Wednesday, 16 Oct 2024

Men’s Junior Team Named for Pan Am Cup

USA Volleyball has announced its selection of 12 talented athletes who will represent the Men’s Junior National Team at the U21 Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru, from May 5th to 10th, 2019.

Qualifying for the FIVB Men’s Under-21 World Championship

The primary objective for the team will be to secure a spot in the FIVB Men’s Under-21 World Championship, which will be held in Bahrein from July 18th to 27th. The team that finishes highest in the Pan American Cup and has not already qualified for the World Championship will secure a spot.

A Mix of Experience and Newcomers

Four players from the 2018 Men’s Junior National Team, who achieved an impressive fourth-place finish at the NORCECA Championship, will be returning to the roster. These players include middle blocker J.T. Martin, outside hitters Devin Joslyn and Kevin Lamp, and libero Garland Peed.

In addition to the returning players, there are also several newcomers who will be making their debut with the team. This includes setters Kevin Kauling and Taylor Ittner, outside hitters Ryan Wilcox and Brett Wildman, and middle blockers Canyon Tuman, Michael Sack, and Daniel Matheney. Luke Denton will join the team as an opposite.

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Stellar Coaching Staff

Leading the Men’s Junior National Team will be UCLA men’s Assistant Coach Spencer McLachlin. He will be supported by Michelle Chatman from USAV High Performance and Ben Duckworth from Lindenwood, who will serve as assistant coaches.

According to Coach McLachlin, “We have a great staff and athletes who are ready to work hard. This will be a challenging event, as there are a lot of really good teams. I’m excited to see what these young athletes are going to do with their opportunity to perform in the USA system.”

Pool Play Structure

The United States has been placed in a pool with Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. The other pool will consist of Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Cuba and Canada have already secured their spots in the World Championship.

Alternates and World Championship Spots

Six players have been named as alternates to the Pan Am Cup Team. These players include Garrett Bess, Nathan Chaparro, Cal Fisher, Trevor Kennan, Zig Licis, and Merrick McHenry. It’s important to note that players who compete in the Pan Am Cup are not guaranteed spots on the World Championship team, should the U.S. qualify.

Meet the Team

  • Kevin Kauling (Setter, Naperville, Ill., committed to Lewis)
  • Garland Peed (Libero, San Diego, Calif., UCLA)
  • Ryan Wilcox (Outside Hitter, Honolulu, Hawaii, UCSB)
  • Taylor Ittner (Setter, Meadow Vista, Calif., CSUN)
  • Kevin Lamp (Outside Hitter, Lake Forest, Ill., committed to Stanford)
  • Brett Wildman (Outside Hitter, Virginia Beach, Va., Penn State)
  • Luke Denton (Opposite, Mesa, Ariz., Loyola Chicago)
  • Devin Joslyn (Outside Hitter, Angola, N.Y., Loyola Chicago)
  • Canyon Tuman (Middle Blocker, Sewickley, Pa., Penn State)
  • Daniel Matheney (Middle Blocker, Hawthorne, Calif., UCLA)
  • J.T. Martin (Middle Blocker, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Pepperdine)
  • Michael Sack (Middle Blocker, Burbank, Ill., committed to Lewis)
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Coaching Staff

  • Head Coach: Spencer McLachlin (UCLA)
  • Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman (USAV HP)
  • Second Assistant: Benjamin Duckworth (Lindenwood)
  • Team Manager: Paula Schwan
  • Statistician: Alex Hurlburt (Northwestern)
  • Physiotherapist: Tiara Rolle

FAQs

Q: Will the players on the Pan Am Cup Team be guaranteed spots on the World Championship Team?
A: No, the players who compete in the Pan Am Cup are not guaranteed spots on the World Championship Team, should the U.S. qualify.

Conclusion

The Men’s Junior National Team is ready to showcase their skills at the U21 Pan American Cup. With a mix of experienced players and talented newcomers, they are determined to secure a spot in the FIVB Men’s Under-21 World Championship. Under the guidance of their stellar coaching staff, these young athletes are prepared to give their all and make their mark in the USA system. Good luck to the team!

To learn more about the Men’s Junior National Team and follow their journey, visit Alpinetgheep.