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Post by guest2 on Mar 21, 2024 9:47:06 GMT -5
Slovenia got a couple breaks with those serves, although I think part of that was Kennedy hoping for a cheap sideout instead of playing the close ones and earning it. That said from the time Brooke/Kennedy were up 12-10 in game 1, Slovenia just outclassed them. Kennedy is big and young, so could improve fast, and maybe she is still battling nerves, but she doesn't belong at this level right now. Agreed. Kennedy really looks overmatched here. I know they're getting in on Brooke's injury points, but they really should be playing Futures events. Not sure where they're training, but I don't see how this helps Kennedy's development. And she's missing her high school senior year for this. I like the ambition and thinking outside the box, I think a lot of the US women could benefit from something similar, but I agree that the World Tour may be the wrong choice for her now. Moving to LA, getting in regular practice groups with top players, would probably benefit her more. All that said, if they are getting to these events early and staying late and getting practice matches with the international teams, then its probably worthwhile also
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Post by dunninla3 on Mar 21, 2024 11:42:25 GMT -5
Oh well, just down to Van Gunst/Hildreth now. I like their chances in Q2 to advance to Pool play.
Long trip to go home after one match for the other two teams. At least they get a 2 for 1 with next week in Saquarema. Savvy/Toni have to be wondering about whether the FIVB thing is even worth the expenses.
I suppose the eliminated American women can find practice courts after today and work out for a week waiting for Saquarema.
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Post by dunninla3 on Mar 21, 2024 11:51:21 GMT -5
Agreed. Kennedy really looks overmatched here. I know they're getting in on Brooke's injury points, but they really should be playing Futures events. Not sure where they're training, but I don't see how this helps Kennedy's development. And she's missing her high school senior year for this. I like the ambition and thinking outside the box, I think a lot of the US women could benefit from something similar, but I agree that the World Tour may be the wrong choice for her now. Moving to LA, getting in regular practice groups with top players, would probably benefit her more. All that said, if they are getting to these events early and staying late and getting practice matches with the international teams, then its probably worthwhile also there's always Savvi and Toni to practice with for the next week.
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Post by beachcoach on Mar 21, 2024 15:10:53 GMT -5
Norway pulled a very experienced short straw in QF. Makes me happy to see those two back together. Their win in Cancun was second only to Kerri/Brooke's win in the last 5-10 years in terms of how much I enjoyed a team winning on the women's side. indeed likewise but the Japanese pair turned up!
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Post by houdini on Mar 21, 2024 15:30:50 GMT -5
Hildreth / Van Gunst get aced for a 22-24 loss vs. Slovenia and down in the 2nd 2-5.
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Post by maizecrayons on Mar 21, 2024 15:40:48 GMT -5
Hildreth / Van Gunst get aced for a 22-24 loss vs. Slovenia and down in the 2nd 2-5. Wheels kinda came off for them in the 2nd.
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Post by dunninla3 on Mar 21, 2024 15:45:26 GMT -5
Hildreth / Van Gunst get aced for a 22-24 loss vs. Slovenia and down in the 2nd 2-5. Wheels kinda came off for them in the 2nd. I keep hoping Hildreth will side out better. She's a great setter, but, well, that's about it. I don't think small college setting skills translates very well to pro Beach. Sure, setter plus outside, but not a person who rarely attacked or received serve in college.
That doesn't mean she cannot become a good attacker, but it would be a new skill after like eight years of pro Beach. I don't think I saw her swing hard once that entire match... somewhat shades of Kloth, but no height to create angles.
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Post by ajm on Mar 21, 2024 15:47:41 GMT -5
Hildreth / Van Gunst get aced for a 22-24 loss vs. Slovenia and down in the 2nd 2-5. Wheels kinda came off for them in the 2nd. A little reminiscent of that Toni/Savvy match this morning. Hildreth let a serve hit the tape that was well within her reach on set point, then they just fell apart in the second set, 21-9. No American women's teams in the main draw of a Challenger in the Western Hemisphere. Maybe the USA isn't as deep as we all thought. Where are all the recent NCAA grads?
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Post by ajm on Mar 21, 2024 15:50:49 GMT -5
Wheels kinda came off for them in the 2nd. I keep hoping Hildreth will side out better. She's a great setter, but, well, that's about it. I don't think college setter translates very well to pro Beach. Sure, setter plus outside, but not a person who rarely attacked or received serve in college.
That doesn't mean she cannot become a good attacker, but it would be a new skill. I don't think I saw her swing hard once that entire match... somewhat shades of Kloth, but no height to create angles.
Hildreth is 33. TVG is 29. They are decent players, but neither has much upside at this point in their careers.
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Post by dunninla3 on Mar 21, 2024 16:06:36 GMT -5
well. that's it for the Women's side for USA. At least the men have 2 MD plus Tri/Chaim who should win their Quali to get to Pool.
Good question about the women's depth. Scoles plus Flint would definitely be playing MD if not for her surgery. So that's USA3. Understandably USA1 and USA2 not here.
Not sure now with the Olympic race over, even who USA4, USA5, etc. would be. College volleyball is in season so that explains the absence of Madi May Anderson (and partner Molly Turner), and also Megan Kraft (and recent partner Cannon).
I think Zana is done with FIVB.
What about Kolinske? If she's not playing Brazil in late March, then is she only AVP now?
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Post by ajm on Mar 21, 2024 16:20:20 GMT -5
Sophie and Heather both ripping their topspin jumpers against China and got five aces, all in the second set. It's rare to see both partners using jump serves on the women's side, but I like it! They're in the main draw.
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Post by nonathleticperson on Mar 21, 2024 16:58:30 GMT -5
If only Sophie wasn't so prone to making silly hitting errors. She could be so good offensively.
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Post by blackmambabeto on Mar 21, 2024 18:02:07 GMT -5
well. that's it for the Women's side for USA. At least the men have 2 MD plus Tri/Chaim who should win their Quali to get to Pool. Good question about the women's depth. Scoles plus Flint would definitely be playing MD if not for her surgery. So that's USA3. Understandably USA1 and USA2 not here. Not sure now with the Olympic race over, even who USA4, USA5, etc. would be. College volleyball is in season so that explains the absence of Madi May Anderson (and partner Molly Turner), and also Megan Kraft (and recent partner Cannon). I think Zana is done with FIVB. What about Kolinske? If she's not playing Brazil in late March, then is she only AVP now? I think Maddie and Molly split
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Post by ajm on Mar 21, 2024 18:21:27 GMT -5
If only Sophie wasn't so prone to making silly hitting errors. She could be so good offensively. That's been kind of her biggest fault all along. I still think she's a better defender than blocker, at least at this level. Another thing she discussed on the Sandcast is how there really aren't many younger Canadian women in the pipeline but that's what she's trying to develop with her volleyball academy. If she could find the next Pavan or Brandie, I could see her making a run at LA 2028 back on defense.
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Post by VolleyballMag on Mar 21, 2024 20:02:54 GMT -5
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