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Post by redbeard2008 on Aug 7, 2012 18:46:52 GMT -5
If Berg can't come back, what a tough spot for Thompson to step in. Lose, and she'll likely be blamed; win, and she probably won't get the credit. She's pretty tough, though - ended the match with a bloody nose, and a huge smile on her face. McCutcheon, after the Dominican match, said he was "very happy" for Thompson and that she "played great," in what should probably be construed as a strong vote of confidence. See: www.fivb.org/viewPressRelease.asp?No=36434&Language=en
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Post by Sbilo on Aug 7, 2012 19:02:17 GMT -5
I have always admired CT since her collegiate days in UW. Tough kid, awesome athlete. She may not be as polished or as experienced as Berg, but she is a capable back-up and can handle the pressure very well. Go Court! GO USA!
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Post by sevb on Aug 7, 2012 19:06:03 GMT -5
She did an outstanding job today - if called on there can be little doubt that she will do all that she can for the athletes she will be competing with!
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Post by Reach on Aug 7, 2012 19:12:03 GMT -5
Court will be fine as long as team USA passes. I like the way she's setting the middles. The will really help open up things. Now teams have to rethink their strategy, maybe.
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Post by vbtraveler on Aug 7, 2012 19:29:11 GMT -5
@reach I think that is a good point, that teams may question their plan a bit with CT setting instead of Berg. I am sure that the other teams have studied the tendencies of Berg a lot more than CT in preparation for these games. No matter who is on the court, I believe this team will rally together.
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Post by baywatcher on Aug 7, 2012 19:34:46 GMT -5
One positive would be there can't be a lot of tape around of Thompson with the first team. Hugh knew what he was doing with no photography at those public scrimmages.
Korean plan must be same; Kim over Berg, Kim over Thompson. You can see various schemes when Berg doesn't even block front row; slides back and MB over with OH. Have to wonder if Thompson has practiced that much.
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Post by stillcrazy on Aug 7, 2012 20:39:53 GMT -5
...Have to wonder if Thompson has practiced that much. I'd bet everything they've used in matches has been practiced. Thompson setting, Tom setting when Tayibba comes in to block, etc. I can't imagine Hugh not preparing for every possibility.
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Post by baywatcher on Aug 7, 2012 20:47:44 GMT -5
I just mean specialty tactics, like not blocking front row. Just a matter of reps on something that won't get used much anyway. Thompson will do fine if she has to, and the most important thing is, she thinks so too.
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Post by redbeard2008 on Aug 7, 2012 22:48:01 GMT -5
McCutcheon has certainly given her a big vote of confidence. Lots of pressure to perform, no doubt, but I think she's going to be fine, as well.
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Post by PukaPants on Aug 7, 2012 23:15:35 GMT -5
I love that we finally see more sets to the middle! I have a complete vote of confidence in Thompson.
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Post by UCDVolley on Aug 8, 2012 0:21:20 GMT -5
My only wish is that she needs to set Hooker more often. During the match against DOM, I felt like that she was setting the outsides way too much during broken plays, while you could see that Hooker was ready to swing.
On the other hand, I agree with the others that she is giving more sets to the middle.
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Post by bill on Aug 8, 2012 13:27:30 GMT -5
She is NOT ready for prime time at this level......she plays we will NOT win Gold!
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 14:52:01 GMT -5
She is NOT ready for prime time at this level......she plays we will NOT win Gold! Just remember that our team has never rec'd a gold medal in womens indoor Volleyball with or without Berg setting. You might want to keep that in mind before you post and condemn an athlete. I've never said this before on this board but you are a real jerk and an idiot
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Post by redbeard2008 on Aug 8, 2012 15:52:21 GMT -5
I've never said this before on this bored but you are a troll.
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Post by jasonr on Aug 8, 2012 16:01:00 GMT -5
She is NOT ready for prime time at this level......she plays we will NOT win Gold! I know you're a troll, but I'd still like to hear the shoddy reasoning behind that assertion. How many setters have ever won an Olympic gold? What's the appropriate experience to win? A grand prix, world championship, etc.? No one really knows until they do it. You either step up or you don't. I have full confidence in CT. She's talented and as mentally tough as any setter I've seen. There's no reason to assume she'll crack under pressure any more than other first time Olympians on the squad.
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