Bigger Challenge Ahead for Team USA After Perfect Pool Start

Despite qualifying for the round of 16 without dropping a set, USA won’t rest on its laurels in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Buoyed by its massive crowd support at SM Mall of Asia Arena, World No.5 USA swept Portugal, 25-19, 25-22, 25-17, to remain unbeaten in two games in Pool B on Monday night.

Gabi Garcia, an American-Puerto Rican opposite spiker, continued to step up in his first World Championship, dropping hammering eight kills, two blocks, and two aces for 12 points to send his team to the knockout round.

The secret to USA’s strong start? Their healthy competition in practice.

“If someone misses a set, or someone is kinda out of it, we keep ourselves accountable,” Garcia said. “We sometimes fight, but at the end of the day we want what’s best for the team, and keep ourselves humble, since we know that we’re not the strongest team, but we’re not the weakest.”

The 26-year-old Garcia is embracing a bigger role for USA, which missed its stars TJ De Falco and Matt Anderson in its 18th straight World Championship.

“I embrace it. It’s fun to play here, it’s fun to be just wake up everyday and do something that you love. Embrace it as much as you can, and challenges they will come, but as long as you keep your head on, and you fight, you can do it,” he said.

Veterans Erik Shoji and Micah Christenson lauded their newcomers like Garcia, Ethan Champlin, and Merrick McHenry for stepping up in their worlds debut.

“It's really cool for these guys. They're so young and talented. Not that young, but so talented and very mature for their age, so it's really a pleasure for me to add myself to this group,” said captain and skipper Christenson.

Shoji was also pleased with their strong start, but he urges the team to keep on improving as they end the pool stage against the winless Colombia on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

“I know that a lot of us who have been here before just try to communicate as much as we can, work as hard as we can, and be a good example for those guys,” said the libero.

“I just think what's special is how they're performing right now and how confident we feel, and just how we're grinding out these matches. It's not perfect, it's not always pretty, but two 3-0 wins, I think we're really happy with that.” DANNY SIMON

Gabi Garcia has been one of the top spikers for Micah Christenson and Team USA (FIVB MWCH LOC 2025)