pecially the guys from Hawai‘i. We have a great connection on the court. Some other guys who don’t have that sort of relationship…it’s impossi- ble to have that kind of communication.” Christenson adds, “When you crawl through the mud together and go through these experi- ences, you know how somebody will respond when things get tough. You don’t even have to ask, or wait, or hesitate in those moments, and you step forward together in unison.” Way before he was vying for Olympic medals, Christenson remembers betting milkshakes with friends at the Outrigger based on who would be named king of the court–friends who, in hind-
connection to Hawai‘i. “To be able to hopefully embody the aloha spirit–to be able to give that taste of Hawai‘i and our wonderful culture to everyone you meet–is such a special thing.” Christenson and Shoji share a deep bond rooted in their shared experiences growing up in the tight-knit volleyball community of Hawai‘i and the Outrigger. Reflecting on this connection, Shoji expresses, “I think anytime that you have the kind of a relationship that Micah and I have where we come from similar backgrounds and have common places at home like Outrigger, it means a lot.” He continues, “I feel really lucky to compete with everyone, es-
may / june 2024 | AMA 19
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator