Anyone going to watch/follow the WOQT in Japan?

[ironhammer]

The Women Olympic Qualification Tournament is coming up in Japan next month. This will be the final opportunity for teams who have yet to secure a spot at Rio to try and get one. Anyone planning to watch or follow the tournament? The teams are Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Netherlands, Peru and Thailand. Would be interesting as, depending on which teams makes it to Rio, we can have a rough guess at who will face the the already-qualified teams in the Olympic pool matches.

[nativevolley]

I'll be following the tournament for sure because I have nothing else to do. I will go ahead and say this, The Netherlands will most likely be a team to qualify. They took Russia to a thriller five set lost in the European qualification tournament. They beat some tough teams. It is only up for them. Second, now that DelCruz is back in the mix for the Dominican Republic. They could heavily rely on her (as they always do). They may be a contender. Yet, Italy is still strong and with some veterans coming back in the lineup. We can see them on the podium. I would be happy if Thailand made the tournament. They are quirky little ladies that can surprise the world! South Korea with Kim is not enough. She needs help.
Japan is Japan; they'll find a way to qualify.. ;-)

[trojansc]

Apr 30, 2016 11:59:59 GMT -5 nativevolley said:

I'll be following the tournament for sure because I have nothing else to do. I will go ahead and say this, The Netherlands will most likely be a team to qualify. They took Russia to a thriller five set lost in the European qualification tournament. They beat some tough teams. It is only up for them. Second, now that DelCruz is back in the mix for the Dominican Republic. They could heavily rely on her (as they always do). They may be a contender. Yet, Italy is still strong and with some veterans coming back in the lineup. We can see them on the podium. I would be happy if Thailand made the tournament. They are quirky little ladies that can surprise the world! South Korea with Kim is not enough. She needs help.
Japan is Japan; they'll find a way to qualify.. ;-)

I don't know -- Kim might be able to get Korea into the top 4. I wouldn't bet on it though. I think they have a better chance than Thailand.

Thailand is interesting. They don't really stand out at anything, and certainly do not have a size advantage, but they manage to stay in matches and even win sometimes. They nearly qualified in 2012 (had a chance to oust Serbia or Japan).

I am wondering what DR is going to do with their pins. Where does the 6'8 Martinez go? I am not sure Gina Mambru starts at OPP. If I was Kwiek, I might consider Rivera as a passing opposite. Brayelin has consistently got better and I think you have to have her in the lineup.

Also, Candida Arias is also returning for the Dominican side. De La Cruz has had an ample recovery time, but no international experience in like a year (she played as a blocking sub in Canada for the 2015 Pan Am Games).

Serve receive, as always, is still a concern for DR.

[kc8413]

Apr 30, 2016 11:59:59 GMT -5 nativevolley said:

I'll be following the tournament for sure because I have nothing else to do. I will go ahead and say this, The Netherlands will most likely be a team to qualify. They took Russia to a thriller five set lost in the European qualification tournament. They beat some tough teams. It is only up for them. Second, now that DelCruz is back in the mix for the Dominican Republic. They could heavily rely on her (as they always do). They may be a contender. Yet, Italy is still strong and with some veterans coming back in the lineup. We can see them on the podium. I would be happy if Thailand made the tournament. They are quirky little ladies that can surprise the world! South Korea with Kim is not enough. She needs help.
Japan is Japan; they'll find a way to qualify.. ;-)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Russia beat Netherlands in 4 sets.

[ironhammer]

Apr 30, 2016 12:22:55 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Apr 30, 2016 11:59:59 GMT -5 nativevolley said:

I'll be following the tournament for sure because I have nothing else to do. I will go ahead and say this, The Netherlands will most likely be a team to qualify. They took Russia to a thriller five set lost in the European qualification tournament. They beat some tough teams. It is only up for them. Second, now that DelCruz is back in the mix for the Dominican Republic. They could heavily rely on her (as they always do). They may be a contender. Yet, Italy is still strong and with some veterans coming back in the lineup. We can see them on the podium. I would be happy if Thailand made the tournament. They are quirky little ladies that can surprise the world! South Korea with Kim is not enough. She needs help.
Japan is Japan; they'll find a way to qualify.. ;-)

I don't know -- Kim might be able to get Korea into the top 4. I wouldn't bet on it though. I think they have a better chance than Thailand.

Thailand is interesting. They don't really stand out at anything, and certainly do not have a size advantage, but they manage to stay in matches and even win sometimes. They nearly qualified in 2012 (had a chance to oust Serbia or Japan).

I am wondering what DR is going to do with their pins. Where does the 6'8 Martinez go? I am not sure Gina Mambru starts at OPP. If I was Kwiek, I might consider Rivera as a passing opposite. Brayelin has consistently got better and I think you have to have her in the lineup.

Also, Candida Arias is also returning for the Dominican side. De La Cruz has had an ample recovery time, but no international experience in like a year (she played as a blocking sub in Canada for the 2015 Pan Am Games).

Serve receive, as always, is still a concern for DR.

Thailand is certainly interesting. Often an underestimated team, but they are known to pull off a surprise or two against the top teams. It will still be a tough task for them to qualify for Rio, but don't count them out just yet.

[c4ndlelight]

I think thailand's window closed for them after 2012. They've trotted out almost exactly the same team for about a decade and they are getting up there in age (and those extra years hurt when you're relying on sub 5-10 hitters), and we haven't seen much of any youth to replace.

[speegs13]

I haven't followed South Korea closely, but what happened to the team that finished 4th in London and now? Did they lose players, or was London just a weird tournament?

[memorybankrupt]

Apr 30, 2016 22:11:14 GMT -5 speegs13 said:

I haven't followed South Korea closely, but what happened to the team that finished 4th in London and now? Did they lose players, or was London just a weird tournament?

I recall in London that Han Song-Yi (the other OH) had a pretty good tournament. KYK was her usual self or better and got Olympic MVP despite her team finishing 4th - that tells you how dominant she was in London.

The 2nd outside hitter is probably their deepest need. Can't find someone that can pass and/or terminate. From what I've seen, South Korea just can't find any decent players to compliment KYK. I bet our 10th or 11th best US player in each position would start for Korea (maybe not at libero).

[speegs13]

Thanks for the info!

Anyways, I'll be rooting for the DR to qualify, they're one of my favorite teams to watch (behind the US of course)!

[nativevolley]

Apr 30, 2016 19:08:09 GMT -5 kc8413 said:

Apr 30, 2016 11:59:59 GMT -5 nativevolley said:

I'll be following the tournament for sure because I have nothing else to do. I will go ahead and say this, The Netherlands will most likely be a team to qualify. They took Russia to a thriller five set lost in the European qualification tournament. They beat some tough teams. It is only up for them. Second, now that DelCruz is back in the mix for the Dominican Republic. They could heavily rely on her (as they always do). They may be a contender. Yet, Italy is still strong and with some veterans coming back in the lineup. We can see them on the podium. I would be happy if Thailand made the tournament. They are quirky little ladies that can surprise the world! South Korea with Kim is not enough. She needs help.
Japan is Japan; they'll find a way to qualify.. ;-)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Russia beat Netherlands in 4 sets.

Yeah it was the Turkey vs Italy match that went to 5 sets but still the Netherlands have it..

[orangeknight]

Thailand is my favorite team in this tournament. It's very fun to watch them playing with a series of surprising shots and smiles all the time. I hope they are good enough to qualify.

[ironhammer]

I wonder if there will be any major upsets? DR did pretty well in the 2014 World Championships. Thailand was known to be a giant-killer, although with their ageing players, it may be hard to keep that up.

[bownlovingfreak]

I love Pleumjit and Tomkom's connection! Incredible duo.

[ironhammer]

Apr 30, 2016 22:51:43 GMT -5 speegs13 said:

Thanks for the info!

Anyways, I'll be rooting for the DR to qualify, they're one of my favorite teams to watch (behind the US of course)!

I root for them as well. I always love their fighting spirit.