Middle/outside blocker Megan Hodges (6) leaps for a spike in the gold medal match against the Dominican Republic at the NORCECA U23 Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua. (Courtesy of NORCECA) 
The U.S. Women’s U23 Volleyball Team poses with their medals after wining gold at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup. (Courtesy of NORCECA) 
Middle/outside blocker Megan Hodges was named Second Best Blocker at the NORCECA U23 Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua. (Courtesy of NORCECA) 
Middle/outside blocker Megan Hodges (6) attempts a block in the gold medal match against the Dominican Republic at the NORCECA U23 Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua. (Courtesy of NORCECA) 
Middle/outside blocker Megan Hodges (6) contributed a team-second-best 12 points, along with four blocks in the gold medal match against the Dominican Republic at the NORCECA U23 Pan Am Cup in Managua, Nicaragua. (Courtesy of NORCECA) 
The U.S. Women’s U23 Volleyball Team celebrates with their medals after wining gold at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup. (Courtesy of NORCECA)
Quick look: San Juan Hills High School junior Megan Hodges helped lead the U.S. Women’s U23 Volleyball Team to a gold medal at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup in Managua, Nicaragua, while also earning Second Best Blocker of the tournament.
Whether it’s in Orange County, Canada or Nicaragua, San Juan Hills High School junior Megan Hodges knows how to win on the volleyball court.
On Sept. 6, Hodges helped lead the U.S. Women’s U23 Volleyball Team to a gold medal at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup in Managua, Nicaragua, defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1 in the championship match.
Hodges is no stranger to gold medals. As a member of USA Volleyball’s U19 team, she also won gold at last year’s tournament in Ontario, Canada. But this year, her performance on the U23 stage stood out.
The 6-foot-5 middle and opposite blocker posed a dual threat at the net throughout Team USA’s 6-0 run through the tournament. In the championship match, Hodges contributed a team-second-best 12 points, recording eight kills and four of the team’s 12 blocks.
Her performance throughout the tournament earned Hodges Second Best Blocker honors.
“Megan is a tremendously impressive volleyball player,” said San Juan Hills volleyball coach Cassie Strickland. “Yes, she is tall, she has a big presence at the net, she has great ball control in serve receive, and she imposes her will on the game when she is playing. But what impresses me the most about Megan is her drive for greatness. She does not cut corners, she is intentional in every touch on the ball, and she truly cares to improve every time she is in the gym.”
That mindset has helped Hodges emerge as one of the most highly touted recruits in the 2028 class. She is ranked No. 3 and No. 6 by two major volleyball media outlets and, in June, verbally committed to the University of Nebraska.
Hodges is coming off a sophomore season in which she was named a MaxPreps All-American and led San Juan Hills with 381 kills, while adding 73 blocks and 38 aces.
Her impact is difficult to replace — a challenge Strickland experienced firsthand while Hodges was competing with Team USA.
Hodges missed seven combined preseason and tournament games during the Pan American Cup, with San Juan Hills going 3-4 during that stretch. But Strickland said the team embraced a “next woman up” mentality in her absence.
“We have some phenomenal players on our roster and they work hard and do some great things,” Strickland said. “We competed hard and played at a very high level while Megan was out. I was proud of the girls who got more opportunities and how they stepped up.”
Now back in Orange County, Hodges will rejoin the team for league play beginning Sept. 15 as the Stallions pursue a Southern Section Division 1 championship. San Juan Hills fell just short in the semifinals last season.
Hodges was not the only Orange County athlete helping Team USA bring home gold. Ireland Real, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter from San Clemente who attends Santa Margarita Catholic High School, also made an impact throughout the tournament. Real recorded nine kills and three aces in the gold-medal match, while earlier in the tournament she posted a team-high 22 points against Nicaragua.