Follow
Setter Micah Christenson wasted no time on the Olympic stage showing why he is considered one of the top setters in the world.
Christenson guided the offense to a .550 attack percentage as the United States swept France 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 in its preliminary round opener on Saturday in Tokyo.
The former USC All-American had 43 assists and limited the U.S. offense to six attack errors throughout the entire match — 10 fewer errors than France. Christenson appearing in his second Olympics also had team-high five digs.
Five U.S. starters ended the sweep with more than five kills, and four of those players had more than a 50 percent offensive efficiency.
Opposite Matt Anderson finished with a match-high 13 kills and committed zero errors. In addition, outside attacker Taylor sander contributed 12 kills and led the United States with two blocks.
Former Long Beach State All-American outside attacker TJ DeFalco in his Olympic debut had nine kills.
Along with the U.S. pin-hitters, middle attacker Max Holt had eight kills, while middle attacker David Smith had seven kills and zero errors.
France in the loss was held to a .246 attack percentage and did not have a player finish with double-digit kills. Outside attacker Earvin Ngapeth led France with eight kills but was held to a 18.75 percent offensive efficiency.
The United States committed two attack errors and hit .480 in the third game to complete the sweep.
Anderson in the second game led all players with six kills, while Sander added five kills. France cut the deficit in that game to 17-15 before the United States went on a 4-1 run en route to taking a two-game lead.
The United States opened the match on a 5-0 run with Anderson at the service line and led by as many as eight points in its first-game victory. Sander, DeFalco and Smith each had four kills as the United States committed three errors and hit .500 in the opening game.
The United States will continue the preliminary round with a match against Russia on Sunday. Russia defeated Argentina in four games in its preliminary round opener on Saturday.
This will be the first Olympic meeting between the two countries since the United States rallied from a two-game deficit to beat Russia in the bronze-medal match in 2016. In addition, Russia defeated the United States in the gold-medal match of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals.