Blackshear, Petersen Tabbed for USA Volleyball U21 National Team
April 13, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
The pair will train with the national team for the chance to represent the United States at the 2026 NORCECA U21 Pan American Cup in July.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Louisville opposite Kalyssa Blackshear and outside hitter Payton Petersen have been named to the 2026 U.S. Women's U21 National Team, as announced by USA Volleyball on Monday.
Blackshear and Petersen were selected as two of 27 athletes who will train with the U21 National Team from June 26-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio. Following the conclusion of the training block, 14 athletes will be selected to represent their country at the 2026 NORCECA U21 Pan American Cup, which will also take place in Columbus from July 7-12.
The full list of athletes and coaches for the 2026 U.S. Women's U21 National Team can be found below.
Blackshear previously competed for Team USA as an alternate on the 2025 Girls U19 National Team that took silver at the 2025 U19 World Championship in Osijek, Croatia.
During her freshman season with the Cardinals in 2025, the native of Lomita, Calif. started 32 matches, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors after a debut campaign that saw her record 336 kills and 179 blocks. In addition to being named the conference's Freshman of the Year, Blackshear was named to the All-ACC Second Team, the All-ACC Freshman Team, and the AVCA All-South Region First Team.
Petersen will be making the first national team appearance of her career with her selection to the U21 team.
The native of Dike, Iowa started all 33 matches of her breakout sophomore season for Louisville while finishing second on the team in both total points (436.5) and kills (393). At the conclusion of the year, Petersen was named to the All-ACC Second Team while also earning Honorable Mention distinction on the AVCA All-South Region Team.
USA Volleyball Women's U21 National Team Roster
Ayden Ames, Creighton
Henley Anderson, Texas
Favor Anyanwu, SMU
Kalyssa Blackshear, Louisville
Suli Davis, SMU
Spencer Etzler, Stanford
Campbell Flynn, Nebraska
Carly Gilk, Minnesota
Genevieve Harris, Texas
Taylor Harvey, Texas
Lily Hayes, Florida
Isabel Incinelli, Winter Park (FL) HS
Mallory Johnson, Byron Center (MI) HS
Peyton Kubik, Blue Valley West (KS) HS
Tessa Larkin, Xavier College Preparatory (AZ)
Nyla Livings, Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)
Reese Messer, USC
Manaia Ogbechie, Nebraska
Kendall Omoruyi, Sierra Canyon (CA) HS
Payton Petersen, Louisville
Sophee Peterson, Byron Nelson (TX) HS
Jordan Taylor, Minnesota
Rachel Van Gorp, Iowa State
Abby Vander Wal, Texas
Ayanna Watson, Pittsburgh
Devyn Wiest, Utah
Keoni Williams, Nebraska
Coaches
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)
Blackshear and Petersen were selected as two of 27 athletes who will train with the U21 National Team from June 26-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio. Following the conclusion of the training block, 14 athletes will be selected to represent their country at the 2026 NORCECA U21 Pan American Cup, which will also take place in Columbus from July 7-12.
The full list of athletes and coaches for the 2026 U.S. Women's U21 National Team can be found below.
Blackshear previously competed for Team USA as an alternate on the 2025 Girls U19 National Team that took silver at the 2025 U19 World Championship in Osijek, Croatia.
During her freshman season with the Cardinals in 2025, the native of Lomita, Calif. started 32 matches, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors after a debut campaign that saw her record 336 kills and 179 blocks. In addition to being named the conference's Freshman of the Year, Blackshear was named to the All-ACC Second Team, the All-ACC Freshman Team, and the AVCA All-South Region First Team.
Petersen will be making the first national team appearance of her career with her selection to the U21 team.
The native of Dike, Iowa started all 33 matches of her breakout sophomore season for Louisville while finishing second on the team in both total points (436.5) and kills (393). At the conclusion of the year, Petersen was named to the All-ACC Second Team while also earning Honorable Mention distinction on the AVCA All-South Region Team.
USA Volleyball Women's U21 National Team Roster
Ayden Ames, Creighton
Henley Anderson, Texas
Favor Anyanwu, SMU
Kalyssa Blackshear, Louisville
Suli Davis, SMU
Spencer Etzler, Stanford
Campbell Flynn, Nebraska
Carly Gilk, Minnesota
Genevieve Harris, Texas
Taylor Harvey, Texas
Lily Hayes, Florida
Isabel Incinelli, Winter Park (FL) HS
Mallory Johnson, Byron Center (MI) HS
Peyton Kubik, Blue Valley West (KS) HS
Tessa Larkin, Xavier College Preparatory (AZ)
Nyla Livings, Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)
Reese Messer, USC
Manaia Ogbechie, Nebraska
Kendall Omoruyi, Sierra Canyon (CA) HS
Payton Petersen, Louisville
Sophee Peterson, Byron Nelson (TX) HS
Jordan Taylor, Minnesota
Rachel Van Gorp, Iowa State
Abby Vander Wal, Texas
Ayanna Watson, Pittsburgh
Devyn Wiest, Utah
Keoni Williams, Nebraska
Coaches
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)
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballVB: Dan Meske, Chloe Chicoine, Payton Petersen Postgame vs. Marquette
Sunday, December 07
VB: Highlights vs Marquette
Sunday, December 07
VB: Highlights vs Loyola Chicago
Saturday, December 06
VB: Dan Meske, Cara Cresse, Payton Petersen Postgame Presser vs. Loyola Chicago
Saturday, December 06
