[Mick]

Can you confirm Erik will be starter at libero?

Well I don't know who will start for sure and a big caveat is that a lot of players will get a lot of playing time, including starting time, to rest legs.  But I am calling this the gold medal team in the Olympics.  They are that talented, they have great chemistry, and their long time coach, John Speraw is one of the very best.

In the most important matches, my best guess is that the starting lineup will be:

Opp  Matt Anderson of Penn State will start at right side/opposite.  Was the youngest player on the 2012 Olympic team.  Has been our leading scorer every year since 2011.  Moved from OH to oppo in 2013.  12'3" attack jump, he's 6'9"  From NY.
L      Erik's the best libero I've seen in a looong time and he is the only libero on the team.  That's confidence.  If he goes out, it will be one of the OH's.  Named Best LIbero in 2015 World Cup.  6'0".
S      Micah Christensen will start at setter.  6'6"
MB    Max Holt.  Named #1 blocker at 2014 all star team of the Grand Champions.  Leading blocker and server.  Third leading scorer on men's team.  6'9"
MB    David Lee of Long Beach State, has been on two Olympic teams, won World League medals in 2008 and 2014, named Best Blocker in 2014.  Scored four of the final five points against Russia in the 2008 Olympic final.  6'8"
OH    Aaron Russell.  Leading scorer against Argentina in World Cup Final.
OH    Taylor Sander.  Shortest pin hitter at 6'4", but amazing leap.  Might be the best pure hitting talent.  2014 Rookie of the YEar, best server on the squad, has been a starter since 2014.

Incidentally, the top five teams in order are:

1.  Brazil
2.  Poland
3.  Russia
4.  Italy
5.  USA, but coming up fast...

Next five are Argentina, Bulgaria, Iran, Germany, Canada and France.

Rankings are based upon the five most recent important competitions, including the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 World Championships, the 2015 World League, the 2015 World Cup and the 2015 Continental Championship.  The USA won the World Cup, finished second in the World League, fifth in the Olympics, seventh in the World Championships and did not participate in the Continentals.

[Mick]

Can you confirm Erik will be starter at libero?

Well I don't know who will start for sure and a big caveat is that a lot of players will get a lot of playing time, including starting time, to rest legs.  But I am calling this the gold medal team in the Olympics.  They are that talented, they have great chemistry, and their long time coach, John Speraw is one of the very best.

In the most important matches, my best guess is that the starting lineup will be:

Opp  Matt Anderson of Penn State will start at right side/opposite.  Was the youngest player on the 2012 Olympic team.  Has been our leading scorer every year since 2011.  Moved from OH to oppo in 2013.  12'3" attack jump, he's 6'9"  From NY.
L      Erik's the best libero I've seen in a looong time and he is the only libero on the team.  That's confidence.  If he goes out, it will be one of the OH's.  Named Best LIbero in 2015 World Cup.  6'0".
S      Micah Christensen will start at setter.  6'6"
MB    Max Holt.  Named #1 blocker at 2014 all star team of the Grand Champions.  Leading blocker and server.  Third leading scorer on men's team.  6'9"
MB    David Lee of Long Beach State, has been on two Olympic teams, won World League medals in 2008 and 2014, named Best Blocker in 2014.  Scored four of the final five points against Russia in the 2008 Olympic final.  6'8"
OH    Aaron Russell.  Leading scorer against Argentina in World Cup Final.
OH    Taylor Sander.  Shortest pin hitter at 6'4", but amazing leap.  Might be the best pure hitting talent.  2014 Rookie of the YEar, best server on the squad, has been a starter since 2014.

Incidentally, the top five teams in order are:

1.  Brazil
2.  Poland
3.  Russia
4.  Italy
5.  USA, but coming up fast...

Next five are Argentina, Bulgaria, Iran, Germany, Canada and France.

Rankings are based upon the five most recent important competitions, including the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 World Championships, the 2015 World League, the 2015 World Cup and the 2015 Continental Championship.  The USA won the World Cup, finished second in the World League, fifth in the Olympics, seventh in the World Championships and did not participate in the Continentals.