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Post by pogoball on Jul 28, 2014 22:19:41 GMT -5
I was disappointed by Canada’s showing in Peru. They did not seem to be able to receive serve and pass well enough at this level to get the offence going, and an offence which, at that, is missing inarguably the two best front row players Canada has ever produced in S. Pavan and S. Gordon. While I know the team is quite young and needs more experience at the international level, I had hoped for a better result. It seems to me that for Canada to be competitive internationally it needs to field its best players—not just its best available players—and I am not sure if this roster meets that criterion. T. Love, who enjoyed a good career in the NCAA, including a national championship, sees a lot of time on the bench for Team Canada. I know she has played one year in Poland, but I am speculating that perhaps her passing is not yet what is required at the international level. J. Cross, who also had a good career in the NCAA, is the youngest player on the national team and hasn’t yet been named to a Grand Prix roster. I also really liked what A. Sawatsky accomplished as a setter at TAMU, but she is not on the national team radar, or perhaps the national team is not on her radar. And a perusal of Canadians on recent NCAA rosters shows a lot of middles and outside hitters, and few setters, all-round, or defensive players, which seems to be an issue for Team Canada. One overall thought I have is that the specialization in NCAA volleyball might not be serving some of these players well in transitioning to the different demands of the international game. I would be interested in any thoughts Team Canada fans—if there are any out there—have about the current team. A couple years ago, some Canadian fans discussed how the National program wasn't very flexible with pro players and their schedules, which is why some of the best players didn't participate. Is this still an issue? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 6:13:49 GMT -5
I was disappointed by Canada’s showing in Peru. They did not seem to be able to receive serve and pass well enough at this level to get the offence going, and an offence which, at that, is missing inarguably the two best front row players Canada has ever produced in S. Pavan and S. Gordon. While I know the team is quite young and needs more experience at the international level, I had hoped for a better result. It seems to me that for Canada to be competitive internationally it needs to field its best players—not just its best available players—and I am not sure if this roster meets that criterion. T. Love, who enjoyed a good career in the NCAA, including a national championship, sees a lot of time on the bench for Team Canada. I know she has played one year in Poland, but I am speculating that perhaps her passing is not yet what is required at the international level. J. Cross, who also had a good career in the NCAA, is the youngest player on the national team and hasn’t yet been named to a Grand Prix roster. I also really liked what A. Sawatsky accomplished as a setter at TAMU, but she is not on the national team radar, or perhaps the national team is not on her radar. And a perusal of Canadians on recent NCAA rosters shows a lot of middles and outside hitters, and few setters, all-round, or defensive players, which seems to be an issue for Team Canada. One overall thought I have is that the specialization in NCAA volleyball might not be serving some of these players well in transitioning to the different demands of the international game. I would be interested in any thoughts Team Canada fans—if there are any out there—have about the current team. A couple years ago, some Canadian fans discussed how the National program wasn't very flexible with pro players and their schedules, which is why some of the best players didn't participate. Is this still an issue? No, this doesn't seem to be an issue. Most of the current NT play pro in Europe from October to May, then start up with the NT for the summer. They basically play year-round. However, it is possible there is a bias in favour of CIS athletes, although I don't have any numbers to back that up quantitatively in terms of the proportion of NCAA vs. CIS athletes, or qualitatively in terms of skill level. Of the 20 on the current roster, only 3, I believe, went to the NCAA (Love, Pavan, Cross). All the rest are CIS players. What's curious to me is if there is such a bias, what is the reason? Is it resentment that some of the best players leave Canada for the NCAA instead of staying in Canada and trying to make the CIS even stronger, or is there a perception about the skills of NCAA athletes that they are not well-trained for international play? Whatever the situation, it is not apparent that as of right now the system is working to produce a strong, consistently competitive team. They are young, and in year 2 of the current quad, so there's hope that they are moving in the right direction with a younger team--but not a lot of results to support that conclusion, yet. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 8:01:13 GMT -5
A further thought on this issue. I see that the Russian team has invited Ekaterina Gamova to play at the World Championship. Not that Canada has produced (m)any players of her level, but inviting your best players for one tournament does not appear to be the approach Canada is taking. If you aren't able to commit to a full summer of training with the NT, then it looks like the Canadian NT doesn't want you. This affects NCAA players who may have some summer commitments with their teams, like foreign trips. I understand the approach the NT is taking, but other countries take a different approach to field their best team.
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Jul 29, 2014 9:04:20 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 9:04:20 GMT -5
A further thought on this issue. I see that the Russian team has invited Ekaterina Gamova to play at the World Championship. Not that Canada has produced (m)any players of her level, but inviting your best players for one tournament does not appear to be the approach Canada is taking. If you aren't able to commit to a full summer of training with the NT, then it looks like the Canadian NT doesn't want you. This affects NCAA players who may have some summer commitments with their teams, like foreign trips. I understand the approach the NT is taking, but other countries take a different approach to field their best team. Lupo has had enough time to put his stamp on the program. He's an issue IMO. Plus, the team trains at a university in Manitoba where they don't even get first crack at gym time. I'd humbly suggest they need to be supported better along with a stronger staff. I think you'd see more players opt in than opt out. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 9:38:05 GMT -5
A further thought on this issue. I see that the Russian team has invited Ekaterina Gamova to play at the World Championship. Not that Canada has produced (m)any players of her level, but inviting your best players for one tournament does not appear to be the approach Canada is taking. If you aren't able to commit to a full summer of training with the NT, then it looks like the Canadian NT doesn't want you. This affects NCAA players who may have some summer commitments with their teams, like foreign trips. I understand the approach the NT is taking, but other countries take a different approach to field their best team. Lupo has had enough time to put his stamp on the program. He's an issue IMO. Plus, the team trains at a university in Manitoba where they don't even get first crack at gym time. I'd humbly suggest they need to be supported better along with a stronger staff. I think you'd see more players opt in than opt out. I think I read recently that Volleyball Canada will be putting out a tender for a new training centre for 2017 and beyond, and that Richmond BC suggested that the Volleyball Centre of Excellence at the former Olympic Speed Skating Oval would be a good location. This might be an upgrade. |
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Jul 29, 2014 9:57:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 9:57:32 GMT -5
Lupo has had enough time to put his stamp on the program. He's an issue IMO. Plus, the team trains at a university in Manitoba where they don't even get first crack at gym time. I'd humbly suggest they need to be supported better along with a stronger staff. I think you'd see more players opt in than opt out. I think I read recently that Volleyball Canada will be putting out a tender for a new training centre for 2017 and beyond, and that Richmond BC suggested that the Volleyball Centre of Excellence at the former Olympic Speed Skating Oval would be a good location. This might be an upgrade. It most certainly would. I liken the move to the US switch to Anaheim. Huge upgrade in facilities and support from the Provincial governing body. Plus, I'm sure the players would enjoy summering in Vancouver. |
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Jul 29, 2014 10:14:12 GMT -5
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Post by trianglevolleyball on Jul 29, 2014 10:14:12 GMT -5
A couple years ago, some Canadian fans discussed how the National program wasn't very flexible with pro players and their schedules, which is why some of the best players didn't participate. Is this still an issue? No, this doesn't seem to be an issue. Most of the current NT play pro in Europe from October to May, then start up with the NT for the summer. They basically play year-round. However, it is possible there is a bias in favour of CIS athletes, although I don't have any numbers to back that up quantitatively in terms of the proportion of NCAA vs. CIS athletes, or qualitatively in terms of skill level. Of the 20 on the current roster, only 3, I believe, went to the NCAA (Love, Pavan, Cross). All the rest are CIS players. What's curious to me is if there is such a bias, what is the reason? Is it resentment that some of the best players leave Canada for the NCAA instead of staying in Canada and trying to make the CIS even stronger, or is there a perception about the skills of NCAA athletes that they are not well-trained for international play? Whatever the situation, it is not apparent that as of right now the system is working to produce a strong, consistently competitive team. They are young, and in year 2 of the current quad, so there's hope that they are moving in the right direction with a younger team--but not a lot of results to support that conclusion, yet. Nope, Lucille charuk is from university of Houston, Brittany page went to some school in Idaho, Megan cyr was all American at NC State. I don't have time to look up every player, but I'm guessing about half went to the ncaa |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 10:25:34 GMT -5
No, this doesn't seem to be an issue. Most of the current NT play pro in Europe from October to May, then start up with the NT for the summer. They basically play year-round. However, it is possible there is a bias in favour of CIS athletes, although I don't have any numbers to back that up quantitatively in terms of the proportion of NCAA vs. CIS athletes, or qualitatively in terms of skill level. Of the 20 on the current roster, only 3, I believe, went to the NCAA (Love, Pavan, Cross). All the rest are CIS players. What's curious to me is if there is such a bias, what is the reason? Is it resentment that some of the best players leave Canada for the NCAA instead of staying in Canada and trying to make the CIS even stronger, or is there a perception about the skills of NCAA athletes that they are not well-trained for international play? Whatever the situation, it is not apparent that as of right now the system is working to produce a strong, consistently competitive team. They are young, and in year 2 of the current quad, so there's hope that they are moving in the right direction with a younger team--but not a lot of results to support that conclusion, yet. Nope, Lucille charuk is from university of Houston, Brittany page went to some school in Idaho, Megan cyr was all American at NC State. I don't have time to look up every player, but I'm guessing about half went to the ncaa Thanks for the better information! |
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Jul 29, 2014 11:20:45 GMT -5
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Post by queen bey on Jul 29, 2014 11:20:45 GMT -5
Even still, it is happening in the youth divisions as well. I know for a fact that our team ontario program does not consistently put the best players in the province on the roster, because NCAA teams come first for the players. I think the last time the womens side had a JNT was 3 years ago, and even then they didn't compete internationally, just at the USA HP championships.
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Post by nativevolley on Jul 29, 2014 11:24:34 GMT -5
Lupo has had enough time to put his stamp on the program. He's an issue IMO. Plus, the team trains at a university in Manitoba where they don't even get first crack at gym time. I'd humbly suggest they need to be supported better along with a stronger staff. I think you'd see more players opt in than opt out. I think I read recently that Volleyball Canada will be putting out a tender for a new training centre for 2017 and beyond, and that Richmond BC suggested that the Volleyball Centre of Excellence at the former Olympic Speed Skating Oval would be a good location. This might be an upgrade. I do hope Canada relocates to Richmond BC. The former Olympic Oval is an awesome place! I have played in a local tournament there myself. It will definitely be an upgrade!!  |
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Post by pogoball on Jul 29, 2014 18:02:15 GMT -5
A further thought on this issue. I see that the Russian team has invited Ekaterina Gamova to play at the World Championship. Not that Canada has produced (m)any players of her level, but inviting your best players for one tournament does not appear to be the approach Canada is taking. If you aren't able to commit to a full summer of training with the NT, then it looks like the Canadian NT doesn't want you. This affects NCAA players who may have some summer commitments with their teams, like foreign trips. I understand the approach the NT is taking, but other countries take a different approach to field their best team. This is what I was getting at with my question on flexibility. Anyway, why aren't Gordon and Pavan participating? Is it related to being needing to make too much commitment? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 18:11:54 GMT -5
A further thought on this issue. I see that the Russian team has invited Ekaterina Gamova to play at the World Championship. Not that Canada has produced (m)any players of her level, but inviting your best players for one tournament does not appear to be the approach Canada is taking. If you aren't able to commit to a full summer of training with the NT, then it looks like the Canadian NT doesn't want you. This affects NCAA players who may have some summer commitments with their teams, like foreign trips. I understand the approach the NT is taking, but other countries take a different approach to field their best team. This is what I was getting at with my question on flexibility. Anyway, why aren't Gordon and Pavan participating? Is it related to being needing to make too much commitment? I don't know why Gordon is not associated with the NT. Pavan is playing beach in the summer, presumably because she sees it as giving her a better chance to make it to the Rio Olympics. So far, I'd say she is correct. |
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Post by deacondive on Jul 30, 2014 9:22:16 GMT -5
Canada is big and tall, without much finesse. I think with some coaching and support, they could be a top 15 team.
As bad as they are right now, they are probably better than Cuba at the moment.
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Jul 30, 2014 9:25:26 GMT -5
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Post by kro2488 on Jul 30, 2014 9:25:26 GMT -5
What date and time eastern is USA first match ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 10:10:27 GMT -5
Canada is big and tall, without much finesse. I think with some coaching and support, they could be a top 15 team. With the goal of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics, I think they are going to have to do slightly better than that over the next two years. |
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