University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Abbey Emch Called Up to U21 National Team
6/12/2026 3:05:00 PM | Volleyball
PITTSBURGH – Rising sophomore middle blocker Abbey Emch has been named to the U.S. Women's U21 National Team, marking her second consecutive year earning a national team selection. Last summer, she helped the U19 National Team capture a silver medal at the FIVB U19 World Championship.
One of 28 selected athletes, Emch will join Ayanna Watson to train for a pair of major NORCECA age-group events this summer. Twenty of the 28 athletes will train for the 2026 NORCECA Women's U21 Pan American Cup, and 14 of those 20 will be selected to compete. Seven will train alongside select U19 National Team athletes for the opportunity to compete at the 2026 NORCECA Women's U23 Pan American Cup. Due to an overlap with the NCAA season, many U.S. women's athletes in the U21 and U23 age group are unable to attend the U23 Pan Am Cup.
Emch and Watson will train for the U21 Pan Am Cup June 26-July 5 in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of the competition set for July 7-12, also in Columbus. The athletes at the U21 Pan Am Cup will compete in front of a home crowd at the Covelli Center on the Ohio State University campus. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
Tama Miyashiro (LOVB) will serve as head coach for the U21 team competing at the U21 Pan Am Cup in Columbus, assisted by Alfee Reft (LOVB) and Alisha Childress (MLV).
