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Briefs: Team USA falls

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The U.S. men’s national team that includes three starters who are former or current players at UC Irvine, lost to host Mexico, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 17-15, in the pool-play finale of the Pan American Cup in Mexico City on Wednesday.

The loss drops the Americans (2-1) to second place in Pool B. They will meet Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals on Thursday, in an attempt to advance to the semifinals to meet either Mexico (3-0) or Brazil (3-0).

Former Anteaters All-American setter Ryan Ammerman, the team captain for the U.S. squad coached by former UCI assistant Shawn Patchell, had 23 runing sets, seven points and three aces against Mexico.

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Former UCI middle blocker Dan McDonnell had a match-best seven blocks and scored 14 points, while libero Michael Brinkley, who will be a junior in the fall, had five digs and was credited with 15 excellent receptions.

— From staff reports

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UCI picked second

The UC Irvine men’s soccer team has been picked to finish second in the four-team Big West Conference South Division in the preseason coaches’ poll.

The Anteaters received one first-place vote and 21 points. Cal State Northridge (30 points and six first-place votes) was picked to win the South Division.

Cal State Fullerton (16 points and one first-place vote) and UC Riverside (13 points) rounded out the South Division Poll.

UCI junior Cameron Iwasa, who led the ‘Eaters with six goals and 14 points last season (two points for a goal and one for an assist), as well as senior defender/midfielder Marco Franco were named to the 11-player preseason all-conference team. Franco had two assists as a junior.

UC Santa Barbara (25 points and five first-place votes) edged UC Davis (23 points and three first-place votes) in the North Division poll.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (21 points) and Sacramento State (11) rounded out the North Division poll.

UCI, coming off a 5-14-1 season (2-8 in the Big West), opens its season at home against Marist on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

— From staff reports

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OCC hires Casey

Orange Coast College crew coach Paul Prioleau announced that Steve Casey has been hired as an assistant coach to replace Pat Gleason, who left to become head coach at UC Irvine.

Casey rowed for OCC in 1994 and ‘95, before continuing his collegiate career at the University of San Diego.

After coaching stints at Oregon State, San Diego State and Central Florida, he became head coach at Pine Crest School, a college prep institution in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

At Pine Crest the last seven years, Casey built the program into one of the best in the state and sent many of his rowers to Ivy League programs.

— From staff reports

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