The Daily Tribune
U.S., Japan, Slovenia plot FIVB surprises
The USA and Japan national volleyball teams are considered darkhorse contenders in the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in the Philippines.
Both teams, ranked fifth (Japan) and sixth (USA) in the world, have a strong following in the Philippines after participating in the Volleyball Nations League last year.
Japan will rely on key players Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi, though Yuji Nishida may be absent due to his recent marriage.
The Japanese team aims to improve on their 12th-place finish in the 2022 World Championship and recent quarterfinal exits.
The USA team, which finished sixth in 2022, is bolstered by experienced players like setter Micah Christenson and captain Erik Shoji, who recently won a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, Slovenia will be without star player Rok Mozic due to a knee injury, but remains a strong contender with other experienced players aiming to replicate their fourth-place finish in 2022.
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