TKN barely escape pool again. At least Taryn remembered how to pass today, and seemed to be swinging harder. The slow starts are very concerning, trend not good heading into Olympics. Hopefully they make a run in brackets and make this post look dumb.
USA with no blocks again. In my opinion, this is an area they are lacking in most of the times I've watched them.
I wonder about this. Does Cheng basically have NO HOPS, like, at all? She's a horrible blocker except sometimes at the end of sets she gambles into the angle and gets some timely blocks. I never, ever see her get anywhere near the press over, or height on her block, as the blockers do from other top teams. If she has no hops, I don't think it is a problem that can be fixed. Kloth has not hops either but her standing reach is probably 3" higher than Cheng's. Cannon has no hops, less than Cheng, so we have USA top 3 blockers can barely get out of the sand.
It seems that she doesn't have hops. She has such a short window where her forearms are above the tape until gravity does it's thing. She also looks weak at the top if her block as well.
Sometimes I feel for Sara Hughes because it seems that she has the entire court to cover except for a small sliver.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2024 16:51:00 GMT -5 by VT Karen
I wonder about this. Does Cheng basically have NO HOPS, like, at all? She's a horrible blocker except sometimes at the end of sets she gambles into the angle and gets some timely blocks. I never, ever see her get anywhere near the press over, or height on her block, as the blockers do from other top teams. If she has no hops, I don't think it is a problem that can be fixed. Kloth has not hops either but her standing reach is probably 3" higher than Cheng's. Cannon has no hops, less than Cheng, so we have USA top 3 blockers can barely get out of the sand.
It seems that she doesn't have hops. She has such a short window where her forearms are above the tape until gravity does it's thing. She also looks weak at the top if her block as well.
Sometimes I feel for Sara Hughes because it seems that she has the entire court to cover except for a small sliver.
Chemistry aside with their long time respective partners, do you think it’d be a better skill matchup if Kloth played with Hughes (and Nuss with Cheng)? Sara could benefit playing defense behind a bigger block, and Nuss is so fast she can make up for Cheng’s lack of block
Post by undisclosedname on Apr 19, 2024 17:35:49 GMT -5
Watching some of the pool plays now... what's up with the line judge from the Carol/Barbara vs Melissa/Brandie match? Carol stepping on/under the line while serving, line judge sees it, even fixes the line after the play, but doesn't call it. Moments later, the same thing, and again and again. Carol was doing the same thing over and over in another quali match, but the line judge was tough and called it every time.
It seems that she doesn't have hops. She has such a short window where her forearms are above the tape until gravity does it's thing. She also looks weak at the top if her block as well.
Sometimes I feel for Sara Hughes because it seems that she has the entire court to cover except for a small sliver.
Chemistry aside with their long time respective partners, do you think it’d be a better skill matchup if Kloth played with Hughes (and Nuss with Cheng)? Sara could benefit playing defense behind a bigger block, and Nuss is so fast she can make up for Cheng’s lack of block
Biggest benefit to the switch would probably be Cheng helping Kristen's offense with her option play and great setting.
This is the problem with the three advance pool system. Yes Kloth struggled, but everyone knew that as soon as the pools were drawn they were advancing because of the Klinger sisters. Instead of the Holland match being a turning point in this event and one that could have sent the 2 seed home, it became just another not very important match.
There wasn't a women's pool in this event where a serious team stood any real chance of being eliminated. More than the Challenge nonsense, this is what should be fixed.
2020 VT Fantasy Beach Champion, 2021 MBO Fantasy Beach Champion, 2022 VT Fantasy Champion*
Serving pressure is a different equation when you have a good blocker. Andy/Miles also run a service game that is supposed to be always in, and depend on the block and D.
Not a great block? Yeah, no choice, you've got to risk a lot of service errors to get your aces and OOS results.
Good blocker? Two blocks for Pavan vs. USA. Not t h a t good.
Pavs isnt the blocker she once was for sure, but she has also always played a lot of positional/funneling blocking. Moreso than I would have preferred.
2020 VT Fantasy Beach Champion, 2021 MBO Fantasy Beach Champion, 2022 VT Fantasy Champion*
Post by maizecrayons on Apr 19, 2024 18:35:49 GMT -5
We’re gonna get an all Canadian matchup in the round of 12. TKN got Muller/Tillman which should be a quality matchup. Chughes seems to have gotten the easier draw with Tainá/Victoria, but they sure gave Barbara and Carol all they could handle earlier.
It seems that she doesn't have hops. She has such a short window where her forearms are above the tape until gravity does it's thing. She also looks weak at the top if her block as well.
Sometimes I feel for Sara Hughes because it seems that she has the entire court to cover except for a small sliver.
Chemistry aside with their long time respective partners, do you think it’d be a better skill matchup if Kloth played with Hughes (and Nuss with Cheng)? Sara could benefit playing defense behind a bigger block, and Nuss is so fast she can make up for Cheng’s lack of block
That is compelling! I never thought of it before.
Cheng and Nuss would be a very creative and cagey team on offense.
Post by nonathleticperson on Apr 19, 2024 19:47:17 GMT -5
Pavan limping into the Olympics would be a disservice to Canada honestly. I don't blame her, but Sophie/Heather are simply better. I will be happy for McBain though.
Post by c4ndlelight on Apr 19, 2024 20:18:59 GMT -5
Kloth is a terrible passer. She'd be (and was) unplayable indoors at that role - luckily you don't actually have to put up a good pass on the beach to side out.
Kloth is a terrible passer. She'd be (and was) unplayable indoors at that role - luckily you don't actually have to put up a good pass on the beach to side out.
related to our prior discussion.
but maybe you do have to put up a good pass to sideout, as evidenced in TKN's loss today.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2024 21:12:02 GMT -5 by dunninla3