Post by Ye Olde Dawg on Nov 8, 2006 5:08:04 GMT -5
I got to thinking: if we were to put together the best possible team out of all Pac-10 players, who would be on it? This is a different exercise from putting together an all-conference team because it isn't as simple as picking the six or seven most talented players. This is about picking players that would fill all the roles on a team including any substitutions needed to go through a full rotation.
OH (left side): Christal Morrison and Cynthia Barboza come to mind immediately; I'll go with them. Kaczor has more kills/game, but she has been either shut down or very off her game for a couple of matches this year. I'm going with two very reliable left-side hitters who can also be effective in the back row.
Setter: Some would choose Nellie Spicer, but I'm going with Courtney Thompson for just plain bottom line effectiveness. Either would be a good choice. Thompson is a full assist per game ahead of any other setter in the country, but when you add in Spicer's 1.05 K/G (think of it as choosing to set herself), she's nearly a match for Thompson.
MB: Nana Meriwether (of course) and Foluke Anradewo. There are middles in the conference who block better than Foluke and there are other middles who hit as well, but the only one who does both is Nana. So Foluke and Nana it is.
At this point I noticed that so far the only player whose team doesn't use swing blocking is Nana. I think she can adapt, so let's use swing blocking.
Libero: Debora Sielhamer. 'Nuff said.
I have questions about:
RS/Opposite. There are plenty of qualified outside hitters, but I don't know the ones who play right side. I could just pick someone, but I'd rather learn who other VTers like on the right.
DS. First of all, does the team need one? Morrison and Barboza both play all around already and have good back row skills. If we can find a RS who does the same, we may be set. If we can't -- how about Jordan Smith? Swoboda? Donahue? Miyashiro?
Serving specialist. I know the libero serves for Nana, but doesn't Foluke currently serve for herself? Even if we don't need someone to serve regularly at that position in the rotation, it would be good to have someone in the lineup who can give the other team serves that they just aren't prepared for. Jill Collymore of Washington comes to mind, but I know I'm biased. Again, who do you like?
Even if the positions aren't all filled in, I'd sure like to see a team with this kind of talent play. The offensive threats alone would be scary. Add in solid blocking and I believe very good back row play and passing, and I think we have a complete team here.
Update: I'm broadening the topic because we're getting some participation from other conferences.
OH (left side): Christal Morrison and Cynthia Barboza come to mind immediately; I'll go with them. Kaczor has more kills/game, but she has been either shut down or very off her game for a couple of matches this year. I'm going with two very reliable left-side hitters who can also be effective in the back row.
Setter: Some would choose Nellie Spicer, but I'm going with Courtney Thompson for just plain bottom line effectiveness. Either would be a good choice. Thompson is a full assist per game ahead of any other setter in the country, but when you add in Spicer's 1.05 K/G (think of it as choosing to set herself), she's nearly a match for Thompson.
MB: Nana Meriwether (of course) and Foluke Anradewo. There are middles in the conference who block better than Foluke and there are other middles who hit as well, but the only one who does both is Nana. So Foluke and Nana it is.
At this point I noticed that so far the only player whose team doesn't use swing blocking is Nana. I think she can adapt, so let's use swing blocking.
Libero: Debora Sielhamer. 'Nuff said.
I have questions about:
RS/Opposite. There are plenty of qualified outside hitters, but I don't know the ones who play right side. I could just pick someone, but I'd rather learn who other VTers like on the right.
DS. First of all, does the team need one? Morrison and Barboza both play all around already and have good back row skills. If we can find a RS who does the same, we may be set. If we can't -- how about Jordan Smith? Swoboda? Donahue? Miyashiro?
Serving specialist. I know the libero serves for Nana, but doesn't Foluke currently serve for herself? Even if we don't need someone to serve regularly at that position in the rotation, it would be good to have someone in the lineup who can give the other team serves that they just aren't prepared for. Jill Collymore of Washington comes to mind, but I know I'm biased. Again, who do you like?
Even if the positions aren't all filled in, I'd sure like to see a team with this kind of talent play. The offensive threats alone would be scary. Add in solid blocking and I believe very good back row play and passing, and I think we have a complete team here.
Update: I'm broadening the topic because we're getting some participation from other conferences.