The latest in an endless list of American setters who managed to leave their marks in international volleyball, Micah Christenson has been the face of the country’s national team for the last decade. As his American teammates have learned to rely on his playmaking and intelligence to dismantle opponents, they also trust the decisive leadership of their captain, which makes a positive impact in everyone around him, on and off the court.

Born in a sports family

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Micah probably had his faith set as sportsperson even before he came to the world. The son of Robert, a basketball collegiate athlete at the University of Hawaii, and Charlene, who played volleyball at the same college, where she won three national championships and was named a two-time All-American, he followed in their footsteps. The tradition continued with his younger sister, Joanna, who played as a setter at the Southern Utah University.

Micah started playing volleyball in 2005, at Quicksilver Volleyball Club, in Hawaii, and during his time at Kamehameha High School, he split his time between the sport and basketball. He was a standout in both sports, leading his high school teams to three state championship titles – two in basketball (2009 and 2011) and one in volleyball (2011).

A record-setting start with the national team

Micah made history with the USA national team uniform from the first time he wore it, in 2009, when, at the age of 16, he became the youngest setter to ever represent the country at the World Championship, appearing in the U19 age group.

Two years later, he captained the Americans at the U21 World Championship, taking the team to fourth place and giving the country its first and only semifinal appearance in the tournament, in a squad that also featured outside hitter Taylor Sander.

A remarkable collegiate career

Between 2012 and 2015, Micah became one of the most successful volleyball players of the storied University of Southern California (USC). The setter led the team to a National Championship appearance in 2012 and became a three-time AVCA All American (2012, 2014, 2015).

During his time at USC, Micah also won twice (2014, 2015) the Off The Block Lloy Ball Award, given to the nation’s top men’s collegiate setter and named after the man he was replacing at the USA men’s national team.