USA workforce 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 troublesome 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 People as they play at Mall of Asia Enviornment for the primary time within the Philippines’ third straight internet hosting of the distinguished world match.
“It’s a pleasure to be right here. It’s our first yr 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 individual is an actual pleasure,” USA skipper Micah Christenson stated. “We’re excited to expertise all of it.”
Christenson, the reigning VNL Greatest Setter, is aware of his workforce is dealing with the daunting activity of creating it to the High 8 as they’re presently in twelfth place with a 3-5 file.
“I believe we’re making an attempt to only enhance and get higher. We’ve acquired a little bit of a mountain to climb by way of qualifying for the finals,” he stated. “However we introduced our climbing gears so we’re going to attempt 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 may lastly get to expertise it in Manila, the place the FIVB Males’s World Championship subsequent yr can even be held.
“We have been speaking about the truth that we had not had a possibility to return to the Philippines but we have been trying 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 definitely a precursor to the world championships subsequent yr.”
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 last word aim 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 match earlier than the Paris Olympics with 5 tickets based mostly on the FIVB World Rankings up for grabs.
Solely seven international locations – USA, host France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Poland, and Canada – have booked their Olympic seats to this point.
The Netherlands and Brazil open the VNL Leg 3 on Tuesday at 5 p.m., adopted by the primary recreation between Japan and Canada at 8:30 p.m.
