Sally Perez and Avery Jackson emerged victorious at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championship, capturing gold after an intense all-American final in Puebla, Mexico. Rising through the qualification rounds, the pair showcased consistency and skill, dropping only two sets throughout the tournament.

In the championship match, Perez and Jackson defeated fellow Americans Zoey Henson and Sarah Wood with a 2-0 victory (25-23, 21-15). While the first set was hard-fought, it was a critical block by Perez during overtime that marked a turning point. The duo carried that momentum into the second set, quickly establishing a lead they would not relinquish.

This triumph represents only the second gold medal for the U.S. in the women’s division of the U21 championship. The first came in 2010, when Tara Roenicke and Summer Ross earned the top spot on the podium.

The bronze medal was claimed by Brazil’s Marcela Barbosa and Maria Clara, who triumphed in a demanding three-set match (25-23, 14-21, 15-13) against Hungary’s duo, Chiara Honti-Majoros and Stefania Kun. Starting in the qualifiers, Barbosa and Clara's journey to the podium was hard-fought and well-earned.

Notably, this year’s final featured two U.S. teams, reflecting the nation’s growing strength in junior beach volleyball. Last year, Perez and Wood were teammates, taking bronze at the U19 World Championship. This year’s face-off in the final highlights the depth and competitiveness within the American junior ranks.

The 2025 championship in Puebla also showcased promising talent from around the globe, reinforcing the significance of junior-level tournaments in developing future international stars.

For complete results and details, visit the official FIVB Beach Volleyball website.