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Post by network155 on Oct 1, 2007 23:38:03 GMT -5
I don't really get Therese Crawford's return. She's been good to the US in the past but damn she old. Actually, Therese Crawford is in her prime. Robyn Ah Mow Santos graduated before her. Crawford's a good all-around player!!
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Post by Nutter on Oct 1, 2007 23:53:42 GMT -5
Does anyone know if Richards even has international experience. I know Crawford at least has that. Yup, she does. She played with the Senior National Team in some competitions during the Summer of 2005, I believe. From the Stanford website: National Competition: A member of the United States team that competed at the 2005 World Grand Prix • A member of USA Volleyball's A2 program in 2003 • 2000 captain of the Youth National Team • Traveled to Switzerland with the National Team in `00 • Member of Junior National Team in 2001-02. Also checked the Player stats for the 2005 Grand Prix and Kristin was the US' best receiver during the Preliminary Round. USA didn't make the final round and finished 8th.
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Post by MarsH on Oct 2, 2007 0:00:48 GMT -5
How long was Sykora's lay-off anyway and did she play at all --- even recreationallY? Just wondered. I think her last professional indoor season was with Spanish club Hotel Cantur (2005-2006 season). Someone correct me if I'm wrong. She assisted in an indoor volleyball camp in 2006 and played a handful of beach volleyball tournaments (CBVA, AA tournies) that summer.
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Post by sideoutnow on Oct 2, 2007 0:18:20 GMT -5
Nutter, when I mentioned "international" experience, for clarification, I mean "playing for a professional team" in Europe. Murina might have a better idea of Richards' professional career. There is an added dimension of experience when playing "for and with" international players professionally versus playing for the US against "international" teams. Nutter, even what you listed above as Richard's "international" experience is not enough to compete in the Olympics representing the U.S. at such an important position.
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Post by sideoutnow on Oct 2, 2007 0:19:00 GMT -5
Yes, Therese Crawford is much more experienced than Richards, having been a professional for many years.
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Post by kolohekeiki on Oct 2, 2007 0:33:03 GMT -5
I have to agree Therese Crawford improved after college. She was good in college, but not great. I would have to say she fell off her last year in college. She had a great sophomore and junior year, but wasn't that effective her senior campaign.
I would love to see her play now to see how much she has improved.
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Post by Nutter on Oct 2, 2007 1:28:20 GMT -5
Nutter, when I mentioned "international" experience, for clarification, I mean "playing for a professional team" in Europe. Murina might have a better idea of Richards' professional career. There is an added dimension of experience when playing "for and with" international players professionally versus playing for the US against "international" teams. Nutter, even what you listed above as Richard's "international" experience is not enough to compete in the Olympics representing the U.S. at such an important position. That's actually just info I pulled up. In any case, I don't believe she played in Europe or I'd at least have heard about it. There was mention of surgery on her knees(s) after she finished her NCAA eligibility. Don't know if that happened. Anyone know if she played in Puerto Rico?
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Post by Tiruray2004 on Oct 2, 2007 1:50:32 GMT -5
Yes, Therese Crawford is much more experienced than Richards, having been a professional for many years. Yes Crawford has the "international" experience but she has been very inconsistent when she played for the US team under Lang Ping that she had to be yanked most of the time.
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Post by roofed! on Oct 2, 2007 2:00:55 GMT -5
I think the one thing that may have worked against Candance Lee was that she never ventured outside of the USAV system, meaning I don't think she played in any of the European pro leagues which allow the players to do some travel (instead of being stucked most of the time in Colorado Springs), high level competition (instead of just scrimmages) and earning pretty good $$ (I don't suppose USAV pays that well for trainees in the offseasons). Also, playing in other foreign leagues and against other club teams would allow her to pick up some tips from the other top coaches and players, to improve on her game.
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Post by Murina on Oct 2, 2007 2:23:39 GMT -5
Nutter, when I mentioned "international" experience, for clarification, I mean "playing for a professional team" in Europe. Murina might have a better idea of Richards' professional career. There is an added dimension of experience when playing "for and with" international players professionally versus playing for the US against "international" teams. Nutter, even what you listed above as Richard's "international" experience is not enough to compete in the Olympics representing the U.S. at such an important position. I trust Nutter on these questions, both USAV and club. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I'm sure Richards hasn't played in Europe, and I don't think she has played in Puerto Rico either. I'm not sure this disqualifies her as a potential member of a World Cup or Olympic team. I doubt anyone is expecting Richards to make the World Cup or Olympic team (although if she is the best player then she will). This seems like positioning herself to rehab well and potentially get in the mix for a job in Puerto Rico or Europe in the mid-season transfer period. If she can do that and be successful, then maybe playing for the NT in 2009 and beyond may become a serious possibility.
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Post by bownlovingfreak on Oct 2, 2007 5:40:22 GMT -5
I always found Richards to be a really quick hitter when the sets were right. She could be pretty powerful on the international level if healthy.
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Post by Keystonekid on Oct 2, 2007 7:25:23 GMT -5
Can't see how Richards can help them at all. Nice player for sure, but not an international player.
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Post by VolleyTX on Oct 2, 2007 8:18:51 GMT -5
Agree with another poster.... Crawford has not played well for Team USA under Lang Ping. She has only seen limited playing time... when there were very few good choices at Outside hitter. Her biggest weakness is passing.
Glad to see Richard back in the game. I don't know what her potential is.... since she has been playing on bad knees for quite a while. If she is healthy, I can see her as a Piccinini (Italy) type of player.... all around good player with a good understanding of the game... no real weakness... not physically imposing... but effective.
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Post by cougvb on Oct 2, 2007 9:01:26 GMT -5
I spoke to Kristin's mother probably six months ago. At that time she was still rehabbing, but hoping to train with the National Team. I told her mom I thought she would be a great libero and she said that was her plan because she didn't know if her knees would hold up-not much jumping involved at the libero position. Again, that was 6 months ago. Don't know if anything has changed. IMO, libero is her best chance.
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Post by PukaPants on Oct 2, 2007 11:20:50 GMT -5
I agree about the libero position. She is not an OH of international caliber and probably will never be with her knee problems. She would make an excellent libero.
Let's just get this out of they way since some of us are delusional about this particular aspect of college volleyball:
SUCCESS AT A COLLEGE LEVEL DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
Thank you!
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