Best International Potential

[highflyer]

Of the players that are currently playing in the NCAA, which players have it to be stars at the international level? Let's not get off track or be homers and name players that we like or players that play for our favorite team.

Which players really have it to make an impact?

[StuffU]

Foluke Akinradewo
Destinee Hooker

Beach - Ashley Engle / Cynthia Barboza

[ohcanada]

Pavan. Will be a better international player than a collegian. Her game is more suited to international play than college play.

[standingroomonly1]

ohcanada said:

Pavan. Will be a better international player than a collegian. Her game is more suited to international play than college play.

How about Sarah Pavan and Stacey Gordon together on the beach?

[fingrbustr]

Pavan (as is) and Hooker (if she can learn EVERYTHING). Engle could be the ultimate single rotation blocking sub (who can actually set). JLarson, if she can get right in the mind. Klineman, if she can learn to pass and hit with power.

[roofed!]

I don't follow Texas but did Destinee Hooker pass, as in all 6 rotations (and not just 1 rotation and hidden on others)?

I understand that she is a late starter in vball, and my guess is that if a player don't learn passing during the junior days, then it is more difficult to master passing skills in college.

I've just checked the stats on the Texas vball website and from just a glance, was Hooker subbed out of the back row for a DS?

If Hooker is all hops and hitting prowess without any passing ability, we already have that in Nnamani and Haneef.

[plm]

roofed said:

I don't follow Texas but does Destinee Hooker pass, as in all 6 rotations (and not just 1 rotation and hidden on others)?

I understand that she is a late starter in vball, and my guess is that if a player learn passing during the junior days, then it is more difficult to master passing skills in college.

I've just checked the stats on the Texas vball website and from just a glance, is Hooker subbed out of the back row for a DS?

If Hooker is all hops and hitting prowess without any passing ability, we already have that in Nnamani and Haneef.

You're right. Hooker didn't play back row except for the few times she was allowed to serve but then she was subbed out right away. Passing is definitely a big weakness right now. She should improve some at it but at this time I can't see her ever being a primary passer. As you say this is a skill that needs to be developed at a young age.

[saywho]

Foluke Akinradewo has all the tools to be a top international players. Her blocking will improve over time, but the rest of her game is great. She improves everyday and has shown that not only can she be an offensive weapon, but she also has the tools to play backrow if that were ever needed.

[itarusvolei]

highflyer said:

Of the players that are currently playing in the NCAA, which players have it to be stars at the international level? Let's not get off track or be homers and name players that we like or players that play for our favorite team.

Which players really have it to make an impact?

I can only fairly make selections based on physical potential as I do not know of them as much from mental strength.

Kelly Murphy
Whitney Dosty
Destinee Hooker
Alexis Crimes
Julianna Faucette
Tarah Murrey
Foluke Akinradewo
Alex Klineman??? I still think will be weak in future
If she could have better training and pass a high percentage Chrystal Morrison I think would make good libero.

[Orpheus]

saywho said:

Foluke Akinradewo has all the tools to be a top international players. Her blocking will improve over time, but the rest of her game is great. She improves everyday and has shown that not only can she be an offensive weapon, but she also has the tools to play backrow if that were ever needed.

I concur, and I also feel this statement applies to Destinee Hooker as well. I realize she had a limited role last season in the backrow, but I don't think she's incapable of holding her own. She played on this top Alamo team in juniors at the 16 open level and played all around as a primary receiver OH. Yes, it's only juniors but at 16 open, it starts to get more challenging in the ball control dept and I thought Destinee excelled there as well the few times I was able to see her team play. Though Destinee did not finish the season due to some conflicts with other sports, that team went on to win USAV's 16 open crown. The fact that she was a starting outside who was a primary passer on a team that was successful enough to win it all says a little bit about her potential at the very least. I think her success in every sport she plays in shows a great deal about her focus as an athlete, a focus that will see her take on more responsibilities on the court in the backrow soon enough. No, I'm not a relative, just a fan/borderline homer.

[brybry2]

logonna said:

saywho said:

Foluke Akinradewo has all the tools to be a top international players. Her blocking will improve over time, but the rest of her game is great. She improves everyday and has shown that not only can she be an offensive weapon, but she also has the tools to play backrow if that were ever needed.

I concur, and I also feel this statement applies to Destinee Hooker as well. I realize she had a limited role last season in the backrow, but I don't think she's incapable of holding her own. She played on this top Alamo team in juniors at the 16 open level and played all around as a primary receiver OH. Yes, it's only juniors but at 16 open, it starts to get more challenging in the ball control dept and I thought Destinee excelled there as well the few times I was able to see her team play. Though Destinee did not finish the season due to some conflicts with other sports, that team went on to win USAV's 16 open crown. The fact that she was a starting outside who was a primary passer on a team that was successful enough to win it all says a little bit about her potential at the very least. I think her success in every sport she plays in shows a great deal about her focus as an athlete, a focus that will see her take on more responsibilities on the court in the backrow soon enough. No, I'm not a relative, just a fan/borderline homer.

Hmm. I agree that Foluke and Destinee probably have the best potential for the international level along w/ Larson (and excluding Pavan because that's like a big duh she's good).
It's a little bit sad that Hooker might not reach her full potential. I think Elliot is a good coach but I don't really see him as the type to polish up a raw player. Shoji or Brian G would have been much better.
Kinda similar with Foluke. Dunning is a great coach but he doesn't really transform players.

[Tiruray2004]

If Hooker has world-class potential in the high jump, she should just stick with it and abandon volleyball.

[Tiruray2004]

What about Nicole Fawcett?

[mhjets]

What about for setters? We really don't have a capable backup/setter of the future training with the national team at the moment. Why didn't Spicer try out? I think that she has the most potential of the setters in college. What about Holloway? She set the Youth and Jr national team for a few years. I haven't seen Murphy play yet, but could she be in the mix?

[plm]

logonna said:

saywho said:

Foluke Akinradewo has all the tools to be a top international players. Her blocking will improve over time, but the rest of her game is great. She improves everyday and has shown that not only can she be an offensive weapon, but she also has the tools to play backrow if that were ever needed.

I concur, and I also feel this statement applies to Destinee Hooker as well. I realize she had a limited role last season in the backrow, but I don't think she's incapable of holding her own. She played on this top Alamo team in juniors at the 16 open level and played all around as a primary receiver OH. Yes, it's only juniors but at 16 open, it starts to get more challenging in the ball control dept and I thought Destinee excelled there as well the few times I was able to see her team play. Though Destinee did not finish the season due to some conflicts with other sports, that team went on to win USAV's 16 open crown. The fact that she was a starting outside who was a primary passer on a team that was successful enough to win it all says a little bit about her potential at the very least. I think her success in every sport she plays in shows a great deal about her focus as an athlete, a focus that will see her take on more responsibilities on the court in the backrow soon enough. No, I'm not a relative, just a fan/borderline homer.

The skill level of the 16's teams are far below what skill level it takes in college to pass the ball.

With what little bit I saw of Hooker both in person & on TV her passing ability is far below that of a Larson, Barbosa, or even
Pavan. If Hooker's passing was even close to Pavan she would be playing all the way around even last year so as to take advantage of her hitting.