IRVINE, Calif. – Concordia University Irvine sophomore Max McCullough is one of 12 select men's volleyball players representing the United States this week at the Men's U21 Pan American Cup in Havana, Cuba.

CUI assistant coach Chris Seiffert is also a part of this unique experience and is helping as a member of the U.S. staff led by head coach Andy Read.

McCullough and Seiffert helped the U.S. earn a 3-2 win over Mexico in the team's opening match on Tuesday. The U.S. emerged victorious by winning the fifth set by a score of 15-12.

The U.S. actually had its original match with Chile moved to Thursday, Oct. 6 due to Chile's travel delay caused by Hurricane Ian.
 
The U.S. Men are in pool A along with Chile, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Pool B includes Canada, Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua.
 
The Men's U21 Pan American Cup runs from Oct. 3-8 with the quarterfinals starting on Thursday, Oct. 6 and the finals ultimately scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8.
 
The top two countries from North America, Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) will qualify for the 2023 FIVB Men's U21 World Championship.
The full U.S. tournament roster includes setters Andrew Rowan, who is also the team captain, and Tyler Morgan, libero Chris Connelly and outside hitters Dane Hillis, Zach Rama, Noah Roberts and Kyle Teune. Joining McCullough at the net are fellow middle blockers Nyherowo Omene and Wesley Smith and opposites Trent Moser and Shane Wetzel.
 
U.S. Men's Schedule for the 2022 Men's U21 Pan American Cup
(All times PT)

Oct. 4 at 7:30 a.m. USA vs Mexico  (USA won 3-2)
Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. USA vs Dominican Republic (USA won 3-1)
Oct. 6 at 7 a.m. USA vs Chile (USA won 3-0)
 
Oct 6 – Quarterfinals at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Oct. 7 - Classification and semifinals
Oct. 8 - Classification and finals
 
U.S. Roster for the 2022 Men's U21 Pan American Cup
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, School, USAV Region)
2 Christopher Connelly (L, 5-10, Naples, Fla., Long Beach State, Florida Region)
4 Dane Hillis (OH, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., Long Beach State, Southern California Volleyball Association)
8 Kyle Teune (OH, 6-6, Downers Grove, Ill., Ohio State, Great Lakes Region)
10 Tyler Morgan (S, 6-7, Dike, Iowa, Lewis University, Iowa Region)
11 Noah Roberts (OH, 6-7, Seal Beach, Calif., University of Southern California, Southern California Volleyball Association)
12 Andrew Rowan (S, 6-7, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., UCLA, Southern California Volleyball Association)
13 Shane Wetzel (Opp, 6-7, Longwood, Fla., Ohio State, Florida Region)
14 Max McCullough (MB, 6-8, San Marcos, Calif., Concordia University Irvine, Southern California Volleyball Association)
16 Nyherowo Omene (MB, 6-8, South Holland, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes Region)
17 Trent Moser (Opp, 6-8, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona Region)
20 Zach Rama (OH, 6-9, Phoenix, Ariz., UCLA, Arizona Region)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-10, Encinitas, Calif., La Costa Canyon HS, Southern California Volleyball Association)
 
Head Coach: Andy Read
Assistant Coach: Hudson Bates
Second Assistant: Chris Seiffert
Performance Analyst: Alex Hurlburt
Athletic Trainer: Chris Cornell
Team Leader: Donovan Martinez