December 3, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Woodbridge volleyball player helps under 19 USA team capture gold medal

Woodbridge junior Kellen Larson with the three medal awards he won. (Photo courtesy Larson family).

Woodbridge High School junior Kellen Larson helped the boys volleyball under 19 USA team win the championship at the Pan Am Cup in Guatemala in Colorado Springs, Colo. last month.

The USA squad won the final in three sets over Mexico 25-22, 25-18, 25-18. The team went 5-0 in the tournament and did not lose a set.

It’s the first time that It is the first time a U.S. team has won gold in the event, according to USA Volleyball officials.

Larson, a 5-10 libero, won awards for best libero, best digger and best receiver. Larson’s mother Stephanie said her son has his sights set on competing in the Olympic Games.

The U.S. team captain Sean Kelly was named tournament MVP.

With the victory, the USA qualified for the 2023 FIVB World Championships, officials added.