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Post by hochee on Jun 19, 2018 0:55:46 GMT -5
Carlini and Poulter have everything it takes -- size, speed, skills, command on the court. They definitely occupy the first two setter chairs on this team. Then Kelly unassumingly sits in the third chair, awkwardly trying to find somewhere to put her two big trophies.
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Post by trianglevolleyball on Jun 19, 2018 1:08:42 GMT -5
I don't know how much people keep up with European leagues, but McCage and Hannah Tapp have certainly proven themselves as elite middles. McCage was the top MB in all of Germany and Tapp played very well in both attacking and blocking (better than Ogbogu) before her injury. I don't think they're the answer and agree with many that Washington/Alhassan/Inky are probably the future, but folks seem a bit dismissive about the success McCage and Tapp have had just because they weren't as dominant in college. Probably would be starting middles for the bottom tier of VNL teams, but we're just so deep at that position.
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Post by junobruno10 on Jun 19, 2018 1:25:10 GMT -5
Right...because lifting, training, and playing for two months gets you right back in it, okay. I doubt shhhhhhhh has ever played volleyball. Notice the kind of totally unrealistic expectations he has for Lowe (and the unhealthy obsession he has for a particular someone who will never be back in a USNT uniform). It's like shhhhhhhhh thinks you can simply press a button and Karsta will be back to her old self immediately. Not so fast... Being out a year, for both the National Team and Club, and expect to be in tip-top shape? There’s no way. Even for a player like “she who shall not be named.”
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Post by Cruz'n on Jun 19, 2018 1:53:27 GMT -5
Excited about the possibilities. Great list of players from which to select a team.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2018 2:54:07 GMT -5
I'm disappointed that Amber Rolfzen didn't make the roster. I would've thought she's about the third strongest MB in this group. I think she’s been in Nebraska all summer. Not sure if she was even invited, but I would think so.
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Post by bball on Jun 19, 2018 6:39:38 GMT -5
I'm disappointed that Amber Rolfzen didn't make the roster. I would've thought she's about the third strongest MB in this group. I think she’s been in Nebraska all summer. Not sure if she was even invited, but I would think so. She's become an impressive middle in her pro league.
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Post by SportyBucky on Jun 19, 2018 7:59:52 GMT -5
Carlini and Poulter have everything it takes -- size, speed, skills, command on the court. They definitely occupy the first two setter chairs on this team. Then Kelly unassumingly sits in the third chair, awkwardly trying to find somewhere to put her two big trophies. Yeah. Skill at an individual position is all about the number of trophies you've accumulated. If that's the case, look at the AA honors, sullivan award, Gatorade NPOY...why limit it to NC?
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Post by blackiechan1999 on Jun 19, 2018 8:04:44 GMT -5
I don't know how much people keep up with European leagues, but McCage and Hannah Tapp have certainly proven themselves as elite middles. McCage was the top MB in all of Germany and Tapp played very well in both attacking and blocking (better than Ogbogu) before her injury. I don't think they're the answer and agree with many that Washington/Alhassan/Inky are probably the future, but folks seem a bit dismissive about the success McCage and Tapp have had just because they weren't as dominant in college. Probably would be starting middles for the bottom tier of VNL teams, but we're just so deep at that position. You seem dismissive over Ogbogu.
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Post by SportyBucky on Jun 19, 2018 8:21:30 GMT -5
I don't know how much people keep up with European leagues, but McCage and Hannah Tapp have certainly proven themselves as elite middles. McCage was the top MB in all of Germany and Tapp played very well in both attacking and blocking (better than Ogbogu) before her injury. I don't think they're the answer and agree with many that Washington/Alhassan/Inky are probably the future, but folks seem a bit dismissive about the success McCage and Tapp have had just because they weren't as dominant in college. Probably would be starting middles for the bottom tier of VNL teams, but we're just so deep at that position. You seem dismissive over Ogbogu. Ogbogu is head and shoulders above McGage offensively and Tapp all around. There's not even a comparison except because of international experience.
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Post by blackiechan1999 on Jun 19, 2018 8:25:20 GMT -5
You seem dismissive over Ogbogu. Ogbogu is head and shoulders above McGage offensively and Tapp all around. There's not even a comparison except because of international experience. Yeah I was thinking the same thing, Ogbogu is definitely a better blocker than Tapp.
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Post by donut on Jun 19, 2018 9:24:59 GMT -5
Should have just let Glass take the reigns. She has far less coaching experience. USA continues to have trouble attracting high quality assistants and other coaches. Mostly this is a funding problem. The full time head coach is well compensated. No one else is. Meh, this is a very very low-level tournament, mainly meant to assess our B/C-teamers ability to be given a shot at competing for a spot on the A-Team. Glass would have created more buzz around the tournament and she has 10 years of international volleyball experience as a setter. I'll take that over the assistant coach at the University of Arkansas...
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Post by donut on Jun 19, 2018 9:37:40 GMT -5
What I'd like to see: Setters: Lauren Carlini (Aurora, Illinois), Kelly Hunter (Papillion, Nebraska) Liberos: Amanda Benson (Litchfield Park, Arizona), Justine Wong-Orantes (Cypress, California) Opposites: Karsta Lowe (Rancho Santa Fe, California), Aiyana Whitney (Norwood, New Jersey) Outside Hitters: Adora Anae (Punaluu, Hawaii), Simone Lee (Menomonee, Wisconsin), Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska), Sarah Wilhite (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) Middles: Inky Ajanaku (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, Texas), Haleigh Washington (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Carly Wopat (Santa Barbara, California) Setter thoughts: Not saying Hunter deserves it over Poulter, but I imagine Karch will default to the players who have graduated. Libero thoughts: I guess Karch likes Knop, so I could see her making it on over JWO, although I'd like to see JWO get another chance to start. Would like to see Benson as well, since she got shafted in the VNL after Week 1. Opposite thoughts: Fan of Krystal Rivers too - honestly would like to see what both her and Aiyana can do, but I imagine (especially with all of the buzz) that Lowe will start. Outside hitter thoughts: I imagine Kingdon will get the nod, but would reeealllly like to see Anae, Lee and Rolfzen. Middles: At least one of the Tapps will probably take one of the above spots (probably from Wopat). I have some thots: - S: Would love to see Hunter selected, but no one should be starting at Carlini's expense. She's missed so many reps because of her ankle injury. If she's healed, they need to get her back in rhythm. She's the only one capable of challenging Lloyd for PT.
- L: I'd be surprised to see Benson get the nod. I'd rather see what Knop can do. Benson's had a summer in the gym already, and even played in WGP.
- OH: No desire to see Wilhite or Kingdon (unless their husbands are gonna get a lot of camera time in the audience), but particularly Wilhite though. She's obviously going to look more comfortable/terminal against the inferior NORCECA teams, but that isn't valuable information to have on an athlete who is making travel rosters with the A team. This is such a great opportunity to see if the young guns (Anae, Lee, Rolfzen, Mitchem) are going to be viable options for the 2020 roster. It's important to figure that out as soon as possible. Wish Lanier, Edmond, and Foecke were invited to train; can't use the college excuse anymore if Karch is inviting Poulter.
- MB: Same as above. Happ and Papp are nice players, but I think it's important to know to what degree Washington, Ogbogu, Ajanaku, and McCage could possibly contribute.
- OPP: They're all meh choices IMO. I still think this is a position where Lee could contribute. Plummer too, if she wasn't rehabbing her knee. But it won't matter who's over there if the ball is as inconsistent and unhittable as it's been through VNL.
Also found this line interesting: "Not all players are expected to dress for the Red-Blue." And the choice to have Glass on the bench as an assistant is one of the best decisions Karch has made in his tenure as head coach. I think she'll make for an outstanding coach. She's always been an exceptional leader and communicator. My thots on your thots: S: I think it's a little early to write off Hunter. Maybe she's not the starter in 2020, but I think she makes the most sense behind Carlini for 2020+ (assuming Lloyd retires and Hancock never becomes a serious option to start). L: I see more potential in Benson then Knop. Considering this is a fight for spot #3 in the libero depth chart, I'd rather give Benson starting time after (again) her VNL dismissal. OH: If Wilhite travels again to the finals, then sure. If for some reason she doesn't make that roster, considering her debut with that A-Team was a bit shaky, I'd like to see her in Pan Ams along side this other group for comparison's sake. OPP: I'd still like to see Lee on the left unless she proves that she just won't be able to pass at this level.
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Post by donut on Jun 19, 2018 9:39:00 GMT -5
I don't know how much people keep up with European leagues, but McCage and Hannah Tapp have certainly proven themselves as elite middles. McCage was the top MB in all of Germany and Tapp played very well in both attacking and blocking (better than Ogbogu) before her injury. I don't think they're the answer and agree with many that Washington/Alhassan/Inky are probably the future, but folks seem a bit dismissive about the success McCage and Tapp have had just because they weren't as dominant in college. Probably would be starting middles for the bottom tier of VNL teams, but we're just so deep at that position. "Proven themselves as elite middles" and "German league" don't really belong in the same sentence.
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Post by vbkahuna on Jun 19, 2018 9:49:43 GMT -5
Look I like Kelly Hunter and think she's earned the accolades and hardware she's won, but anyone who thinks she's a better setter than either Carlini or Poulter is dreaming. The international game requires setters who are exceptional blockers and can handle lots of out of system balls/sets. Carlini and Poulter are unquestionably the best fit for that kind of game.
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Post by trianglevolleyball on Jun 19, 2018 9:50:31 GMT -5
You seem dismissive over Ogbogu. Ogbogu is head and shoulders above McGage offensively and Tapp all around. There's not even a comparison except because of international experience. There definitely is a comparison since Ogbogu played on the same team Tapp replacing her after Tapp's injury, and they each played about a half a season. Ogbogu's blocking numbers are lightly better, but Tapp was better in attack ahead in attack and serve. I'm just unsure what people are citing here, there are actually statistics showing how the Tapps/Mccage/Ogbogu/Rolfzen/Wopat have performed in an international context. I agree that Ogbogu has potential to have a higher ceiling (though Tapp was also developing quite nicely before her injury) but success in NCAA play against Kansas and Iowa State does not in itself put someone "head and shoulders" above her peers.
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