[Mick]

Kawika was a great setter, but Micah Christensen will set for the American Olympic team.

The starting setter will be Micah Christensen who grew up playing beach volleyball in Hawaii where he was Player of the Year as a senior.  He was a four year starter at USC, three time All American, three year captain and two-time winner of the Lloy Ball award for the best collegiate setter. 

“Micah has a bright future with the U.S. team. He plays with poise and resolve. He listens well and is easily coached.” – Lloy Ball, four-time Olympic setter with the U.S. Men’s Team and 2008 gold medalist

I've been watching Micah play since he was 12.  When he was 16, he was the youngest setter for the Youth National Team.  He started for the U. S. Men in 2014 when they won the World FIVB Cup.  In 2013, he was supposed to play for the Junior National Team ,but was called up to the Senior National Team, an exceedingly rare event.  He was named best setter at the 2015 FIVB World Cup where the Americans won for the first time in 30 years.  Erik Shoji was named best libero at that cup.

At 6'3", Kawika is short for this level of competition, where the setter often has to block the best hitter on the opposing team.  Christensen is 6'6" and puts up a very strong block.

Other young players to watch; Taylor Sander of BYU, easily the best player of the year ahead of Christensen's, and Aaron Russell who probably won't start but is a very strong outside and played for Penn State.

[Mick]

Kawika was a great setter, but Micah Christensen will set for the American Olympic team.

The starting setter will be Micah Christensen who grew up playing beach volleyball in Hawaii where he was Player of the Year as a senior.  He was a four year starter at USC, three time All American, three year captain and two-time winner of the Lloy Ball award for the best collegiate setter. 

“Micah has a bright future with the U.S. team. He plays with poise and resolve. He listens well and is easily coached.” – Lloy Ball, four-time Olympic setter with the U.S. Men’s Team and 2008 gold medalist

I've been watching Micah play since he was 12.  When he was 16, he was the youngest setter for the Youth National Team.  He started for the U. S. Men in 2014 when they won the World FIVB Cup.  In 2013, he was supposed to play for the Junior National Team ,but was called up to the Senior National Team, an exceedingly rare event.  He was named best setter at the 2015 FIVB World Cup where the Americans won for the first time in 30 years.  Erik Shoji was named best libero at that cup.

At 6'3", Kawika is short for this level of competition, where the setter often has to block the best hitter on the opposing team.  Christensen is 6'6" and puts up a very strong block.

Other young players to watch; Taylor Sander of BYU, easily the best player of the year ahead of Christensen's, and Aaron Russell who probably won't start but is a very strong outside and played for Penn State.