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Post by guest2 on Apr 27, 2019 4:53:53 GMT -5
Duda needs to kick Agatha to the curb. She needs a new partner. This team once thought of having a great chance to be on top of the podium in Toyko looks like a team that may not even go. That would be a shame for this young phenom. These two are such a weird pair in terms of what they can do and what they cant. Sometimes I think Duda would be better off with a blocker that can create more points, since Duda's defense is not exceptional and she is not very fast, but then I wonder whether a slower blocker like Ana would be able to extend rallies by chasing down balls. Since Duda is such a strong hitter, it seems like anything she pops up, even marginally, that her partner can set often turns into a point. Because Duda is so young and gifted we always think of this in terms of her moving on, but I wonder if Agatha doesnt have a better option than Duda out there. She and Barbara had some great years and they were mostly stuck behind the three-headed monster that was KW/AR, LL/KW, and Larissa. If they had played in a field like the current one, which is deeper it seems but weaker at the top, who knows if they wouldnt have done just as well as Duda/Agatha. I think Ana/Duda is the team of the future, but I don't think any of these teams will enjoy facing Rebecca/Agatha if that happens. Antonelli/Salgado should also be thinking of getting into the partner swap mix. I think either could do something with a fresh face.
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Apr 27, 2019 5:28:05 GMT -5
Duda needs to kick Agatha to the curb. She needs a new partner. This team once thought of having a great chance to be on top of the podium in Toyko looks like a team that may not even go. That would be a shame for this young phenom. These two are such a weird pair in terms of what they can do and what they cant. Sometimes I think Duda would be better off with a blocker that can create more points, since Duda's defense is not exceptional and she is not very fast, but then I wonder whether a slower blocker like Ana would be able to extend rallies by chasing down balls. Since Duda is such a strong hitter, it seems like anything she pops up, even marginally, that her partner can set often turns into a point. Because Duda is so young and gifted we always think of this in terms of her moving on, but I wonder if Agatha doesnt have a better option than Duda out there. She and Barbara had some great years and they were mostly stuck behind the three-headed monster that was KW/AR, LL/KW, and Larissa. If they had played in a field like the current one, which is deeper it seems but weaker at the top, who knows if they wouldnt have done just as well as Duda/Agatha. I think Ana/Duda is the team of the future, but I don't think any of these teams will enjoy facing Rebecca/Agatha if that happens. Antonelli/Salgado should also be thinking of getting into the partner swap mix. I think either could do something with a fresh face. It’s like teams have figured them out & they could be left in the dust in the big scheme of things. Also, I didn’t watch the ATeams match against Australia. Not to much to say except this Aussie team is not messing around. I didn’t expect 2S to beat the Canadians. Whoever has watched this team, have they vastly improved this off season or have teams not figures them out yet either?
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Post by guest2 on Apr 27, 2019 6:42:09 GMT -5
These two are such a weird pair in terms of what they can do and what they cant. Sometimes I think Duda would be better off with a blocker that can create more points, since Duda's defense is not exceptional and she is not very fast, but then I wonder whether a slower blocker like Ana would be able to extend rallies by chasing down balls. Since Duda is such a strong hitter, it seems like anything she pops up, even marginally, that her partner can set often turns into a point. Because Duda is so young and gifted we always think of this in terms of her moving on, but I wonder if Agatha doesnt have a better option than Duda out there. She and Barbara had some great years and they were mostly stuck behind the three-headed monster that was KW/AR, LL/KW, and Larissa. If they had played in a field like the current one, which is deeper it seems but weaker at the top, who knows if they wouldnt have done just as well as Duda/Agatha. I think Ana/Duda is the team of the future, but I don't think any of these teams will enjoy facing Rebecca/Agatha if that happens. Antonelli/Salgado should also be thinking of getting into the partner swap mix. I think either could do something with a fresh face. It’s like teams have figured them out & they could be left in the dust in the big scheme of things. Also, I didn’t watch the ATeams match against Australia. Not to much to say except this Aussie team is not messing around. I didn’t expect 2S to beat the Canadians. Whoever has watched this team, have they vastly improved this off season or have teams not figures them out yet either? I think its both. Brandie is a different type of blocker from most of the other top ladies except Kerri and to some extent Joanna. Most of the others are either oversized types who aren't very dynamic (Pavan, Klineman, Ana to some extent, etc.) or have less reach etc. and are more Talita, Agatha, Summer, Sude type blockers, solid take an area, help your defender make plays types. Brandie has range similar to Pavan, Kerri, Joanna, Alix, etc. but she is much more dynamic even than a player like Kerri. Someone like Pavan affects every swing but she doesn't appear out of nowhere and swat shots or roof players the way Brandie does. Teams dont see that often enough to adapt. Very similar to early Kerri in her uniqueness Also that float serve of hers, when it goes in, tortures teams.
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Post by ajm on Apr 27, 2019 9:37:54 GMT -5
Agreed, Wolly007. I'm guessing that Goldengirls will be angry at me for saying this, but Kerri and Brooke are pretty much at their ceiling as a team given the 5'7" Brooke's shoulder issues and apparent inability to ever markedly improve her sideout game. As a fellow shortie and defender, I love Brooke, and have always rooted for her. However, I just don't see where the needed improvement, for them to start sniffing podium finishes, is going to come from if Brooke's sideout ability is what it is. Seems like the other US teams at least have some room to improve (for example, if Alix' all around skills can get better and April can continue to play at a really high level, or if Summer can still improve her blocking given her height, etc.), but not sure that Brooke is ever going to be able, at age 33, to improve her vertical and thus her ability to hit anything other than placement-type shots, etc. Hope I'm wrong, but Kerri will likely have to grab someone else if she ever wants to win again, especially internationally. By the way, it would seem to be almost the exact same situation with Phil and Nick. I think Nick's run near the top is pretty much over, and Phil is going to have to make a switch to sniff any kind of future FIVB and/or Olympic success. Not angry at all Beavis. I absolutely knew this was going to be an uphill battle. That last match was just so frustrating to be because I felt KW was still the best player on the court and if Brooke could have done a little more, they win this match. Oh well, it is what it is... Kerri really seems to going all out now. Swinging with no hesitation. Bringing back her jump serve. Laying out for balls like she’s 25. That’s why it’s maddening that she won’t hit on two once in a while. If she did that it would probably open up some more court for Brooke to hit her shots. Maybe they feel like as long as Brooke is making progress, just give her the reps to work out the kinks in her side out game.
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Apr 27, 2019 9:47:43 GMT -5
Not angry at all Beavis. I absolutely knew this was going to be an uphill battle. That last match was just so frustrating to be because I felt KW was still the best player on the court and if Brooke could have done a little more, they win this match. Oh well, it is what it is... Kerri really seems to going all out now. Swinging with no hesitation. Bringing back her jump serve. Laying out for balls like she’s 25. That’s why it’s maddening that she won’t hit on two once in a while. If she did that it would probably open up some more court for Brooke to hit her shots. Maybe they feel like as long as Brooke is making progress, just give her the reps to work out the kinks in her side out game. Kerri will be playing every match from here on out until they are officially of contention with a go for broke attitude, which may or may not lead to the last & 7th shoulder surgery. 🤷🏻♀️ Yes, I think they can compete with the world but at some point the pressure must mount if your Kerri’s partner, like all eyes are on you to up your game or it will be all your fault, even if it’s not. I want Brook Sweat to win a 1st FIVB Gold Medal...I believe KWJ does too.
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Post by ajm on Apr 27, 2019 9:55:25 GMT -5
In an attempt to jinx them against 2S, we should take a moment to appreciate the meteoric rise of AP and Rebecca. A year ago they were the 5th or 6th best Brazilian team and struggling to get out of the qualifiers. Now they are probably the hottest team in the world and just beat Heather and Brandie. They’ve reached the medal round in every FIVB event this year.
Too bad there’s apparently no young USA team poised to make a similar jump.
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Apr 27, 2019 10:13:32 GMT -5
In an attempt to jinx them against 2S, we should take a moment to appreciate the meteoric rise of AP and Rebecca. A year ago they were the 5th or 6th best Brazilian team and struggling to get out of the qualifiers. Now they are probably the hottest team in the world and just beat Heather and Brandie. They’ve reached the medal round in every FIVB event this year. Too bad there’s apparently no young USA team poised to make a similar jump. Claes & Sponcil...You heard it here 1st... On another note, is anyone that is watching the stream notice that no one is there?? Very sad! How do we grow this sport?? Dang.
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Post by beachbomb on Apr 27, 2019 10:36:14 GMT -5
Marketing! if you marketing skills is amazing, you can have the worst product and still draw attention... they need better talent in that crucial department...
did anyone watch the USC instagram story... how packed it was in there ... people were lining the parking garage seats view behind the bleachers!
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Post by ajm on Apr 27, 2019 10:58:10 GMT -5
Kira seems to be hinting at a comeback on her Instagram.
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Post by tamz on Apr 27, 2019 11:55:03 GMT -5
Kira seems to be hinting at a comeback on her Instagram. Say what?!! Will she rejoin Ludwig or pick up a new defender?
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Post by wang pu on Apr 27, 2019 11:56:22 GMT -5
In an attempt to jinx them against 2S, we should take a moment to appreciate the meteoric rise of AP and Rebecca. A year ago they were the 5th or 6th best Brazilian team and struggling to get out of the qualifiers. Now they are probably the hottest team in the world and just beat Heather and Brandie. They’ve reached the medal round in every FIVB event this year. Too bad there’s apparently no young USA team poised to make a similar jump. Claes & Sponcil...You heard it here 1st... On another note, is anyone that is watching the stream notice that no one is there?? Very sad! How do we grow this sport?? Dang. Is the weather still terrible?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2019 19:04:01 GMT -5
There`s like 30 people at the most watching the game.
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Post by ajm on Apr 27, 2019 19:36:40 GMT -5
There`s like 30 people at the most watching the game. It is 8 am there, but still. How can any promoter make money with nobody there, but Ft Lauderdale can’t?
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Post by goldengirlsx3 on Apr 27, 2019 19:41:04 GMT -5
Jeezzz...This Brazilian team is good. They are no fluke!!
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Post by ajm on Apr 27, 2019 19:43:07 GMT -5
Doesn’t look as windy as yesterday, but Brazil was getting 2S out of system with their jump serves. AP with some key blocks and Brazil winning all the long rallies. Match was never really in doubt. Not as close as the score indicated.
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