San Juan Hills High School junior Megan Hodges played a crucial role in the U.S. Women’s U23 Volleyball Team’s victory at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, held in Managua, Nicaragua on September 6. Hodges earned the title of Second Best Blocker of the tournament while helping her team secure a gold medal by defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1 in the final match.
Performance Highlights at the Tournament
Hodges showcased her skill as a 6-foot-5 middle and opposite blocker throughout the event, contributing significantly to the team’s perfect 6-0 record. In the championship match, she scored 12 points, which included eight kills and four blocks out of a total of 12 by her team.
This is not Hodges’ first experience with gold medals; she previously won gold last year with USA Volleyball’s U19 team at a tournament in Ontario, Canada. Her strong performance in this tournament further solidified her rising status in the sport.
San Juan Hills volleyball coach Cassie Strickland praised Hodges, noting her impressive presence at the net, excellent ball control, and relentless drive for improvement. Strickland highlighted Hodges’ intentional approach to every play, emphasizing her commitment to growing her game.
Regarded as one of the top recruits in the 2028 class, Hodges is currently ranked among the best by two major volleyball media outlets and has committed to the University of Nebraska. Last season, she was recognized as a MaxPreps All-American, leading her high school team with 381 kills, along with 73 blocks and 38 aces.
During Hodges’ absence from San Juan Hills due to her participation in the Pan American Cup, the team faced challenges, finishing with a 3-4 record in the games she missed. Strickland noted that the team adopted a “next woman up” mentality to fill the void left by Hodges, and she commended the players who stepped up during this period.
Now back in Orange County, Hodges rejoined her high school team as they aim for a Southern Section Division 1 championship, having reached the semifinals last season.
Additionally, Ireland Real, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter from San Clemente who plays at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, also contributed to Team USA’s achievement. Real recorded nine kills and three aces in the gold-medal match and had a standout performance earlier in the tournament, scoring a team-high 22 points against Nicaragua.
Why It Matters: Hodges’ accomplishments highlight not only her personal achievements but also the growing presence of young talent in American volleyball. Her success at the international level fosters interest in the sport among the youth and showcases the potential for future Olympic and international competition success for Team USA.
