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(LEBANON, Ill., Aug 27) – McKendree University men's volleyball alumni Brendan Schmidt (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West) has been selected as part of the United States men's volleyball team that is set to compete in the Pan American Cup in Cordova, Veracruz, Mexico on Aug. 28-30.

Schmidt will compete as a middle blocker for the U.S. at the Pan Am Cup. He is one of four players selected for that position on the 14-man roster. The team's first match will take place Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT against Peru, the second match against Puerto Rico will be at 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday, and the final match will be versus Argentina at 5 p.m. PT on Thursday.

"It is an amazing accomplishment that Brendan has earned his way on to the USA Pan Am roster of 14 of the most elite players in the country," said Nickie Sanlin. "As a coach, it is an extremely proud moment that a young man that was a member of the first-ever class to compete here at McKendree is now living his dream in the USA gym. The amount of time and dedication he has put into his craft is a testament to what type of young man he is. He made his mark in our program and now he is beginning his next journey representing our program and our country."

The Pan American Cup is a round robin three-day tournament where the top five teams qualify for the 2019 Pan American Games that will take place July 26-Aug.11 in Lima, Peru.