This will be Muagtutia's second Olympics, having traveled to Tokyo with the U.S. team in 2021 and competed as an alternate on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. This will be Maa's first Olympic competition. Both players are currently training in the United States in preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) competition. The competition begins in Turkey on May 22nd, followed by qualifying rounds in Canada (June 4th) and the Philippines (June 19th). The top eight teams at the end of qualifying will advance to the VNL final round to be held in Poland from June 27-30. The United States enters the 2024 Games ranked No. 2 in the world and has won silver medals in the past two VNLs (2022 and 2023).
Muagtusia, a 6-5 outside hitter (Frances Parker HS) from Oceanside, Calif., made his debut with the U.S. men's national team at the 2011 Pan American Cup and made his first appearance at the Tokyo Olympics. He has played professionally in Spain, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Poland, China, Portugal and Greece. In 2023, he helped the United States win gold medals at the Olympic qualifying event and the NORCECA Continental Cup. Muagtutia was a member of the 2023 US VNL team that won a silver medal and also competed in the FIVB World Championships. He also played in the 2022 VNL. In 2019, Muagtutia was a member of the U.S. team that won a bronze medal at the FIVB World Cup, brought home a silver medal at the FIVB Nations League, and helped the United States qualify for Tokyo in the FIVB Men's Volleyball Qualification Tournament.
At UCLA, Muagtutia earned second-team All-America honors in multiple seasons (2010, 2008). He led the Bruins in kills (446) as a senior and finished his career with 71 double-digit kills, 19 double-doubles and 99 service aces. Muagtutia finished his Bruin career as the school's leader in the rally scoring era with block solos (44) and second place in career kills (1,473).
Marr made his debut with the U.S. national team in 2018 after a stellar career with the junior national team. He helped the United States win a silver medal at the 2019 VNL and a bronze medal at the 2019 FIVB World Cup. Maa was a member of the U.S. team that qualified for the Tokyo Games and won the gold medal. In 2023, he was a member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at the VNL and a gold medal at the NORCECA Continental Championships. Marr was a member of the team that helped the United States win a gold medal in qualifying for the 2024 Paris Games.
“One of the most difficult things about coaching this team is naming the final 12 players to play in the Olympics,” said the U.S. men's head coach. John Spero Said. “We have 14 of his players traveling to every tournament during the quad, and narrowing it down to 12 is always a big challenge.
“This was a very difficult decision because we have so many talented, hard-working, high-character athletes who are great teammates and have represented the United States. , we decided that this team was our best 12 to play in Paris.
“Selecting my team has allowed me to manage the hardships of a Volleyball Nations League (VNL) trip with a veteran team, allowing me to prepare for matches with a balance between training, recovery, and competition.
“It's an incredible honor to coach them. I've known all of them for a long time. I have very high confidence in their ability to play the game and I'm excited to see how they compete. We know how special this experience is and are grateful to these 12 men and all the athletes who gave their all to this Olympic effort. Masu.”
Spero will be the head coach of the Olympic team for the third time after leading the U.S. men's national team to bronze medals in Rio and Tokyo. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. men's team that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games. Spero is also the head coach of the UCLA men's volleyball team, which won its second consecutive NCAA championship on May 5th.
The 2024 Olympic indoor volleyball competition will be held at the South Paris Arena. The men's competition will begin on July 27th and run until August 10th. The U.S. men have won five medals in Olympic indoor volleyball, the last being bronze in 2016. The United States has won three Olympic gold medals in indoor men's volleyball. at the 1984, 1988 and 2008 Olympics.
2024 Paris Olympics U.S. Men's Athlete Roster
Player number (position, height, hometown, university)
1 Matt Anderson (Opp, 6-10, West Seneca, NY, Penn State)
2 Aaron Russell (Ohio State, 6-9, Ellicott City, Maryland, Pennsylvania)
4 Jeff Gendrick (MB, 6-10, Wheaton, IL, Loyola Chicago)
8 TJ DeFalco (OH, 6-5, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, CA)
11 Mika Christenson (S, 6-5, Honolulu, Hawaii, USC)
12 Max Holt (MB, 6-10, Cincinnati, Ohio, Pennsylvania)
14 Mika Maher (S, 6-3, Kaneohe, Hawaii, UCLA)
17 Thomas Jeschke (Ohio State, 6-6, Wheaton, Illinois, Loyola Chicago)
18 Garrett Muagtusia (Ohio State, Oceanside, Calif., 6-5, UCLA)
19 Taylor Averill (MB, 6-7, San Jose, California, University of Hawaii)
20 David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, CA, UC Irvine)
22 Eric Shoji (L, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford)
Official Alternate: 5 Kyle Ensing (OPP, 6-7, Valencia, Calif., Long Beach State)
