Jordan DuFault Named To Pan American Games Roster
October 10, 2011 | Men's Volleyball
Irvine, Calif. – USA Volleyball announced that former UC Irvine outside hitter Jordan DuFault has been named to the 11-man U.S. men's volleyball Pan American Games roster.
DuFault, a two-time All-American for the Anteaters and a member of UCI's 2009 national championship team, will be representing the U.S. for the first time in his career.
The U.S. team, which is coached by UCI head coach John Speraw, will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico to compete at the Pan American Games Oct. 24-29.
"I'm excited to work with Jordan again," Speraw said. "He is familiar with the system we are putting in place and is one of the best bic hitters we've had at Irvine. His offensive skills can be utilized on this team."
Held every four years in the year before the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.
The team will begin competition on Oct. 24 in Group B with Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico. Group A will include Argentina, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela.
Since volleyball was introduced into the Pan American Games in 1955, the U.S. Men have claimed gold on four occasions, including back-to-back performances in 1955 and 1959. The third gold medal for the American men came in 1967, the only year that the U.S. men's and women's team both captured gold medals. 20 years later they captured gold in 1987.
In the 14 Pan American Games featuring men's volleyball, the U.S. has played into the final match on eight occasions and has advanced to medal-round matches 11 times.
In 2007, head coach Hugh McCutcheon, coming off a bronze medal performance at World League, led the United States to second place at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Pan American Games Schedule (All times PT)
Group A
Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.: Cuba vs. Argentina
Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.: Venezuela vs. Mexico
Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.: Cuba vs. Venezuela
Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. Argentina vs. Mexico
Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. Argentina vs. Venezuela
Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. Cuba vs. Mexico
Group B
Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.: USA vs. Puerto Rico
Oct. 24 at 4 p.m.: Brazil vs. Canada
Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.: Brazil vs. Puerto Rico
Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.: USA vs. Canada
Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.: Puerto Rico vs. Canada
Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.: Brazil vs. USA
Quarterfinals
Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.: A 2nd vs. B 3rd
Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.: B 2nd vs. A 3rd
Classification 5-8
Oct. 28 at 10 a.m.: A 4th vs. Quarterfinal loser
Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.: B 4th vs. Quarterfinal loser
Semifinals
Oct. 28 at noon: A winner vs. Quarterfinal winner
Oct. 28 at 3 p.m.: B winner vs. Quarterfinal winner
Oct. 29 at 11 a.m.: Classification 7-8
Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.: Classification 5-6
Oct. 29 at 4 p.m.: Bronze medal match
Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.: Gold medal match
Past U.S. Pan American Games Men's Volleyball Finishes
1955: Gold
1959: Gold
1963: Silver (Brazil gold)
1967: Gold
1971: Silver (Cuba gold)
1975: Fourth (Cuba gold)
1979: Fourth (Cuba gold)
1983: Fourth (Brazil gold)
1987: Gold
1991: Fifth (Cuba gold
1995: Silver (Argentina gold)
1999: Seventh (Cuba gold)
2003: Fourth (Venezuela gold)
2007: Silver (Brazil gold)
