Portia Sherman and Emma Donley, representing the California beach volleyball team, secured gold at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. Competing for Team USA, the duo went undefeated throughout the week-long tournament.
In pool play, Sherman and Donley recorded victories over Argentina (2-1), Nicaragua (2-0), and host nation Paraguay (2-1). They advanced to the quarterfinals where they defeated Cuba (2-0) and then Canada (2-0) in the semifinals. In the championship match, they beat Venezuela in straight sets, 21-16 and 21-10.
Sherman and Donley have now reached the podium three times in international competition this year. Earlier in May, they earned gold at the U23 NORCECA Tour and followed with a bronze medal performance at the Senior NORCECA Continental Tour in June.
