Mexico earn U23 Men’s Pan American Cup bronze with Empowerment

USA and Costa Rica take gold and silver in San Salvador

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Sep 29, 2026
Mexico earn U23 Men’s Pan American Cup bronze with Empowerment

The national team of Mexico (pictured in the main photo; source: norceca.net), with support from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment, earned the bronze medals at last week’s U23 Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup in San Salvador. The United States triumphed as champions, while Costa Rica celebrated silver in the El Salvadorean capital.

Mexico’s national teams in volleyball and beach volleyball have been the beneficiaries of a total of USD 1,648,000 combined in coach support from FIVB Volleyball Empowerment so far. In addition, USD 115,000 in volleyball equipment has been granted to the Mexican federation. Mexico’s men’s selections take advantage of Brazilian coach Carlos Schwanke’s expertise.

At the U23 Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup in San Salvador, Mexico finished runners-up to undefeated Pool A winners Costa Rica and moved on to the quarterfinals, where they shut out hosts San Salvador. They bounced back from their 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) semifinal loss to USA with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 28-26) victory over Guatemala in the third-place playoff to make the podium with bronze. It was Mexico’s third U23 Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup bronze. They also have two titles on their competition record.

In the other semifinal, Costa Rica put together a 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-12) win over Guatemala.

Both Costa Rica and USA reached the final without dropping a single set along the way. In the gold medal showdown, the Americans outlasted their opponents to celebrate a 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-13, 25-17) victory and their first crown in the history of the competition. The Costa Ricans settled for a historic silver.

Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, in that order, lined up in the places from fourth to ninth in the final standings.

USA’s 22-year-old opposite David Decker collected the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, the Best Server award and a spot on the Dream Team, which also included setter Cameron Hoying (USA), outside hitters Malik Britton (Dominican Republic) and Trevor Herget (USA), middle blockers Christian Alvarez (Guatemala) and Diego Ruiz (Mexico), and libero Osmar Peralta (Nicaragua). The latter also claimed the Best Digger award. The Best Receiver honors went to Trevor Herget, while Cost Rica’s Stanley Grant emerged as the Best Scorer of the tournament.

All results, standings and statistics

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