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Post by 5280volleyball on Jun 1, 2015 21:42:08 GMT -5
The OH depth chart at the moment from my slanted view: Anderson Sander Jaeschke Priddy Lotman A. Russell Rooney Jablonsky Muagututia Touzinsky Menzel Sunder Lawson Page DeFalco Powell G. Petty Crabb Ciarelli Taylor The beach and retirement may take away some of these guys in the next couple years, but there is some talent. Here are some of the recent rosters we've run out: www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/USA-Teams/Indoor-Volleyball/Men/Athletes-and-RostersSo on the broadcast last night they mentioned that John Speraw said Aaron Russell was the best OH in the gym last summer, and then that is backed up by Russell starting both matches this weekend and the logical conclusion somehow is that he's behind Lotmann? What am I missing? Do you think John Speraw was lying? He's got a pair of matches vs the #10 team in the world at the end of last season and in both matches he starts a kid who has been in the gym for 12 minutes when he has 20 other players to choose from. It LOOKS like Speraw believes this kid is ready. And he went 12-2-19 last night, with 1 fault in 13 passes, while Anderson recorded 4 faults on 25 passes, which is a pretty clear statement of who Iran thought was a better serving target. There are a lot of things that can happen, and we'll know a lot more in a few weeks but early signs are good for Russell. I'm not in the gym, so it's impossible for me to know that Russell has been the best OH in the gym this summer. My logic was based on the errors I saw Russell make in the NCAA's and the track record of the other guys. Speraw has proven that he'll give young guys a chance. He played 4 guys this weekend who were playing college volleyball in May 2014. Smith also started both nights over Lee in the middle. So it's clear...if you play well in the gym, you will see the floor. Russell played very well in both matches this weekend, but Kevin Barnett made a great point: let's not get too excited just yet. Iran is the #10 team in the world, but they are somewhat undersized for an international side and don't block particularly well. I want to see what he does against Russia and Poland the next two weekends. This weekend was a very, very promising start for his international career though.
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Post by memorybankrupt on Jun 2, 2015 0:48:22 GMT -5
So on the broadcast last night they mentioned that John Speraw said Aaron Russell was the best OH in the gym last summer, and then that is backed up by Russell starting both matches this weekend and the logical conclusion somehow is that he's behind Lotmann? What am I missing? Do you think John Speraw was lying? He's got a pair of matches vs the #10 team in the world at the end of last season and in both matches he starts a kid who has been in the gym for 12 minutes when he has 20 other players to choose from. It LOOKS like Speraw believes this kid is ready. And he went 12-2-19 last night, with 1 fault in 13 passes, while Anderson recorded 4 faults on 25 passes, which is a pretty clear statement of who Iran thought was a better serving target. There are a lot of things that can happen, and we'll know a lot more in a few weeks but early signs are good for Russell. I'm not in the gym, so it's impossible for me to know that Russell has been the best OH in the gym this summer. My logic was based on the errors I saw Russell make in the NCAA's and the track record of the other guys. Speraw has proven that he'll give young guys a chance. He played 4 guys this weekend who were playing college volleyball in May 2014. Smith also started both nights over Lee in the middle. So it's clear...if you play well in the gym, you will see the floor. Russell played very well in both matches this weekend, but Kevin Barnett made a great point: let's not get too excited just yet. Iran is the #10 team in the world, but they are somewhat undersized for an international side and don't block particularly well. I want to see what he does against Russia and Poland the next two weekends. This weekend was a very, very promising start for his international career though. I have to admit I've been skeptical of how Russell would adjust to the international game simply based on his serve receive. Time will tell. Offensively, I think he could be a star. Might be similar situation to Sander's where he looks great in college but looks even better internationally because he doesn't have to be a one-man show. Sander carried his Cougar team in several seasons. SImilarly, I think Russell didn't have stars surrounding him. Now Russell has the benefit of not constantly facing double and triple blocks.
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Post by donneyp on Jun 2, 2015 11:04:04 GMT -5
Can we agree that Russell is ahead of Jaeschke and Lotman?
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Post by akbar on Jun 2, 2015 11:12:32 GMT -5
Can we agree that Russell is ahead of Jaeschke and Lotman? Yes. I'm sure some bumps will come along soon though. I would like to see Thomas get some action , if the opportunity presents itself. Even as a serving sub.
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Post by VB48 on Jun 2, 2015 11:25:13 GMT -5
Anderson and Sander are our two top OH's, and Anderson is also our best Opp, so instead of looking for the best Opp, we are looking for the best combination of players to see where Anderson plays. If Russell continues to play well, I think Anderson ends up on the right.
OH - Sander OH - Russell Opp - Anderson
OH - Sander OH - Anderson Opp - Troy
OH - Sander OH - ? Opp - Anderson
OH - Sander OH - Anderson Opp - ?
Priddy obviously did not look good in the scrimmage last month, but is it possible that Priddy makes it all the way back, or is he done?
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Post by Semp12 on Jun 2, 2015 11:51:59 GMT -5
I can't remember any off speed shot the US team had at all that landed, and I watched both matches. I was surprised by the 2-4 roll shot attempts we had that did not even reach the top tape, let alone make it over any blockers hands. The defenders are just too long now that one step and a drive can take you 12 feet and turns it into a free-ball.
I've always been a risk-reward person anyways, rather lose that game on a bad swing then giving away a free ball and letting them pound it in our face.
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Post by kokyu on Jun 2, 2015 12:11:19 GMT -5
Sander had at least one roll shot go down that I remember.
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Post by memorybankrupt on Jun 2, 2015 15:12:45 GMT -5
Can we agree that Russell is ahead of Jaeschke and Lotman? Too soon to tell. We can't be certain of the plans for Jaeschke. If he's not going to redshirt next year, will he seriously be in contention for Rio? Maybe better to give the PT to Russell rather than try to develop both rookies. However, if Jaeschke does plan to take a year off college then I'd really like to see him start soon. I want to see if he can pass well enough to provide some stability in Team USA's serve receive. Lotman - we pretty much know what we got.
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Post by 5280volleyball on Jun 2, 2015 22:52:04 GMT -5
Can we agree that Russell is ahead of Jaeschke and Lotman? Let's see what happens the next two weekends against the Russians and Poland. Lotman's a solid veteran guy who's a good leader and team player. Jaeschke was the mens national POY, and some good points were made earlier. If he's not going to redshirt, is he anything more than a serving sub in Rio? Russell on the other hand is going to play pro ball somewhere next year (maybe Germany with his brother and Graham McIlvaine if they allow 3 Americans) and be in the gym every day. That gives him a leg up for now, but that could change if he goes back to his error prone ways. I like what was said earlier....maybe not having to carry the team and be the man will help him become better. The big issue that I see long term is that Anderson wants to be an OH, not an OPP. For the team, it's better with him there as we can use different passing combinations, improve our floor defense, and run a bigger block. But if he wants to be on the outside, can either Sander or Russell slide to the right? For Anderson to do what he did last year at that level was pretty amazing as the swings, angles, and views of the ball are very different over there.
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Post by akbar on Jun 3, 2015 8:44:01 GMT -5
I often wonder if some posters ever have an original thought of their own to offer. Things that make me go.....hmmmm?
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rva7
Sophomore
Posts: 124
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Post by rva7 on Jun 3, 2015 11:46:50 GMT -5
I often wonder if some posters ever have an original thought of their own to offer. Things that make me go.....hmmmm? Akbar: Did Aaron ever play opposite in USA youth ball? I thought he did at one point. I know that's youth vs senior but still adds to the conversation.
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Post by gooohsah on Jun 3, 2015 11:58:09 GMT -5
Russell used to play middle!
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Post by akbar on Jun 3, 2015 12:15:34 GMT -5
I often wonder if some posters ever have an original thought of their own to offer. Things that make me go.....hmmmm? Akbar: Did Aaron ever play opposite in USA youth ball? I thought he did at one point. I know that's youth vs senior but still adds to the conversation. From what I gather A. Russell was a 6 rotation middle for much of his club career with MVP. Berzins (Olympian) and his Dad I think coached. For the youth USA teams he was always a middle. In his last two years ,maybe 3?,at PSU he switched to the OH position.
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rva7
Sophomore
Posts: 124
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Post by rva7 on Jun 3, 2015 14:02:25 GMT -5
Did he play middle on the junior national team?
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Post by akbar on Jun 4, 2015 7:49:08 GMT -5
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