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The U.S. roster is set as the team attempts to qualify for the 2019 FIVB U19 World Championship.
USA Volleyball announced on Friday the 12-person roster for the upcoming NORCECA U19 Continental Championship.
UCLA assistant coach and U.S. head coach Brad Keller initially selected 20 high school players to compete for a final roster. In addition, 12-person roster was determined following a two-week training camp in Colorado.
“This is the first time I have been a part of a program where all 20 could make this team,” Keller said in a statement to USA Volleyball. “The guys that are here are the ones who played the best and they earned the right to be here. That’s no offense to the other guys because the other guys are really good.”
The Southern California Region led all USA Volleyball regions with 10 players earning a spot on the U.S. roster. The Florida Region and the Carolina Region also each have a player on the team.
The U19 Continental Championship will begin Wednesday in Costa Rica.
The top-two teams at this bi-annual international tournament will clinch berths to the U19 World Championship.
The United States won the silver medal at the 2016 U19 Continental Championship and qualified for the U19 World Championship. It also finished the World Championship in 15th place last year.
U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team roster
Setter: Joseph Karlous
Setter: Aidan Knipe
Opposite: Clarke Godbold
Opposite: Scott Solan
Outside attacker: Joseph Deluzio
Outside attacker: James Hartley
Outside attacker: Alex Knight
Outside attacker: Akhil Tangutur
Middle attacker: Ethan Hill
Middle attacker: Nathaniel Gates
Middle attacker: Ethan Smith
Libero: Mason Briggs
Coaching staff
Head coach: Brad Keller, UCLA
Assistant coach: Nick MacRae, Long Beach State
Assistant coach: Colin McMillan, Penn State
Technical coordinator: Kevin Burch, Ohio State
Team leader: Gabby Lutjen