Local trio chosen for Pan Am Games

Former UC Irvine All-Americans Zack La Cavera and Michael Brinkley, as well as Newport Harbor High product Cody Caldwell are among the 12 men’s volleyball players selected to represent the United States in the Pan American Games, July 17 through 26 in Toronto, Canada.

La Cavera, a 6-foot-5 opposite, was a first-team All-American and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year in 2015, when the then-senior led the Anteaters to conference regular-season and tournament titles. His 468 kills led all MPSF players and he also led the conference in points (565) and aces (44), while posting a .339 hitting percentage.

Brinkley, a three-time first-team All-American who was voted the nation’s top libero as a senior in 2015, completed his collegiate career ranked No. 2 in UCI history with 1,099 career digs. As a senior, he led the MPSF with 2.95 digs per set.

Both La Cavera and Brinkley were members of UCI national championship teams in 2012 and 2013.

Caldwell, a 6-7 outside hitter, helped Loyola of Chicago win NCAA titles in 2014 and 2015.

Team USA is in Pool B along with Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Americans will open July 17 against Puerto Rico. They then will face Mexico on July 19 and take on Canada on July 21.

The quarterfinals are scheduled July 22, the semifinals on July 24 and the medal rounds on July 26.

— From staff reports