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Post by Reach on Jun 24, 2012 17:37:29 GMT -5
Just wanted to see what the vtalk community was thinking. It is getting close to roster choosing time...
Outsides: Priddy Anderson Rooney Lotman
Middles Lee Millar Holmes
Opp Stanley Mckinzie
Setters Suxho Thorton
Lib Lambourne
Alternates Salmon Smith Gardner Patak Hansen
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Post by Gorflorg Orshforg on Jun 24, 2012 17:42:40 GMT -5
I'd like to see Patak in the mix, he's from my neck of the woods, and he's on of the three most athletic guys on the roster, but I understand why the coaching staff doesn't want him as anything but an alternate. I think we look good though, we've been getting steadily better, more cohesive etc, if the serving and passing (I guess you could say this about every team though...) hold up we should get at least a top 8 finish and contend for a Bronze. I think the passing will be better than it has been with Priddy back, but Anderson and Lambourne are still two thirds of our serve receive, so I'm still not sold on our ball control right now. I'm optimistic overall though.
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Post by phildunphy on Jun 24, 2012 17:51:37 GMT -5
Just wanted to see what the vtalk community was thinking. It is getting close to roster choosing time... Outsides: Priddy Anderson Rooney Lotman Middles Lee Millar Holmes Opp Stanley Mckinzie Setters Suxho Thorton Lib Lambourne Alternates Salmon Smith Gardner Patak Hansen I agree with list except I would replace Gardner for McKienzie. I guess I see McKienzie as more of a role player/serving specialist and we have that already with Lotman. I guess I just trust Gardner more at this point than McKienzie if we need someone for Stanley. Looks like Rooney played his way onto the team if there was any doubt. I know I was a little puzzled to see Lotman getting the nod as #3 OH in the 1st week of WL. Now it seems impossible to imagine anyone else as the #3 OH other than Rooney and Lotman is nothing more than a serving sub. Also..any chance Speraw can take over full time now...lol! I am only 1/2 kidding too...guy just oozes confidence and his teams feed off of it big time.
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Post by setterdump on Jun 24, 2012 21:38:18 GMT -5
What about David Smith as the 3rd MB over Millar? Smith got a lot of playing time in the last 2 World League legs (initially I wondered if this had to do with his former NCAA coach Speraw taking over), but he put up very admirable stats. He has really come on strong lately similar to Harmotto on the women's side. Plus, if he were to make the Olympic team, it would be great story for NBC considering he is almost deaf.
Millar is past his prime, but does have tons of experience and could play the "Tom Hoff" role on this year's team.
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Post by hateswinter on Jun 26, 2012 20:14:29 GMT -5
My vote is for McKienzie.
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Post by diggger33 on Jun 27, 2012 12:10:01 GMT -5
Why kid yourself? If Stanley goes down, doesn't really matter if it's Gardner, McKienzie or Patak.... We are screwed.
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Post by Gorflorg Orshforg on Jun 27, 2012 12:55:11 GMT -5
That may be true, but Patak has a ton of potential. Why not give him a shot? He should at least have been given a chance against Korea or something.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 15:11:31 GMT -5
I know its been against lesser competition but I think the last couple of weeks have proven that some of these young guys can play when given the chance. Rooney and Smith have both played well. I think Rooney, Smith, and Clark (yes I know hes not on the roster) should all be in the mix for starting spots not just roster spots!
S - Suxho, Thornton L - Lambourne M- Holmes, Smith, Lee RS - Stanley, Clark OH - Anderson, Rooney, Priddy, Lotman
For what its worth I'd be using the double sub with Thornton/Clark a lot more. Gives Stanley a rest, re-focus Suxho, lefty changeup with Clark, Thornton sets Smith well and could use Anderson with the biq. Would play to all their strengths plus be a chemistry boost. Oh hell may as well have Speraw take over too and go full Anteater mode lol
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Post by Gorflorg Orshforg on Jun 27, 2012 15:43:03 GMT -5
I just don't get all the enthusiasm for Clark. What has he shown that makes you think he's a next level player? Especially right out of college. If Murphy Troy wasn't ready last year, why is Clark ready this year? Other than the fact that he went to UC Irvine.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 18:40:31 GMT -5
Do I think he's ready to be the full time starter in the Olympic games? Most likely no. But I do think he's ready to be the heir apparent, serving sub, change up? Yes for sure. I believe him to be mature and composed as a player. Plus he's a winner. I believe playing for Speraw this year (especially when you consider all the mental training they did) he's the perfect choice. The other three options (four if you want to include Troy) are all flawed as well. I just think he's the best of the bunch.
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beachdude
Junior
The Volleyball Made Me Do it!
Posts: 423
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Post by beachdude on Jun 27, 2012 19:40:27 GMT -5
The key to the US finish is Stanley. Priddy and Anderson are money. But the job of the opposite is to hit the bad sets and put the ball away from any place on the floor. I have my doubts after watching him in Long Beach, but it could have been a bad night. David Lee is a monster. He will block his share of balls, but the OHs and Opp win matches and medals for you. One thing I am puzzled about is the "family issues" of Knipe. Where is he? I think Speraw might do a good job of filling in for him and might be the catalyst to bring this team around. McKenzie might be a coaches pick, but if you have to rely on Gardner, Pitak, Lottman, Clark, it is a 7th place finish for the US men.
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Post by Gorflorg Orshforg on Jun 27, 2012 20:10:21 GMT -5
Do I think he's ready to be the full time starter in the Olympic games? Most likely no. But I do think he's ready to be the heir apparent, serving sub, change up? Yes for sure. I believe him to be mature and composed as a player. Plus he's a winner. I believe playing for Speraw this year (especially when you consider all the mental training they did) he's the perfect choice. The other three options (four if you want to include Troy) are all flawed as well. I just think he's the best of the bunch. Ok, fair reasoning. I apologize for thinking you were just a fanboy. That being said I don't think he's the future for Team USA, and certainly not the heir apparent. He's a very good player, and I'm sure he'll be a part of the program going forward, but I don't think he's the answer at opposite for the next ten years or anything.
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Post by Gorflorg Orshforg on Jun 27, 2012 20:10:42 GMT -5
The key to the US finish is Stanley. Priddy and Anderson are money. But the job of the opposite is to hit the bad sets and put the ball away from any place on the floor. I have my doubts after watching him in Long Beach, but it could have been a bad night. David Lee is a monster. He will block his share of balls, but the OHs and Opp win matches and medals for you. One thing I am puzzled about is the "family issues" of Knipe. Where is he? I think Speraw might do a good job of filling in for him and might be the catalyst to bring this team around. McKenzie might be a coaches pick, but if you have to rely on Gardner, Pitak, Lottman, Clark, it is a 7th place finish for the US men. Spot on.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 21:23:08 GMT -5
Do I think he's ready to be the full time starter in the Olympic games? Most likely no. But I do think he's ready to be the heir apparent, serving sub, change up? Yes for sure. I believe him to be mature and composed as a player. Plus he's a winner. I believe playing for Speraw this year (especially when you consider all the mental training they did) he's the perfect choice. The other three options (four if you want to include Troy) are all flawed as well. I just think he's the best of the bunch. Ok, fair reasoning. I apologize for thinking you were just a fanboy. That being said I don't think he's the future for Team USA, and certainly not the heir apparent. He's a very good player, and I'm sure he'll be a part of the program going forward, but I don't think he's the answer at opposite for the next ten years or anything. There was a greasy lefty for Brazil a few years back who seemed to get things done in an important match or two?? I'm of the opinion there is a lot more that goes into being a successful international player than just physical talent (unless you are a beast like Stanley was). I'd also add gold medal teams are a sum of the parts. With that in mind a player LIKE Clark has value because he has a lot more in the tool box than just a huge arm.
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beachdude
Junior
The Volleyball Made Me Do it!
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Post by beachdude on Jun 27, 2012 22:14:42 GMT -5
Folks, get off of the Clark and any other college player band wagon. It is one thing to shine in the MPSF and quite another to bring it against 3 Russian blockers with their tits over the net. Clark is a good player, he could be a great player for team US, but not yet.
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