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Post by stevehorn on Apr 29, 2019 8:39:59 GMT -5
Will be interesting to see. Until 3-4 years ago, TIV and TAV were only about 5 miles from each other in Arlington. At that time, TAV moved to Carrollton which adjoins northwest Dallas which gave it closer access to the North Dallas suburbs which is a volleyball rich area.
This TIV team has several top players, such as Phillips (Texas) and Tealer (Kentucky) that live within a few miles of TIV and likely may have ended up at TAV in the past. If TIV is able to keep the top players out of Tarrant County like it did on this team, it likely will remain a contender in Open.
With respect due to TAV, there is way to much talent in the DFW Metroplex to fit under one roof. Image has had other top 20 Open teams. That is in addition to Mad Frogs, Skyline, Excel, Club Texas, and Premiere current/ in recent years as well. (note at least 3 other area clubs have have top 100 players in their gyms tool). When you get to the Open Championship, 1-2 more players typically is the difference but not always. This was not the most talented recent TAV team but those young ladies earned their championship. I agree with your statement. While Image has had several Top 20 Open teams, I don't remember them having one that contended for an Open championship. I believe the poster was asking about whether they could stay an Open championship contender or was this an exception.
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Post by charger0304 on Apr 29, 2019 8:49:31 GMT -5
With respect due to TAV, there is way to much talent in the DFW Metroplex to fit under one roof. Image has had other top 20 Open teams. That is in addition to Mad Frogs, Skyline, Excel, Club Texas, and Premiere current/ in recent years as well. (note at least 3 other area clubs have have top 100 players in their gyms tool). When you get to the Open Championship, 1-2 more players typically is the difference but not always. This was not the most talented recent TAV team but those young ladies earned their championship. I agree with your statement. While Image has had several Top 20 Open teams, I don't remember them having one that contended for an Open championship. I believe the poster was asking about whether they could stay an Open championship contender or was this an exception. It will be interesting to see how things progress in the Metroplex area especially if Drive Nation continues to try to buy up the smaller clubs. Skyline has consistently fielded Open-qualifying teams across the age groups, Excel is getting there, MadFrog has a strong bunch at 15s but recently has tapped out at the younger ages. Other clubs seem to have pockets of success (TIV, LoneStar, Premier, Summit?). Will Texas Pistols be able to capitalize on this year's success?
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Post by stevehorn on Apr 29, 2019 10:00:05 GMT -5
I agree with your statement. While Image has had several Top 20 Open teams, I don't remember them having one that contended for an Open championship. I believe the poster was asking about whether they could stay an Open championship contender or was this an exception. It will be interesting to see how things progress in the Metroplex area especially if Drive Nation continues to try to buy up the smaller clubs. Skyline has consistently fielded Open-qualifying teams across the age groups, Excel is getting there, MadFrog has a strong bunch at 15s but recently has tapped out at the younger ages. Other clubs seem to have pockets of success (TIV, LoneStar, Premier, Summit?). Will Texas Pistols be able to capitalize on this year's success? Out of curiousity, what clubs has Drive Nation purchased?
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Post by stevehorn on Apr 29, 2019 10:02:54 GMT -5
I agree with your statement. While Image has had several Top 20 Open teams, I don't remember them having one that contended for an Open championship. I believe the poster was asking about whether they could stay an Open championship contender or was this an exception. That team was special indeed with 3 top 25 kids who literally just walked in their door along with a number of other talented kids. The point I was attempting to make was any top 15-20 team if they get hot at the right time can win it all (... case in point this year's TAV 18's squad). I just love how the game has continued to grow in N Texas and wouldn't be surprised to see the "other" N Texas competing as well. It will be interesting to see. I wouldn't say the Top 25 kids walked in their door. They are kids from the surrounding area that start at TIV or another area club, but many times finish at TAV or the Plano area clubs. More accurate to say that they kept them from walking out the door.
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Post by oldhead on Apr 29, 2019 10:52:31 GMT -5
That team was special indeed with 3 top 25 kids who literally just walked in their door along with a number of other talented kids. The point I was attempting to make was any top 15-20 team if they get hot at the right time can win it all (... case in point this year's TAV 18's squad). I just love how the game has continued to grow in N Texas and wouldn't be surprised to see the "other" N Texas competing as well. It will be interesting to see. I wouldn't say the Top 25 kids walked in their door. They are kids from the surrounding area that start at TIV or another area club, but many times finish at TAV or the Plano area clubs. More accurate to say that they kept them from walking out the door. I think TAV has been the #1 club in the nation for several years now based off US Club rankings which takes into account every age group. I was one of the observers who didn't think that the 18's team had the top level talent (Prep rankings) as most of their younger teams. What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament due to a injury. Since we compete with them so often, I think 4-5 of those girls were around when they won at 14's and silvered at 16's. TAV acquires skilled/athletic players who could individually be superstars at other clubs to buy-in to the team concept that make them dangerous from 13's-18's. A few other in the state are as good in every age group, Skyline- Dallas & Houston, HJV to name a few. But yes with Madfrogs. Skyline, Excel, TAV, TIV, Premier, Drive Nation (Tejas) and several other within a 15-20 mile radius, there is a strong talent pool.
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Post by garnet04 on Apr 29, 2019 11:28:16 GMT -5
What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament
Is the injury to Christon serious enough to compromise her play in Kansas next august?
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Post by coachk2 on Apr 29, 2019 11:30:51 GMT -5
What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament Is the injury to Christon serious enough to compromise her play in Kansas next august?[/qu ote] As I understand from HC, sprained ankle on day one - making Gold Medal even more impressive.
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Post by stanfordvb on Apr 29, 2019 11:39:13 GMT -5
I wouldn't say the Top 25 kids walked in their door. They are kids from the surrounding area that start at TIV or another area club, but many times finish at TAV or the Plano area clubs. More accurate to say that they kept them from walking out the door. I think TAV has been the #1 club in the nation for several years now based off US Club rankings which takes into account every age group. I was one of the observers who didn't think that the 18's team had the top level talent (Prep rankings) as most of their younger teams. What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament due to a injury. Since we compete with them so often, I think 4-5 of those girls were around when they won at 14's and silvered at 16's. TAV acquires skilled/athletic players who could individually be superstars at other clubs to buy-in to the team concept that make them dangerous from 13's-18's. A few other in the state are as good in every age group, Skyline- Dallas & Houston, HJV to name a few. But yes with Madfrogs. Skyline, Excel, TAV, TIV, Premier, Drive Nation (Tejas) and several other within a 15-20 mile radius, there is a strong talent pool. Iโd say this year, takin in all age groups, tav is the best club in the country. Itโs not always this way but they have a very good 16-18s team that are all top 3 I think in their age groups. Munciana, spvb, northern lights, Mintonette, A5, and kiva are the other elite clubs with pretty good teams every year. That excludes west coast teams because I donโt really follow Cali teams but of course some of them belong in there
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Post by atticus on Apr 29, 2019 11:40:28 GMT -5
Has USAV announced a location for GJNC 18s in 2020? I saw the March announcement that the younger ages will be in Dallas next year and boys in Reno but it mentioned 18s was TBA.
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Post by coachk2 on Apr 29, 2019 12:06:22 GMT -5
Has USAV announced a location for GJNC 18s in 2020? I saw the March announcement that the younger ages will be in Dallas next year and boys in Reno but it mentioned 18s was TBA. Expect announcement in next couple of weeks ๐
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Post by azvolleydad on Apr 29, 2019 12:17:35 GMT -5
Has USAV announced a location for GJNC 18s in 2020? I saw the March announcement that the younger ages will be in Dallas next year and boys in Reno but it mentioned 18s was TBA. Expect announcement in next couple of weeks ๐ By the way CoachK -- as always, you did a great job announcing the championships!
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bluepenquin
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Post by bluepenquin on Apr 29, 2019 12:26:30 GMT -5
I wouldn't say the Top 25 kids walked in their door. They are kids from the surrounding area that start at TIV or another area club, but many times finish at TAV or the Plano area clubs. More accurate to say that they kept them from walking out the door. I think TAV has been the #1 club in the nation for several years now based off US Club rankings which takes into account every age group. I was one of the observers who didn't think that the 18's team had the top level talent (Prep rankings) as most of their younger teams. What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament due to a injury. If you are looking at prepvolleyball rankings and take into account players that will not graduate until 2020-21 - then this TAV was among the most talented teams in the 18U division. When comparing to other age groups - may have to take into account the increasing # of players that are skipping 18U club to enroll in college and the maybe this year more 'top' players are playing on 'lessor' club teams. This was and should have been among the favorites to win.
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Post by coachk2 on Apr 29, 2019 13:36:17 GMT -5
Expect announcement in next couple of weeks ๐ By the way CoachK -- as always, you did a great job announcing the championships! Thanks! My seventh year and hoping for many more - have my contract for Indy. With just the stream camera, I feel my description of the details of each play are needed so viewers can realize the great efforts of these talented players! I โค๏ธ club volleyball - came close to a Bronze in USA as AC but couldn't quite a get there ๐ฅ
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Post by ay2013 on Apr 29, 2019 13:57:40 GMT -5
I wouldn't say the Top 25 kids walked in their door. They are kids from the surrounding area that start at TIV or another area club, but many times finish at TAV or the Plano area clubs. More accurate to say that they kept them from walking out the door. I think TAV has been the #1 club in the nation for several years now based off US Club rankings which takes into account every age group. I was one of the observers who didn't think that the 18's team had the top level talent (Prep rankings) as most of their younger teams. What makes this even more amazing, they won it without having their talented top listed 2019 recruit, Christon (Kansas) for some of the tournament due to a injury. Since we compete with them so often, I think 4-5 of those girls were around when they won at 14's and silvered at 16's. TAV acquires skilled/athletic players who could individually be superstars at other clubs to buy-in to the team concept that make them dangerous from 13's-18's. A few other in the state are as good in every age group, Skyline- Dallas & Houston, HJV to name a few. But yes with Madfrogs. Skyline, Excel, TAV, TIV, Premier, Drive Nation (Tejas) and several other within a 15-20 mile radius, there is a strong talent pool. They had an 18's team a couple years back that defied expectations at nationals without having any really "elite" recruits on it (I don't think any player was higher than 80 on senior aces). It was just a team of very skilled volleyball players. This club just does it right year after year. It was clear who the better first contact and transition team was in that final. They execute well. If they could give MVP to anyone, it should have been the coach.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Apr 29, 2019 14:04:12 GMT -5
At the 18s level, it's often not about how good your best players are, but how good your weakest ones are. Not having a soft spot in serve receive, or block/defense, and having every hitter be at least a competent threat usually overrides the ability of that one/two special athletes to take over - at least over the course of such a slog-like tournament like nationals.
That TAV team a few years ago may not have had one singular star, but you have a huge advantage when you can trot out 10-12 quality D-1 players. This is why the powerhouse club teams stay on top even if they don't have a Top 10 player every year - and also why people are unfair when they say "XYZ VBC has three Top 50 players, why aren't they winning more?"
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