USA group captain Micah Christenson throughout a press convention forward of the VNL Week 3 in Manila. –PNVF PHOTO
VNL 2024 schedule: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg
MANILA, Philippines — Group USA braces for a tricky climb to the Last Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) because it performs essential video games in its first stint in Manila for Week 3.
All eyes are on the Individuals as they play at Mall of Asia Enviornment for the primary time within the Philippines’ third straight internet hosting of the distinguished world event.
“It’s a pleasure to be right here. It’s our first 12 months right here. We felt quite a lot of love on-line and on social media from Filipino followers so to lastly be right here and expertise it in particular person is an actual pleasure,” USA skipper Micah Christenson stated. “We’re excited to expertise all of it.”
Christenson, the reigning VNL Finest Setter, is aware of his group is going through the daunting activity of creating it to the High 8 as they’re at the moment in twelfth place with a 3-5 document.
“I feel we’re making an attempt to simply enhance and get higher. We’ve bought a little bit of a mountain to climb when it comes to qualifying for the finals,” he stated. “However we introduced our climbing gears so we’re going to strive our greatest to rise up there.”
READ: ‘Nice expectations’ forward for Japan in VNL Manila leg
USA coach John Speraw, in the meantime, stated is awe of the Philippine volleyball’s recognition that they are going to lastly get to expertise it in Manila, the place the FIVB Males’s World Championship subsequent 12 months will even be held.
“We have been speaking about the truth that we had not had a possibility to come back to the Philippines but we have been wanting ahead to that day. Right here we’re so we’re excited to be right here and grateful for the chance to expertise it,” Speraw stated.
“I’ve heard a lot about which is the help of the Philippine followers and the way a lot volleyball has grown right here on this nation. And positively a precursor to the world championships subsequent 12 months.”
Group USA and Micah Christenson on their upcoming VNL stint in Manila. #VNL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/yhfsxRVqD1
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 17, 2024
The USA will debut in Manila on Wednesday in opposition to Iran at 7 p.m. after the three p.m. recreation between France and Germany.
“We’re making an attempt to have our greatest week of VNL and play our greatest volleyball this summer time and as we glance to proceed to enhance with the final word purpose in thoughts. We’re excited to get out and compete and see all of the followers,” stated the USA coach.
The High 8 groups will qualify within the VNL Last Spherical in Poland. The league can also be serving as the ultimate volleyball event earlier than the Paris Olympics with 5 tickets based mostly on the FIVB World Rankings up for grabs.
Solely seven nations – USA, host France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Poland, and Canada – have booked their Olympic seats thus far.
The Netherlands and Brazil open the VNL Leg 3 on Tuesday at 5 p.m., adopted by the principle recreation between Japan and Canada at 8:30 p.m.
