Team USA Men’s Volleyball Finalizes Olympic Roster: Blending Veterans and Rising Stars for Paris 2025… Read more…
July 28, 2025 – Anaheim, California – With just days remaining before the 2025 Summer Olympic Games kick off in Paris, USA Volleyball officially unveiled its 12-player roster for the men’s national team on Monday. The announcement, made from their training facility in Anaheim, features a strategic mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers—setting the stage for what could be one of the most balanced and versatile squads the U.S. has sent to an Olympic tournament in the past decade.
Guided once again by Head Coach John Speraw, this roster embodies the evolution of U.S. men’s volleyball: faster, deeper, and ready to challenge the world’s best under the bright lights of Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Roster Breakdown: Veterans Anchor, Youth Elevates
Leading the charge is Matt Anderson, the 37-year-old outside hitter entering his fourth Olympic Games. Revered for his all-around skill and leadership, Anderson remains one of the few players in the world capable of shifting momentum with both his serve and his block. His presence is as symbolic as it is strategic—a reminder of continuity in a team that’s otherwise undergoing significant evolution.
Another returning cornerstone is Micah Christenson, the team’s starting setter since 2014. Known for his fast hands, sharp decision-making, and quiet intensity, Christenson will once again orchestrate the American offense. The Christenson-Anderson connection, honed over more than a decade, remains one of the most lethal combinations in international volleyball.
However, the most exciting aspect of this team may be its infusion of fresh talent, particularly in the form of Josh Briggs, a 22-year-old outside hitter who exploded onto the national scene during the 2025 Nations League. Briggs, a UCLA standout, combines explosive verticality with calm under pressure—a rare combination for a player so young.
“Josh earned his place through grit, intelligence, and fearlessness,” said Coach Speraw. “He’s not just the future—he’s the now.”
Full Team USA Men’s Roster for Paris 2025:
- Matt Anderson (OH)
- Micah Christenson (S)
- Josh Briggs (OH)
- Aaron Russell (OH)
- T.J. DeFalco (OH)
- Max Holt (MB)
- Taylor Averill (MB)
- Jeff Jendryk (MB)
- Kyle Ensing (OPP)
- Garrett Muagututia (OH)
- Erik Shoji (L)
- Micah Ma’a (S/OH)
The team features five Olympic returnees, alongside seven players either making their Olympic debut or returning after missing Tokyo. Importantly, Team USA’s roster now features a dual setter-outside hitter hybrid in Micah Ma’a, whose versatility could prove critical in rotation management and late-game strategy.
Coach John Speraw’s Vision
John Speraw, now in his 13th year at the helm, has made no secret of his desire to evolve the U.S. game. “The rest of the world has gotten faster, smarter, and deeper,” he said during Monday’s press conference. “We had to respond—not just by getting better, but by getting different.”
That evolution is reflected in the roster’s balance of positions and player profiles. The 2025 squad isn’t built solely around big arms or towering blockers—it’s a team built to adapt. With athletes like DeFalco and Muagututia capable of both serve-receive and back-row attacks, the lineup allows for dynamic in-game switches.
Speraw has also placed a strong emphasis on mental resilience. The team has been working with a performance psychologist since February, focusing on stress response, recovery, and communication in pressure moments—skills critical in Olympic play.
Road to Paris: Preparations, Scrimmages, and Strategy
Team USA will fly out to France this Thursday, where they’ll conduct a closed-door scrimmage against Italy in Montpellier before arriving in the Olympic Village on August 2. Once in Paris, they’re expected to ramp up preparation with on-site training and film sessions.
Their group includes defending gold medalists France, powerhouse Poland, rising star Japan, and the dangerous Argentina squad—making it arguably the toughest Olympic pool in the tournament.
“There are no easy matches anymore,” said libero Erik Shoji. “You have to be ready for five sets every day. And we are.”
The Americans open their tournament against Japan on August 5, a match expected to draw massive TV and streaming audiences in both countries.
Rising Star Spotlight: Josh Briggs
All eyes will be on Josh Briggs, who many analysts believe could be the breakout star of the tournament. A dominant attacker and fearless defender, Briggs has drawn comparisons to a young Wilfredo León.
His performance in the 2025 Nations League—where he led Team USA in kills against both Serbia and Canada—earned him national praise and a surge in fan interest. Briggs is already being courted by several European professional clubs and is expected to sign his first international contract after the Games.
U.S. Olympic History and 2025 Expectations
Team USA’s men have a proud Olympic tradition, winning gold in 1984, 1988, and 2008. They last medaled in 2016, taking home bronze in Rio. Their fifth-place finish in Tokyo was viewed as a disappointment, but Speraw insists that those lessons were necessary.
“Tokyo humbled us. This team has grown from that pain. Now, we’re ready.”
Sportsbooks currently list the U.S. as the third-favorite for gold, behind Poland and France.
Final Word: Quiet Confidence Before the Storm
As Monday’s announcement reverberates through the volleyball world, there’s a palpable sense of quiet confidence surrounding Team USA. They’re not the loudest, the flashiest, or the most decorated—but they may be the most complete team heading to Paris.
With veterans anchoring the core and young guns ready to rise, the Americans aren’t just chasing medals—they’re chasing greatness.
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