The US national team announced its squad for the third and final week of the preliminary phase of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), which will take place from July 15 to 19 in Hoffman Estates near Chicago. It is there that the Americans will face Bulgaria in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. The match is on July 19 at 04:00 Bulgarian time.
Head coach Karch Kiraly has made only a few changes compared to the squad from the second week in France. Libero Mason Briggs and outside hitter Cooper Robinson return to the squad from the Orleans tournament, and middle blocker Matthew Knigge is also among the selected players. Libero Kyle D'Agostino and opposite hitter Gabi Garcia remain out of the squad. Thus, Karch Kiraly will have two opposite hitters – Jake Hanes and Cole Hartke, instead of three, as was the case in the second week.
The core of the American team remains unchanged. The squad features the names of Olympic medalists Matt Anderson, Micah Christenson, TJ DeFalco, Taylor Averill, Jeff Jendryk, and Erik Shoji.

USA squad for the third VNL week:
Setters:Micah Christenson, Micah Ma'a.
Opposite Hitters:Jake Hanes, Cole Hartke.
Outside Hitters:Matt Anderson, TJ DeFalco, Cooper Robinson, Ethan Champlin, Jordan Ewert.
Middle Blockers:Taylor Averill, Jeff Jendryk, Matthew Knigge, Merrick McHenry.
Liberos:Mason Briggs, Erik Shoji.
The Americans have a record of 6 wins and 2 losses after the first two weeks of the tournament and rank second in the provisional standings. In Chicago, they will sequentially face China, Brazil, Bulgaria (July 19 - 04:00 Bulgarian time), and Poland in the battle for a spot in the Final Eight.

Photo:volleyballworld.com