Captain - Christa Harmotto Dietzen
Christa Harmotto Dietzen has had a spectacular 11 months. In October 2014 she was a member of the United States team that won the World Championship, and in July 2015 was named second best blocker at the 2015 World Grand Prix as her team won Group 1.
She comes from a sporting family and took up volleyball in her school years. She made her international debut in 2009 after winning a host of awards while playing at Pennsylvania State University, including Conference Player of the Year in 2007. The middle blocker was part of the United States team that won the 2013 NORCECA Championship and earned a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Her team were runners-up in the 2013 Grand Champions Cup, and achieved World Grand Prix triumphs in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Christa tore an anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in 2005, followed by knee surgery in 2011 and shoulder surgery in 2013.
Star Player - Foluke Akinradewo
Foluke Akinradewo took up volleyball in her second year of high school in the United States. She initially competed in athletics and basketball until her coach persuaded her to make the switch to volleyball.
Akinradewo made her international debut for the United States at the 2005 Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The middle blocker was part of the victorious US team that took home silver from the London 2012 Olympic Games, and won three consecutive gold medals at the World Grand Prix between 2010 and 2012. She and her team returned to the top step of the World Grand Prix podium in 2015. Akinradewo was named Best Blocker and Most Valuable Player at the 2010 championship. Her team also finished second at the 2011 World Cup in Japan and took top honours at the 2011 NORCECA Championship.
The 26-year-old holds citizenship of Canada, United States and Nigeria, and hopes to go into medicine when she finishes playing volleyball. At 331cm, she has the highest spike in the US squad for whom she will play in Japan.
