The first day of pool play action at the 2017 NORCECA Men's Pan-American Cup in Gatineau, Canada, featured four competitive matches.

The U.S. men's national team kicked off its Pan-Am Cup performance in Group A with a 3-1 victory over Mexico. Recent BYU grad Jake Langlois, who was also a member of the World League squad, led the team with 18 points -- 15 kills, two blocks, and an ace -- while former UCLA middle blocker Mitch Stahl contributed 17 points -- seven kills, five blocks, and five aces.

Stahl hit three of his five aces in a row to win the fourth set and the match for the U.S. squad.

Libero Larry "Tui" Tuileta, a junior at Hawaii, picked up eight digs in the match, second only to Canada's Bryan Duquette for the first day of competition, as well as dishing up 19 excellent service receptions.

After the match, setter and captain Jonah Seif, a 2016 UC Santa Barbara graduate, said he was proud of his team, but admits there might have been a few jitters on the young USA squad.

"It was great to get out there and get that first win," Seif said. "I think there was a little bit of nerves before the first match of the tournament . . . Mexico is an experienced group so we knew that they weren't going to give up. It was a great first match and we hope to keep the momentum going."

In the other Group A match of the day, Cuba defeated Dominican Republic in four sets, leaving the U.S. and Cuba in a tie for first place in the pool with four points each.

Argentina leads Group B with five points, thanks to a straight-set victory over Puerto Rico. Cristian Poglajen led the Argentinian squad with nine kills, a block, and four aces for a total of 14 points.

Canada claimed four points in front of its home crowd in Gatineau, Quebec, after a 3-1 victory over Venezuela. Outside hitter Ryan Sclater led the team with 16 points: 15 kills and an ace.

On day two, the U.S. will take on the Dominican Republic at 2 PM ET.

NORCECA Pan-American Cup Results: July 25, 2017

Group A
Cuba def. Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-17, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22)
USA def. Mexico 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18)

Group B
Argentina def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-22)
Canada def. Venezuela 3-1 (25-17, 25-27, 25-15, 25-22)