Team USA's Micah Christenson shares plans for rest, preparation, and maybe a taste of Manila culture after a perfect Pool D run in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
After cruising through Pool D with a perfect record, Team USA setter Micah Christenson is relishing both the volleyball and the atmosphere in Manila for the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
The Americans capped preliminary play with a four-set victory over Cuba, securing a spot in the Round of 16.
For Christenson, the early part of the tournament couldn’t have gone any better.
“It’s about as good as we could [hope] for in the group stage,” Christenson said.
“I think we’re feeling good, I think we’re pretty healthy and playing some pretty good volleyball. Now we have a few days off—we’re gonna continue to sharpen our tools and get ready for the next round.”
A few days to breathe
Team USA will have four days off before their Round of 16 match, giving the world no. 5 a rare chance to reset.
Christenson admitted it feels “a little bit strange” to have an extended break in the middle of a major tournament, but it also offers the team time to recover and prepare.
With Slovenia and Germany battling for the right to face the United States in the next round, the 32-year-old setter said his team is happy to sit back and simply enjoy the spectacle for once.
“We’re gonna sit back with our popcorn and get to be fans of volleyball for a little while, and then we’ll dive into our next opponent,” he said.
[ALSO READ: Erik Shoji, Team USA look to clean up on basics despite perfect start to FIVB Worlds]
Exploring Manila?
Asked whether Team USA would get to explore the city, Christenson smiled, saying the final call rests with head coach Karch Kiraly and the staff.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what our schedule is. You have to talk to the boss over there,” he said, referring to Kiraly.
“If anything, if I know this team, we like to spend some time together. So who knows? Maybe we’ll get to see something and learn something more about the Filipino culture.”
[ALSO READ: Team USA's Micah Christenson excited to be back in Manila for FIVB Worlds: 'I can’t wait']
For now, though, the focus remains on staying sharp and maintaining momentum.
With the knockout rounds looming, Christenson and Team USA are looking to balance work and rest while still soaking in the love and energy of Manila as hosts.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.