas, SMU, North Texas)
- Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (MB, 6-2, Flower Mound, Texas, Texas A&M, North Texas)
- Caroline Kerr (S, 5-11, Champaign, Ill., Univ. of Tennessee, Great Lakes)
- Ava Martin (OH, 6-1, Overland Park, Kan., Creighton Univ., Heart of America)
- Jurnee Robinson (OPP/OH, 6-1, Simpsonville, S.C., LSU, Palmetto)
- Lauren Rumel (OPP, 6-2, Tucson, Ariz., Oregon State Univ., Arizona)
Alternates
- Brooke Bultema (MB, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio, Univ. of Kentucky, Ohio Valley)
- Ella Swindle (S, 6-2, Columbia, Mo., Univ. of Texas, Heart of America)
- Devin Kahahawai (OPP, 6-4, Kailua, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)
- Marianna Singletary (MB, 6-4, Charleston, S.C., UCLA, Southern)
- Maya Sands (L, 5-7, Rock Falls, Ill., Univ. of Missouri, Great Lakes)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Marie Zidek (DePaul)
Assistant Coach: Kayla Banwarth (PVF, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Danielle Scott (LOVB, Olympian)
Performance Analyst: Matthew Adams (Michigan)
ATC: Cherryl Bueno (Coast to Coast AthletiCare)
Team Lead: Taylor Marten (Ozark Juniors)
Schedule
All times in Central Time
- July 27: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 3 p.m.
- July 28: USA vs. Suriname, 3 p.m.
- July 29: USA vs. Costa Rica, 5 p.m.
- July 30: Quarterfinals
- July 31: Semifinals and Classification Matches
- Aug. 1: Medal Matches and Classification Matches
