COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 11, 2022) – The U.S. Men’s Team competing at the NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six got off to a slow start and lost its first match to Canada, 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-21) on Monday in Tepic, Nayaret, Mexico.
The U.S. will play Cuba (1-0) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT. Matches are being livestreamed at facebook.com/Incufid/videos.
Canada led the U.S. in kills (35-33), blocks (6-4) and aces (5-1). It also benefitted from 29 U.S. scoring errors while committing 21.
“We have to get better at what we do,” U.S. Head Coach Andy Read said. “We did not give ourselves enough opportunities for our block defense to score points.”
Outside hitter Brett Wildman led all scorers with 10 points on a match-high nine kills and one ace.
“Obviously our goal was to win, but also coming into the tournament our goal is to get better over time,” Wildman said. “We have a bright future in this tournament, but we must cut down the errors on serves.”
Opposite Francesco Sani added eight points on eight kills. Middle blocker Austin Wilmot scored seven points on four kills and a match-high three blocks.
Outside hitter Kyle McCauley, who started the third set, scored four points on four kills. Starting outside hitter Ethan Champlin scored three points on three kills. Middle blocker Merrick McHenry scored three points on two kills and one block.
Libero Mason Briggs was credited with 16 excellent receptions and eight digs to lead the team.
Substitute setter Quinn Isaacson scored three points on three kills and combined with starting setter Matt West to set the team to a .230 hitting efficiency.
“Quinn Isaacson came in after the first set and got us in some good offensive rhythm in sets 2 and 3,” Read said. “Tomorrow is Cuba, who has many of its top players here as they are using this tournament in preparation for World Championships later in August. Regardless of our opponent, we have to and will be better at what we do playing USA Volleyball.”
U.S. Men’s Roster for the Pan American Cup Final Six
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, Region)
5C Matt West (S, 6-6, Seattle, Wash., Pepperdine, Puget Sound)
9 J.R. Norris IV (MB, 6-6, Lancaster, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
11 Francesco Sani (Opp, 6-8, Bethesda, Md., UC Irvine, Chesapeake)
14 Quinn Isaacson (S, 6-2, Plainfield, Ill., Ball State, Great Lakes)
15 Parker Van Buren (Opp, 6-9, Cross Plains, Wis., Loyola Chicago, Badger)
16 Nyherowo Omene (MB, 6-7, South Holland, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Austin Wilmot (MB, 6-10, Valley Village, Calif., Pepperdine, Southern California)
20 Ethan Champlin (OH, 6-3, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
21 Mason Briggs (L, 6-0, Valencia, Calif., Long Beach State, Southern California)
22 Kyle McCauley (OH, 6-4, Huntington Beach, Calif., UC San Diego, Southern California)
24 Brett Wildman (OH, 6-5, Virginia Beach, Va., Penn State, Old Dominion)
26 Merrick McHenry (MB, 6-7, Bedford, Texas, UCLA, North Texas)
29 Cole Power (L, 5-11, Huntington Beach, Calif., UC Irvine, Southern California)
31 Spencer Olivier (OH, 6-6, Tustin, Calif., Long Beach State Univ., Southern California)
Head Coach: Andy Read
Assistant Coach: Ron Larsen
Assistant Coach: Rory Prager
Team Leader/Performance Analyst: AJ Ruttenberg
Athletic Trainer: Jackie Chan
Schedule for the NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six
(All Times PDT)
Monday July 11
Cuba def Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-22)
Canada def United States, 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-21)
7 p.m. Mexico v Puerto Rico
Tuesday July 12
3 p.m. Puerto Rico v Dominican Republic
5 p.m. United States v Cuba
7 p.m. Mexico v Canada
Wednesday July 13
3 p.m. United States v Puerto Rico
5 p.m. Canada v Cuba
7 p.m. Mexico v Dominican Republic
Thursday July 14
3 p.m. Canada v Dominican Republic
5 p.m. Cuba v Puerto Rico
7 p.m. Mexico v United States
Friday July 15
3 p.m. Puerto Rico v Canada
5 p.m. United States v Dominican Republic
7 p.m. Mexico v Cuba
Saturday July 16
3 p.m. Fifth v Sixth
5 p.m. Second v Third
7 p.m. First v Fourth
Sunday July 17
4 p.m. Bronze Medal
6 p.m. Gold Medal