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Post by beachbomb on Jul 16, 2019 3:10:39 GMT -5
oh i completely agree... with april... alix has gotten so much advanced learning and knowledge of the game... and the confidence and calmness of april as a partner is really incredible and no other little could do it better ...
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Post by guest2 on Jul 16, 2019 3:54:27 GMT -5
Sponcil on the other hand, I do not understand unless she was lower on KWJ's list than Brooke. Sponcil had no real partner commitments and if KWJ called, why not say yes. If KWJ gets hurt, nothing really lost. Au contraire, mon ami. KWJ wanted Claes, and then Claes didn't work out for her. She dumps Claes, and Claes calls Sponcil who had been playing with Fendrick, whom she had done well with, but Fendrick got pregnant. With me so far? As you said, an elite Big is a game changer. The USA has Summer, Claes, and now Alix. Alix is already elite, Summer and Claes might get there, not sure yet. But if you're Sponcil, in late summer of 2018, you only see Claes as a desired and available long term Big. Alix taken by April, Summer taken by Hughes, and KWJ coming off injury to only play another two years. At that point, one of only three elite Bigs asks you to be a long term partner. Suppose Sponcil says no to Claes and commits to KWJ for two years. Claes picks up Hochever, or whoever, unless Flint or Stockman decides to look for a new Big. Now we're at August, 2020 and KWJ retires. Sponcil is without a Big. What chance do you give Claes of picking up Sponcil, when Sponcil said no two years prior? Claes, Alix and Summer (depending on her back) have their pick of defenders. It's a risk to think you turn down Claes now, who is likely an 8-10 year partner, and expect she'll forgive you in 2020. It was also a risk that KWJ would get through Tokyo with a sound shoulder, and still is, actually. Bottom line is, Sponcil had a lot to lose by turning down Claes in Sept. 2018. Wow that's a reach. In this scenario there are half a dozen what ifs, most unlikely. 1)claes becomes elite 2)claes is vindictive enough to shoot herself in the foot over a two year old 'no thank you' 3)That claes would be Sponcils only and best option in 2020. Kerr I recognize you are the GOAT and every plate you have ever played with has had their best results with you, but two years down the road my playing with you might affect the US' 4th best blocker who could be 3rd by then. "
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Jul 16, 2019 4:28:01 GMT -5
We are talking like April is gonna retire. I am not so sure about that... She is playing fantastic. She’ll still have Alix for a partner if she chooses to. I think a lot will depend on what happens in Tokyo.
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Post by acrossthepond on Jul 16, 2019 5:41:01 GMT -5
Not sure how easy this is and how motivated you are for making updates to the table - but would it be possible to show the worst finish of each team too? I think this will become interesting as teams complete 12 tournaments and can only improve by doing better than their #12 result. I'd love to do that and already had the idea myself. So far I didn't find a way to get exactly this data from the FIVB Webservice, but I'll dig deeper.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Jul 16, 2019 6:24:17 GMT -5
Klineman/Ross with a great lead. Projected finish has KWJ/Sweat as the number 2. 2nd place is tighter than I thought. All teams chasing the 2nd spot will be able to drop some low tournaments as they've played a bunch already.
Teams will be looking to drop anything worse than a 9th at a 4 star (400 team pts). The team that can have the fewest 9ths will get there.
4* and below bad finishes:
Claes/Sponcil & Hughes/Summer have 4 9ths and the Q lose in Gstaad
Larsen/Stockman have 1 9th and 2 17ths
Walsh Jennings/Sweat have 3 9ths and a 17th
July 15 2019
Team - Nb. - Points - AVG - Proj Pts - Proj Finish Klineman/Ross - 9 - 6,840 - 760 - 9120 - 1 Walsh Jennings/Sweat - 11 - 5,820 - 529 - 6349 - 2 Hughes/Summer - 8 - 4,080 - 510 - 6120 - 3 Claes/Sponcil - 8 - 3,920 - 490 - 5880 - 4 Larsen/Stockman - 8 - 3,840 - 480 - 5760 - 5 Day/Flint - 6 - 2,500 - 417 - 5000 - 6
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Post by acrossthepond on Jul 16, 2019 7:09:55 GMT -5
Not sure how easy this is and how motivated you are for making updates to the table - but would it be possible to show the worst finish of each team too? I think this will become interesting as teams complete 12 tournaments and can only improve by doing better than their #12 result. I managed to add the #12 result of those teams that have already participated in 12+ events. However I'm afraid that it will significantly slow down my table once more teams reach the 12 tournament milestone. I might have to take it out again, but let's see. 12ndr.at/olympic-ranking-men12ndr.at/olympic-ranking-women
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Post by tree on Jul 16, 2019 9:47:25 GMT -5
Another reason Alix and April are doing so well is having Jen as a coach. Jen and April had great chemistry as partners and April truly values her input and game plans. Jen is able to help Alix know what April needs as a partner. I think this team is our best chance at getting a medal in the Olympics by far if they both stay healthy of course. I think second place is still a race. When Kerri is the running you can never count her out. I think Sara and Summer still have a chance to catch them but they will have to play well more often.
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Post by guest2 on Jul 16, 2019 10:09:10 GMT -5
Another reason Alix and April are doing so well is having Jen as a coach. Jen and April had great chemistry as partners and April truly values her input and game plans. Jen is able to help Alix know what April needs as a partner. I think this team is our best chance at getting a medal in the Olympics by far if they both stay healthy of course. I think second place is still a race. When Kerri is the running you can never count her out. I think Sara and Summer still have a chance to catch them but they will have to play well more often. Lot of people were blaming Jen when this team struggled, nice to see her work acknowledged
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Post by tree on Jul 16, 2019 10:38:48 GMT -5
I do not think it is a coincidence since she is traveling with them more since she has recovered from her hip surgery that they are placing more top finishes. Also not sure there has been a team yet without struggle. The competition is just too close in the world now.
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Post by tamz on Jul 16, 2019 11:01:53 GMT -5
I do not think it is a coincidence since she is traveling with them more since she has recovered from her hip surgery that they are placing more top finishes. Also not sure there has been a team yet without struggle. The competition is just too close in the world now. They also made a pact that she would not be away from her family for more than 2 weeks so maybe this is another reason why they’re all flying back to California instead of just ATeam going to Portugal. On their team, there’s also another Brazilian coach working with them.
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Post by dunninla3 on Jul 16, 2019 11:16:15 GMT -5
she's not that animated and electric when she plays purely out of being competitve... she's said how she loves BVB ... I mean she's made a ton of money playing indoor professionally, but 2 full time years and pulling in 203k and not even hitting your potential and playing with someone whos at the end of her career... even if she were blind she'd see the bright future... I honestly don`t think Alix would have won even half if she was playing with anyone else besides April. I think April gets overlooked a lot, not only because she`s great, but all her experience that she has put into Alix already. April has basically taken Alix into a short cut. Let`s say if Alix was playing with Sponcil I don`t think she would be where she`s now as a player. And I don`t think she will be able to find a partner good as April in the next 5-10 years ( if April retires). Anyways...will be interesting to see if NBC will give the prime slot to Kerry or Alix-April in Tokyo. Yes, for sure. Also don't forget Kessey. However, now a year and a half into development, this is a case of the student surpassing the teacher in effectiveness not because of greater acquired skills, but b/c of much greater length... thus the serving of April most of the time now, and it's not b/c of any setting issues with Alix... they aren't great sets, but they are serviceable. April isn't the best setter either. Alix sides out much better than April the last few matches. Don't forget Alix is still a world class Outside.
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Post by newbeach on Jul 16, 2019 19:05:39 GMT -5
Au contraire, mon ami. KWJ wanted Claes, and then Claes didn't work out for her. She dumps Claes, and Claes calls Sponcil who had been playing with Fendrick, whom she had done well with, but Fendrick got pregnant. With me so far? As you said, an elite Big is a game changer. The USA has Summer, Claes, and now Alix. Alix is already elite, Summer and Claes might get there, not sure yet. But if you're Sponcil, in late summer of 2018, you only see Claes as a desired and available long term Big. Alix taken by April, Summer taken by Hughes, and KWJ coming off injury to only play another two years. At that point, one of only three elite Bigs asks you to be a long term partner. Suppose Sponcil says no to Claes and commits to KWJ for two years. Claes picks up Hochever, or whoever, unless Flint or Stockman decides to look for a new Big. Now we're at August, 2020 and KWJ retires. Sponcil is without a Big. What chance do you give Claes of picking up Sponcil, when Sponcil said no two years prior? Claes, Alix and Summer (depending on her back) have their pick of defenders. It's a risk to think you turn down Claes now, who is likely an 8-10 year partner, and expect she'll forgive you in 2020. It was also a risk that KWJ would get through Tokyo with a sound shoulder, and still is, actually. Bottom line is, Sponcil had a lot to lose by turning down Claes in Sept. 2018. Wow that's a reach. In this scenario there are half a dozen what ifs, most unlikely. 1)claes becomes elite 2)claes is vindictive enough to shoot herself in the foot over a two year old 'no thank you' 3)That claes would be Sponcils only and best option in 2020. Kerr I recognize you are the GOAT and every plate you have ever played with has had their best results with you, but two years down the road my playing with you might affect the US' 4th best blocker who could be 3rd by then. " Sponcil was never committed to Fendrick for anything long-term and when Claes called her up it was her best option at the time (they were not great friends at that time). I don't think Sponcil is committed to staying with Claes necessarily for long-term (but they could make a 2024 run together). Sponcil will have options after 2020. For now, Claes is her best option (unless KWJ comes calling). Sponcil and Claes could part amicably and get back together in the future.
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Jul 16, 2019 20:54:48 GMT -5
Wow that's a reach. In this scenario there are half a dozen what ifs, most unlikely. 1)claes becomes elite 2)claes is vindictive enough to shoot herself in the foot over a two year old 'no thank you' 3)That claes would be Sponcils only and best option in 2020. Kerr I recognize you are the GOAT and every plate you have ever played with has had their best results with you, but two years down the road my playing with you might affect the US' 4th best blocker who could be 3rd by then. " Sponcil was never committed to Fendrick for anything long-term and when Claes called her up it was her best option at the time (they were not great friends at that time). I don't think Sponcil is committed to staying with Claes necessarily for long-term (but they could make a 2024 run together). Sponcil will have options after 2020. For now, Claes is her best option (unless KWJ comes calling). Sponcil and Claes could part amicably and get back together in the future. Good source says Kerri is in no way considering switching up now or has ever thought about switching from Brooke. This source says that they will rise together or fall together according to KW. Although it appears Brooke has a knee injury of some sort. Don’t know how serious it is. Guess we’ll stay tuned to see how this tourney goes for them. Hoping for the best!!
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Post by tamz on Jul 16, 2019 21:19:38 GMT -5
Brooke’s knee brace looks like the same type that April had in Hamburg and Gstaad.
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Post by ajm on Jul 17, 2019 4:55:16 GMT -5
Brooke had some knee problems last fall also. I believe she talked about it on the Sandcast awhile back.
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