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Post by deacondive on Jul 5, 2015 19:48:10 GMT -5
I was secretly hoping Vansant could make it in Rio as the 4th OH. She's young with lots of potential. She has the size, is a very good attacker and a decent passer. Anyway, I am just not a fan of post-NCAA Hodge/Easy, maybe because of her unsteady passing and reception. Who will Karch take as the 2 Opposites? Murphy, Fawcett and now Lowe are very capable. IMHO, Fawcett is very good off-the-bench and with the double sub and I think she's a lock for that Opp spot. Just I don't know which lefty Karch will take. Glad that Banwarth really solidified that libero spot. She's very steady in everything, not flashy but she gets the job done. A HUGE UPGRADE OVER DAVIS. The Davis bashing really "grinds my gears". You're talking about Nicole Davis, the 2x Olympic silver medalist. While I like Banwarth, let's have some respect for Nicole! She earned it. Davis is an incredible digger, but her passing hurt the team in the last quad.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Jul 5, 2015 19:50:03 GMT -5
It was sad to see Fawcett using a float serve
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Post by kc8413 on Jul 5, 2015 20:22:50 GMT -5
The Davis bashing really "grinds my gears". You're talking about Nicole Davis, the 2x Olympic silver medalist. While I like Banwarth, let's have some respect for Nicole! She earned it. Davis is an incredible digger, but her passing hurt the team in the last quad. I agree, esp when opposing teams started targeting her, the libero than the other 2 outside hitters (granted they were Logan Tom and Larson)...
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Post by chisovnik on Jul 5, 2015 20:37:26 GMT -5
The Davis bashing really "grinds my gears". You're talking about Nicole Davis, the 2x Olympic silver medalist. While I like Banwarth, let's have some respect for Nicole! She earned it. Davis is an incredible digger, but her passing hurt the team in the last quad. Incredible digger? She was out of position almost all the time and made many more bad plays than good plays. Banwarth is better than her in all aspects.
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Post by deacondive on Jul 5, 2015 23:28:16 GMT -5
This has been debated a ton without a known conclusion but I think Karch is only allowed to take 12 players (not 14) to the Olympics so the fourth OH might be either a serving specialist like what Tama was during the London Olympics or a defensive specialist in case Banwarth gets injured. I think it's risky to go with just one libero. Who's the better blocker and server? Lowe or Murphy? It's so interesting that Murphy who looked like a lock now must work and prove that she's better than Lowe and Fawcett... Last quad there were not so many questions as to the make up of the team just a year before the Olympics. This upcoming year will def be interesting. Murphy over a long stretch is still a more efficient attacker than Lowe I dont see that changing and def better than Nicole. But we can still do well with any combination so K arch can experiment however much he wants and let newbies get playing time. Really a bonus. No Lowe is far more efficient and better out of system. The big test for Lowe is whether she can maintain her current level.
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Post by Sbilo on Jul 6, 2015 1:16:37 GMT -5
Next week's pool should be more interesting with three teams--Russia, Serbia and Turkey (again)--all with basically the same style of play. I read somewhere that Serbia's top Opposite, Jovana Brakocevic, is pregnant. Is this true? I haven't followed Serbia lately but the Serbian team pre-London Games were topnotch. I like watching Ognejenovic (one of the best setters before), Rasic, Djesirilo, Brakocevic, Molnar, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 2:28:58 GMT -5
Murphy over a long stretch is still a more efficient attacker than Lowe I dont see that changing and def better than Nicole. But we can still do well with any combination so K arch can experiment however much he wants and let newbies get playing time. Really a bonus. Normally, having uncertainty in the core roster at this stage in the quad would definitely not be a bonus, but that uncertainty happens to exist with almost all of the top teams in the world at the moment. China seems to be coming together at a good time, making them appear quite dangerous for Rio. USA does well well when the fast tempo offense is clicking, but when it's not you get sets like the one in the match with Turkey. Murphy's effectiveness is maximized within the fast offense, but it's clear Lowe provides so much more versatility in attacking, despite the fact that she may not be as efficient. Any improvements Lowe can make in other aspects of her game and blocking in particular only serve to separate her from Murphy. Fawcett's skill set is pretty well set, but that skill set happens to be strong in areas that Murphy and Lowe can't really compete with very well. I don't know how much uncertainty ACTUALLY exists... Glass, Thompson, Lowe, Fawcett, Akinradewo, Harmotto, Dixon, Larson, Hill, Hodge, Robinson, Banwarth IMO. Vansant is going to give Robinson a run for her money, but I think Robinson's passing, defense, and ability to fill multiple roles (though I don't think she'd ever get the nod at libero, no matter how poorly Banwarth is playing) will give her the edge. I'm looking forward to that battle, however. I'd like to see Vansant against a bigger block and against a stronger opponent than Belgium. She looked pretty bad out-of-system a couple times, but she's just a youngin'. To me, it just doesn't even seem close between Murphy and Lowe. Lowe is only going to get better as a blocker and a defender, Murphy's two weakest areas, and I think she has the potential to be a better server. The potential in those areas, combined with her obviously superior pace and versatility (she took some really nice swings on broken plays out of the back row this weekend) makes this a no-brainer for me. It seems pretty clear that Fawcett will make the roster to run the double-sub, and she provides good play should Lowe struggle. Fawcett is the best defender (though not by much), best server, and best blocker of the three. Hell, I think she could even take the starting spot if Lowe can prove able to come off the bench and score points. She improved very much in the last year. This weekend really emphasized how much better Glass is as a blocker and a defender than our next best 5-1 option, Kreklow. If Glass can get healthy, and she seems to be doing well considering she's in the gym every day, Kreklow will be an alternate. There is absolutely zero doubt that Thompson will make the squad to run the double-sub. Gibbemeyer v. Dixon is going to be really fun to watch too. I think Gibbemeyer is a little better in front of the setter, where every other middle in the USA program is generally weaker (though Akinradewo wasn't in 2010-2012... as long as Berg set her the ball she needed), and a better blocker IMO, but I think Dixon has a better serve and seems to play better defense? It's tough to say. They each seem to go through periods where they're really solid, and periods where they're inconsistent. I wish Adams was able to find some consistency. Oh well.
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Post by mplssetter on Jul 6, 2015 2:38:31 GMT -5
Glass has been injured for awhile it seems, however, I'm not sure that I've heard anyone say what the injury was or how serious it is.
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Post by volleyguy on Jul 6, 2015 3:00:36 GMT -5
Next week's pool should be more interesting with three teams--Russia, Serbia and Turkey (again)--all with basically the same style of play. I read somewhere that Serbia's top Opposite, Jovana Brakocevic, is pregnant. Is this true? I haven't followed Serbia lately but the Serbian team pre-London Games were topnotch. I like watching Ognejenovic (one of the best setters before), Rasic, Djesirilo, Brakocevic, Molnar, etc. I also have heard/read that Brakocevic is pregnant. Serbia went 0-3 in their pool, with losses to Thailand, Brazil and Russia. I don't think they will win against USA, but they are one of those teams that are collective head cases, can look great one minute and horrible the next.
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Post by volleyguy on Jul 6, 2015 4:46:59 GMT -5
Normally, having uncertainty in the core roster at this stage in the quad would definitely not be a bonus, but that uncertainty happens to exist with almost all of the top teams in the world at the moment. China seems to be coming together at a good time, making them appear quite dangerous for Rio. USA does well well when the fast tempo offense is clicking, but when it's not you get sets like the one in the match with Turkey. Murphy's effectiveness is maximized within the fast offense, but it's clear Lowe provides so much more versatility in attacking, despite the fact that she may not be as efficient. Any improvements Lowe can make in other aspects of her game and blocking in particular only serve to separate her from Murphy. Fawcett's skill set is pretty well set, but that skill set happens to be strong in areas that Murphy and Lowe can't really compete with very well. I don't know how much uncertainty ACTUALLY exists... Glass, Thompson, Lowe, Fawcett, Akinradewo, Harmotto, Dixon, Larson, Hill, Hodge, Robinson, Banwarth IMO. Vansant is going to give Robinson a run for her money, but I think Robinson's passing, defense, and ability to fill multiple roles (though I don't think she'd ever get the nod at libero, no matter how poorly Banwarth is playing) will give her the edge. I'm looking forward to that battle, however. I'd like to see Vansant against a bigger block and against a stronger opponent than Belgium. She looked pretty bad out-of-system a couple times, but she's just a youngin'. To me, it just doesn't even seem close between Murphy and Lowe. Lowe is only going to get better as a blocker and a defender, Murphy's two weakest areas, and I think she has the potential to be a better server. The potential in those areas, combined with her obviously superior pace and versatility (she took some really nice swings on broken plays out of the back row this weekend) makes this a no-brainer for me. It seems pretty clear that Fawcett will make the roster to run the double-sub, and she provides good play should Lowe struggle. Fawcett is the best defender (though not by much), best server, and best blocker of the three. Hell, I think she could even take the starting spot if Lowe can prove able to come off the bench and score points. She improved very much in the last year. This weekend really emphasized how much better Glass is as a blocker and a defender than our next best 5-1 option, Kreklow. If Glass can get healthy, and she seems to be doing well considering she's in the gym every day, Kreklow will be an alternate. There is absolutely zero doubt that Thompson will make the squad to run the double-sub. Gibbemeyer v. Dixon is going to be really fun to watch too. I think Gibbemeyer is a little better in front of the setter, where every other middle in the USA program is generally weaker (though Akinradewo wasn't in 2010-2012... as long as Berg set her the ball she needed), and a better blocker IMO, but I think Dixon has a better serve and seems to play better defense? It's tough to say. They each seem to go through periods where they're really solid, and periods where they're inconsistent. I wish Adams was able to find some consistency. Oh well. I share your view for the most part, but I also see uncertainty everywhere: Glass' absence at this particular time, Easy/Hodge's ability to return to form, Vansant vs Robinson, Harmotto's ability to play to potential, Hill's inconsistency, Larson's seeming NT lethargy. I've always viewed the fast offense as an adaptation--in a sense a quick fix [for the lack of potent attackers on the pins]. Lowe's range of attacks already suggests an adjustment to the offense. If Easy/Hodge and/or Vansant emerge, do we see a greater shift away from full-out speed, and where exactly would that put us? Or in other words, does the uncertainty lie in the philosophy or the parts? I also don't really understand the point about Robinson and multiple roles. I don't realistically expect her to have a libero role (even though she might make a difference in the constant 5-10 points per match from reasonably reachable balls over Banwarth's head.) What other role could she play? In my view, it's simply a head-to-head competition.
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Post by ay2013 on Jul 6, 2015 5:17:32 GMT -5
I just finished watching the turkey match...I'm convinced that Hodge is getting worse. Why do people think she's heading to Rio? Everytime I've seen her since she's been back she's not been good. Did I miss matches where she was doing well?
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Post by ay2013 on Jul 6, 2015 5:35:48 GMT -5
Jackson's serve is really good.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 15:16:27 GMT -5
I don't know how much uncertainty ACTUALLY exists... Glass, Thompson, Lowe, Fawcett, Akinradewo, Harmotto, Dixon, Larson, Hill, Hodge, Robinson, Banwarth IMO. Vansant is going to give Robinson a run for her money, but I think Robinson's passing, defense, and ability to fill multiple roles (though I don't think she'd ever get the nod at libero, no matter how poorly Banwarth is playing) will give her the edge. I'm looking forward to that battle, however. I'd like to see Vansant against a bigger block and against a stronger opponent than Belgium. She looked pretty bad out-of-system a couple times, but she's just a youngin'. To me, it just doesn't even seem close between Murphy and Lowe. Lowe is only going to get better as a blocker and a defender, Murphy's two weakest areas, and I think she has the potential to be a better server. The potential in those areas, combined with her obviously superior pace and versatility (she took some really nice swings on broken plays out of the back row this weekend) makes this a no-brainer for me. It seems pretty clear that Fawcett will make the roster to run the double-sub, and she provides good play should Lowe struggle. Fawcett is the best defender (though not by much), best server, and best blocker of the three. Hell, I think she could even take the starting spot if Lowe can prove able to come off the bench and score points. She improved very much in the last year. This weekend really emphasized how much better Glass is as a blocker and a defender than our next best 5-1 option, Kreklow. If Glass can get healthy, and she seems to be doing well considering she's in the gym every day, Kreklow will be an alternate. There is absolutely zero doubt that Thompson will make the squad to run the double-sub. Gibbemeyer v. Dixon is going to be really fun to watch too. I think Gibbemeyer is a little better in front of the setter, where every other middle in the USA program is generally weaker (though Akinradewo wasn't in 2010-2012... as long as Berg set her the ball she needed), and a better blocker IMO, but I think Dixon has a better serve and seems to play better defense? It's tough to say. They each seem to go through periods where they're really solid, and periods where they're inconsistent. I wish Adams was able to find some consistency. Oh well. I share your view for the most part, but I also see uncertainty everywhere: Glass' absence at this particular time, Easy/Hodge's ability to return to form, Vansant vs Robinson, Harmotto's ability to play to potential, Hill's inconsistency, Larson's seeming NT lethargy. I've always viewed the fast offense as an adaptation--in a sense a quick fix [for the lack of potent attackers on the pins]. Lowe's range of attacks already suggests an adjustment to the offense. If Easy/Hodge and/or Vansant emerge, do we see a greater shift away from full-out speed, and where exactly would that put us? Or in other words, does the uncertainty lie in the philosophy or the parts? I also don't really understand the point about Robinson and multiple roles. I don't realistically expect her to have a libero role (even though she might make a difference in the constant 5-10 points per match from reasonably reachable balls over Banwarth's head.) What other role could she play? In my view, it's simply a head-to-head competition. Uncertainty in individual play, sure, but I see little roster uncertainty other than maybe 1-2 spots. I guess that's just me. And, I can't see the offense changing. Or those philosophies. And, Hodge needs the fast offense. If she emerges, it's definitely not changing. Regarding Robinson and multiple roles, Sykora's role in Beijing comes to mind, she could be a serving sub for a middle, or she could provide relief on the left... all in addition to starting, of course.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 15:18:50 GMT -5
I just finished watching the turkey match...I'm convinced that Hodge is getting worse. Why do people think she's heading to Rio? Everytime I've seen her since she's been back she's not been good. Did I miss matches where she was doing well? Matches? This is her first tournament back after having a child... What are you even talking about? And, wasn't she credited with 22 excellent receptions on 46 attempts in that match?
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Post by VolleyTX on Jul 6, 2015 15:52:37 GMT -5
WTH is up with the FIVB website? I can't find ANY of the results/statistics from the matches so far.
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