Christenson says every set counts for USA at Olympic Qualifier 

Micah Christenson made an impact in the United States’ silver medal finish at the 2023 Volleyball Nations League, even winning an individual accolade for his magnificent playmaking performance, but he underlines that his other teammates have also experience to throw into the mix to succeed at the Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

USA are in Tokyo from September 30 to October 8, playing a round-robin tournament against hosts Japan, Slovenia Serbia, Türkiye, Tunisia, Egypt and Finland to clinch one of the two available spots in Pool B.

“I think with the experience that I’ve had now with my personal career in volleyball, it’s super valuable coming into a tournament like this with the qualification because it’s a difficult tournament with a lot of games in a short period of time. We’re playing very good teams and we have to come out of the top two,” Christenson said.

• Watch Christenson’s CLOSER TO PARIS full interview on VBTV

Playing in a round-robin tournament in Tokyo is reminiscent of their gold medal moment at the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup and they have to tap into that moment to repeat their success.

“There are shades of a World Cup qualifier in 2015, when we won the gold medal. We can reach on that experience in every game. Every set counts because you’re not playing the final in these qualifiers. You play every team and the team with the best record and the most number of points wins. Our USA mindset is ‘point by point’. Every point matters, and that goes right into a tournament like this.” Christenson explained.

He highlighted the team’s experience as their key to playing the round-robin tournament format.

“I feel very comfortable with regard to the format of this tournament. To be able to have that experience and reach back on it is important and try to win volleyball games. And after playing in a lot of volleyball games, I’ve been fortunate to win more that I’ve lost and so have a lot of my teammates,” he said.

“All of my teammates have that experience to pull back on those moments when the lights are bright and the moments are big, to use those in the next tournaments and the next important moments are super valuable and we’ve got a lot in this team.”

The USA setter is looking forward to playing again in front of the cheerful Japanese crowd.

“It will be a fun challenge. Playing a home country in their own country is always fun for me because the stadium is usually full and the crowd’s really into it,” he said.

“I’m at the point of my career where it’s so much more fun than stressful to play on those moments of hostile environments. I’m very excited not only to play Japan at home but just to play this whole tournament in Japan because we’ve received so much support from the Japanese fans. It’s always a pleasure for us to go and play in Japan.”

VBTV Originals presents CLOSER TO PARIS, featuring Micah Christenson as the eighth in the slate of exclusive features of the world’s best stars sharing their thoughts and dreams on the road to qualification for the Paris Olympics.

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