Back from a year-long break, team captain Micah Christenson steered Team USA to a rousing 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship debut against Colombia.
Micah Christenson is back with a bang.
After sitting out the VNL, the Team USA captain is back in harness and orchestrated a straight-set win over Colombia to open Pool D action of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Christenson showed no signs of rust, delivering 23 excellent sets that helped three Americans reach double figures in scoring.
[ALSO READ: Team USA zoom past Colombia for triumphant start in 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
Ethan Champlin scored 17 points on 12 kills, three aces and two blocks. Gabriel Garcia added 12 points, while Jordan Ewert chipped in 11.
“It was a good start. It was the first time for a lot of our guys in a World Championship match, and I think we didn’t have many ups and downs. Colombia had some good moments, but we showed maturity in dealing with them," Christenson told reporters afterwards.
Back with fresh legs
The match also marked Christenson’s international return after helping Team USA secure bronze at the Olympics in Paris last year.
He stepped away from competition afterward, taking time to recharge both physically and mentally.
That decision cost him this year's VNL — where the Americans finished a disappointing 12th — but it may have set the stage for a stronger World Championship push and for the long run.
Micah Christenson tosses the ball for Team USA offense against Colombia at the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship. | Photo: Volleyball World
“When I took a break from volleyball, I kind of used it to build my body up to get ready not only for the World Championship, but also for other national team competitions to come,” he said.
Christenson added: “I feel physically pretty good. I joined the team after Vienna to not only play volleyball and get in touch with the guys, but also to personally get to know everyone. It’s really been a fun process."
Better, not best
With the win, Team USA earned their first three points in Pool D, while Colombia, playing its first World Championship match, dropped to 0-1.
Christenson and his group will next face Portugal, before wrapping up pool play against Cuba.
“This tournament is very difficult to win, and we know how difficult it is,” he said.
“We don’t have to be the best team in the world every single day — we just have to be the better team on that particular day. That’s what I’m taking to heart," Christenson added.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.