World Championship Thread

[bownlovingfreak]

How is there not one for this competition?

Couple of questions, because the International game amuses me too.


Where is Poland and South Korea?

Any thoughts on the fall of Cuban volleyball? Disappointing finish for the ladies.

What are your impressions on Belgian volleyball? They've seemed to come from nowhere, right? I believe they knocked out Poland from even being here.

Aside from the USA team, are any of these girls former NCAA players? I know Mia Jerkov (Cal/CRO), Alexandra Oquendo (Georgia/PUR), Debora Seilhamer (USC/PUR), Dana Cranston (Colorado St/CAN), Tabi Love (UCLA/Minnesota/CAN), Aury Cruz (Florida/PUR)


Feel free to add any other thoughts, comments, insights.

[deacondive]

Poland is down right now and the top players are not with the WNT. They could be better, but they have issues.

South Korea is hosting the Asian games and that is what they decided to focus on. Thailand sent their A team to the Asian Games as well.

Cuba's best players have defected. Even if they still had their best players, they probably wouldn't win a medal.

Belgium's rise can be tied to Lise Van Hecke. She is their team and will be for years to come. They will be a force if she can get help.

[dunninla]

There is a thread above yours with 25 pages of replies on the USA/Russia matchup in the FIVB Women's Indoor World Championships, and a lot of comments about other teams mixed in. But you're right, there should be another thread for every other matchup.

[trojansc]

Dominican Republic goes 5-0 in Group A, defeating Italy,.. But Italy lands on top of the group in points despite going 4-1, because the Dominicans played 3 5-set matches...

[baywatcher]

US v Russia was really the first arch of round 2. Any hope Kazahkstan or Holland can beat Serbia? Too much to hope for Brazil who will qualify, regardless.

[Edmond]

Thailand's A team lost to China's B team in the Asian games semifinal yesterday. Korea didn't qualify for the WC but I think they would send their B team to the WC if they did.

[ironhammer]

Sept 30, 2014 22:38:11 GMT -5 Edmond said:

Thailand's A team lost to China's B team in the Asian games semifinal yesterday. Korea didn't qualify for the WC but I think they would send their B team to the WC if they did.

Speaking of China, seems almost like their B team is better than their A team. I've watched some of their matches during the Asian Games, and their reception, setting and spikes seem, at first glance, better than the A team!  Of course, I don't seriously think that is the case, since China's B team were facing lesser opponents than their A team and hence you can't really compare all that well.

That being said, I think China's A team (the one coached by Lang Ping) is quite unstable. They can play really great one minute and then play as if they were high school kids the very next. Yeah, all teams can become a little inconsistent from time-to-time, but China seems excessively unstable. Their reception also needs to improve a lot. Another problem is that they tend to "choke" during crucial points, in many cases they were leading the game (sometimes by a wide margin) only to lose it when they choke in the last few points.  This reflects insufficient mental toughness and experience. That being said, they do show some flashes of promise and under the expert coaching of Lang, have been playing not that bad at the World Championship so far. The next round they will face tougher opponents and that is when the real test begins. 

[trojansc]

Sept 30, 2014 16:34:36 GMT -5 deacondive said:

Belgium's rise can be tied to Lise Van Hecke. She is their team and will be for years to come. They will be a force if she can get help.

Watching Van Hecke right now against the Dominican Republic.

It's De La Cruz & Castillo vs. Van Hecke ...

Van Hecke is very good.. 20 kills to De La Cruz 17... Belgium just forced a 4th set..

[c4ndlelight]

The reason Belgium isn't as good this year is because they're lefts aren't producing. Leys and Rousseaux were definite support for Van Hecke last year. Leys needs to spend some time on the treadmill and I think Rousseaux is just a headcase. But, except for their setter the entire starting lineup is 21-24 years old. Definitely will be a huge threat for the next quad and a half.

[trojansc]

Oct 1, 2014 11:35:14 GMT -5 c4ndlelight said:

The reason Belgium isn't as good this year is because they're lefts aren't producing. Leys and Rousseaux were definite support for Van Hecke last year. Leys needs to spend some time on the treadmill and I think Rousseaux is just a headcase. But, except for their setter the entire starting lineup is 21-24 years old. Definitely will be a huge threat for the next quad and a half.

Rousseaux is actually playing decent right now, she's second in kills with 10. Van Hecke has 24. The next Highest Belgium player is 3 kills. Yikes

[c4ndlelight]

Oct 1, 2014 11:46:40 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Oct 1, 2014 11:35:14 GMT -5 c4ndlelight said:

The reason Belgium isn't as good this year is because they're lefts aren't producing. Leys and Rousseaux were definite support for Van Hecke last year. Leys needs to spend some time on the treadmill and I think Rousseaux is just a headcase. But, except for their setter the entire starting lineup is 21-24 years old. Definitely will be a huge threat for the next quad and a half.

Rousseaux is actually playing decent right now, she's second in kills with 10. Van Hecke has 24. The next Highest Belgium player is 3 kills. Yikes

Also, their M1 Aelbrecht is injured for the tournament, so that's another problem.

[trojansc]

Oct 1, 2014 11:47:23 GMT -5 c4ndlelight said:

Oct 1, 2014 11:46:40 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Rousseaux is actually playing decent right now, she's second in kills with 10. Van Hecke has 24. The next Highest Belgium player is 3 kills. Yikes

Also, their M1 Aelbrecht is injured for the tournament, so that's another problem.

Sounds like they will be a force in years to come.
All sets to Van Hecke now.. Belgium up 16-14 in the 4th set trying to force the Dominicans into their fourth 5-setter...

Meanwhile... DR's issue is at OH2...

25-22 Belgium forces a 5th set..

Castillo dug an absolute BOMB from Van Hecke but can't terminate of the sky high dig.. 27 kills for Van Hecke & 25 for De La Cruz.

Dominicans have been here before... already defeating Crotia, Germany, and Italy in 5 sets.

[trojansc]

This is a solid match... that was a ridiculous rally at 2-2.. poor Van Hecke's shoulder is going to fall off.. She looks gassed and Castillo is digging and covering everything.

[trojansc]

The Dominicans do it again in 5 sets (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 15-6).. Van Hecke carried Belgium through 3 & 4 sets but couldn't seal the deal. De La Cruz takes over offensively and with her serve as she leads all players with 29 kills as the Dominicans move to 6-0 in the World Championships..

Germany vs. China & Italy vs. Azerbaijan start @ 11am Pacific.

Belgium & China swept Azerbaijan already, but Japan was stunned by Azerbaijan in 5 sets..

in the other Pool
Russia v Bulgaria
Kazakhstan v Brazil

[trojansc]

Saturday & Sunday are going to be two really good days to watch if you are a volleyball fan. The top 8 teams in the tournament (4 from each pool) face off against eachother.. And two of those eight won't advance to the next round

Pool E (China 14pts, Italy 13pts, Dominican Republic 11pts, Japan 8 pts)

Saturday
China vs. Dominican Republic 8am PST
Italy vs. Japan 11am PST

Sunday
Dominican Republic vs. Japan 8am PST
China vs. Italy 11am PST

China has already clinched a spot and I think will end up winning group E.

Italy can only be left out by losing both of their matches AND Japan beating the Dominican Republic, and DR beating China. This scenario is unlikely.

Dominican Republic is in an awkward position. They have won all 5 matches in the pool like China, but are in third place because four of those matches went 5 sets. Italy is 4-1. They could be ousted by Japan, but i believe as long as Japan loses to Italy 3-0 or 3-1 because the Dominicans would win the tie break in matches won. All of the scenarios could be avoided by just beating Japan. A 3-0 or 3-1 win over China will put them through as well. What's crazy is if the Dominicans beat China and Japan, there's a chance they still wont finish atop the group with a 7-0 record.

Japan can only qualify with a win over Italy, and beating Dominican Republic. I don't think this will happen.

What would really be a stunner is if DR beats China 3-2, but Japan beats Italy and DR 3-0 or 3-1, the Dominicans would finish in 4th place and miss out with a 6-1 record...

Pool F
USA (15pts)
Brazil (14pts)
Serbia(11pts)
Russia(10pts)

Sat
USA vs. Serbia 8am PST
Russia vs. Brazil 11am PST

Sun
Brazil vs. USA 11am PST
Russia vs. Serbia 8am PST

USA will qualify. The only way they won't is if they lose both their matches 3-0 or 3-1, Russia beats Brazil 3-0/3-1, AND Russia beats Serbia 3-2. Extremely unlikely.

Brazil's situation is slightly more complex. If they win either of their matches they are in. Serbia would have to beat US, Russia would have to beat Brazil 3-1 or 3-0, and Russia would have to beat Serbia 3-2 .. All in all, unlikely.

Serbia will qualify with a win over Russia 3-0/3-1. Otherwise, it will be a toss up.

If Serbia and Russia end up with the same points and Russia beat Serbia head to head, the tie-break gets complicated. Every set is crucial for both squads. If Serbia loses 3-1 to US and loses 3-2 to Russia, and Russia loses 3-1 or 3-0 to brazil, Serbia will win by a sets ratio. Serbia is ahead in total wins and sets ratio

I think China wins pool E and USA wins pool F.
Dominican Republic & Italy advance
Brazil & Serbia advance