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Post by volleyguy on Sept 24, 2014 8:23:39 GMT -5
In volleyball, Olympic quads are all about trajectory and ebbs and flows, or whatever metaphor you prefer. But you'd have to be blind to have watched this match and not be concerned about the trajectory. It's too early to write Team USA off, but the clock keeps ticking. Mick Haley was in the same boat in the quad leading up to the Sydney Olympics. He realized he had to change it up, and he did so by getting an entirely new staff and adopting a new philosophy (the moon ball offense which he still loves and admires because it played to the strengths of a taller more physical athlete, which USA could produce). That happened right around the same point in the quad where we are right now (a few months away actually). The question is, does Karch realize he has to do something different (my guess is yes, given the look on his face today), and if so, what kind of changes or alterations, if any, will he make? Precisely. This is exactly what I am worried about. We'll just have to wait and see (and hope) Karch will figure out the right strategy for the team in time. I'm not sure about that. Mick was already an experienced head coach when he joined the National Team, and though he struggled, he had much better management experience and skills than Karch.
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Post by VolleyTX on Sept 24, 2014 8:28:07 GMT -5
I hate the libero at middle back. That is all.
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Post by VolleyTX on Sept 24, 2014 8:52:26 GMT -5
Just watched the first set..... wow, Hildebrand was practically catatonic! I don't remember ever seeing a player that was so completely out of it in every aspect of their game. How many times was she aced? Out of position on defense. Missing digs that were hit right to her. How many times was she blocked? Every attack only cleared the net by and inch or two. Yikes!
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Post by volleytology on Sept 24, 2014 9:00:33 GMT -5
Just watched the first set..... wow, Hildebrand was practically catatonic! I don't remember ever seeing a player that was so completely out of it in every aspect of their game. How many times was she aced? Out of position on defense. Missing digs that were hit right to her. How many times was she blocked? Every attack only cleared the net by and inch or two. Yikes! Agree; based on that abysmal performance alone, I wouldn't play her again. Showed me she simply doesn't want to play and really didn't seem to care that much.
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Post by VolleyTX on Sept 24, 2014 9:05:22 GMT -5
I wouldn't go that far. I don't think it was a matter of not trying or not caring. It appeared that something else was on her mind.
One other thing.... and probably the reason why Nicole is not a top flight opposite.... She needs to have an aggressive attack approach on EVERY play. She has no business tipping or hitting roll shots against a team like Mexico.
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Post by volleytology on Sept 24, 2014 9:09:55 GMT -5
I wouldn't go that far. I don't think it was a matter of not trying or not caring. It appeared that something else was on her mind. One other thing.... and probably the reason why Nicole is not a top flight opposite.... She needs to have an aggressive attack approach on EVERY play. She has no business tipping or hitting roll shots against a team like Mexico. "Something else on her mind" ? Not sure I want a player, who is a veteran and counted on for leadership out there if that's her mindset. Just my opinion
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Post by deacondive on Sept 24, 2014 9:27:50 GMT -5
Karsta Lowe 6'4" lefty opposite for UCLA who is currently leading the country in kills. The whole gym knows where the ball is going and she is still getting it down. Right!!! Since NCAA D-1 schools can't block or dig her, it's certain that Olympic caliber teams can't either. No...but none of the players on the current roster were one woman shows in college. She hits the ball higher and harder than Murphy, but the key will be if she can't adjust to the speed of the international game.
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Post by chisovnik on Sept 24, 2014 9:37:25 GMT -5
Lowe is having a fantastic year but she's still not as good as Murphy. Also, Kim Hill > Kelsey Robinson. That is a matter of opinion. I think Lowe is better. No, it's not.
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Post by chisovnik on Sept 24, 2014 9:37:49 GMT -5
I hate the libero at middle back. That is all. +1000
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Post by SportyBucky on Sept 24, 2014 9:43:49 GMT -5
Right!!! Since NCAA D-1 schools can't block or dig her, it's certain that Olympic caliber teams can't either. I mean, that's a little blown out of proportion. Nobody claimed that. In case you hadn't noticed, the US is lacking depth on the right side right now, and Lowe is one of the great opposites in the pipeline. (Also in case you hadn't noticed, NCAA is the pipeline.) Have you seen Karsta play? I would say she's as good as any of the other recent NCAA grads who are competing in this tournament. Why would it seem so blasphemous to suggest that the NCAA's best senior opposite would have a chance to be on the Olympic team in two years? Tori Dixon and Kelsey Robinson just graduated and are already on a World Championships roster. You don't think Lowe could join them in a year (or at least two?) Hmm. Too hard to say given change in the level of competition between college and international. Not sure she's better than Fawcett (although she looked terrible yesterday) or Murphy or even Klineman. That's solid competition. None are Hooker.
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Post by Seahawks 1972 on Sept 24, 2014 9:45:47 GMT -5
Karch needs to take the honorable way out...hari-kiri Is this a Boo shido read? ;-) love this post...in a funny way, to say the least.
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Post by volleyguy on Sept 24, 2014 9:45:50 GMT -5
That is a matter of opinion. I think Lowe is better. No, it's not. Actually it is. Since Lowe hasn't played with the National Team, who is better can only be a matter of opinion. But Lowe is more physical and has a better arm swing. She could easily be better than Murphy when the opportunity comes..
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Post by deacondive on Sept 24, 2014 9:59:31 GMT -5
I mean, that's a little blown out of proportion. Nobody claimed that. In case you hadn't noticed, the US is lacking depth on the right side right now, and Lowe is one of the great opposites in the pipeline. (Also in case you hadn't noticed, NCAA is the pipeline.) Have you seen Karsta play? I would say she's as good as any of the other recent NCAA grads who are competing in this tournament. Why would it seem so blasphemous to suggest that the NCAA's best senior opposite would have a chance to be on the Olympic team in two years? Tori Dixon and Kelsey Robinson just graduated and are already on a World Championships roster. You don't think Lowe could join them in a year (or at least two?) Hmm. Too hard to say given change in the level of competition between college and international. Not sure she's better than Fawcett (although she looked terrible yesterday) or Murphy or even Klineman. That's solid competition. None are Hooker. Klineman and Fawcett both played on the left in college...neither has looked great internationally on the right.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 10:00:01 GMT -5
I mean, that's a little blown out of proportion. Nobody claimed that. In case you hadn't noticed, the US is lacking depth on the right side right now, and Lowe is one of the great opposites in the pipeline. (Also in case you hadn't noticed, NCAA is the pipeline.) Have you seen Karsta play? I would say she's as good as any of the other recent NCAA grads who are competing in this tournament. Why would it seem so blasphemous to suggest that the NCAA's best senior opposite would have a chance to be on the Olympic team in two years? Tori Dixon and Kelsey Robinson just graduated and are already on a World Championships roster. You don't think Lowe could join them in a year (or at least two?) Hmm. Too hard to say given change in the level of competition between college and international. Not sure she's better than Fawcett (although she looked terrible yesterday) or Murphy or even Klineman. That's solid competition. None are Hooker. It's not too hard to say that there's a possibility she will be good enough in two years. That's what I meant. I'm not saying she WILL be joining them. Just that it IS a possibility she will.
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Post by SportyBucky on Sept 24, 2014 10:26:19 GMT -5
Too hard to say given change in the level of competition between college and international. Not sure she's better than Fawcett (although she looked terrible yesterday) or Murphy or even Klineman. That's solid competition. None are Hooker. Klineman and Fawcett both played on the left in college...neither has looked great internationally on the right. Understood. They're on the right now, which is where mediocre passers belong internationally.
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