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Post by stelsonvb on Oct 14, 2024 11:13:14 GMT -5
The past couple of weekends saw the SoCal Cup U17/18 and U15/16 qualifier tournaments. For those that attended, did any particular teams, or players or rosters stand out?   |
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Post by couchanalyst on Oct 14, 2024 11:27:59 GMT -5
I'd say SoCal 18s is for BB to lose. They picked up Jack Loper and Jackson Cryst, interested to see a Surf - BB match up, but I think it's a close match between BB and B2B as they weren't able to make the Avengers team.
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Post by stelsonvb on Oct 14, 2024 15:22:58 GMT -5
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Post by wilbur on Oct 14, 2024 19:00:34 GMT -5
I'd say SoCal 18s is for BB to lose. They picked up Jack Loper and Jackson Cryst, interested to see a Surf - BB match up, but I think it's a close match between BB and B2B as they weren't able to make the Avengers team. I think BB and Surf will be better than B2B. TR might be able to occasionally beat one of those teams, the other teams are a step down. Surf was really good last year with a skeleton roster finishing 2nd in nationals and always close to winning. They added both starting middles from last year's surf 18, the starting OH/OPP from last year's TR17 and the OH from last year's team who many regard as the best OH on last year's team is playing again after being injured the entirety of last year. TBD how they gel but the ceiling is high. BB picking up Cryst is a game changer, they were already a solid team that was very consistent and a threat to win at every event last year. Cryst will score points every single set at the net and from the service line against any team. He has potential to be MVP of the class. Who else did B2B pick up other than Layton? He is an upgrade and top 2 at his position but last year's L was good so I don't think there is much ground to be gained there. Not close to what Surf and BB picked unless they got some other surprises. TR got some, lost some. Might be static from last year, they were good last year but never fully put it together. This year could be different, the talent is there but not as complete or proven as the other 3 teams. |
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Post by servenpass311 on Oct 14, 2024 23:07:53 GMT -5
I'd say SoCal 18s is for BB to lose. They picked up Jack Loper and Jackson Cryst, interested to see a Surf - BB match up, but I think it's a close match between BB and B2B as they weren't able to make the Avengers team. I think BB and Surf will be better than B2B. TR might be able to occasionally beat one of those teams, the other teams are a step down. Surf was really good last year with a skeleton roster finishing 2nd in nationals and always close to winning. They added both starting middles from last year's surf 18, the starting OH/OPP from last year's TR17 and the OH from last year's team who many regard as the best OH on last year's team is playing again after being injured the entirety of last year. TBD how they gel but the ceiling is high. BB picking up Cryst is a game changer, they were already a solid team that was very consistent and a threat to win at every event last year. Cryst will score points every single set at the net and from the service line against any team. He has potential to be MVP of the class. Who else did B2B pick up other than Layton? He is an upgrade and top 2 at his position but last year's L was good so I don't think there is much ground to be gained there. Not close to what Surf and BB picked unless they got some other surprises. TR got some, lost some. Might be static from last year, they were good last year but never fully put it together. This year could be different, the talent is there but not as complete or proven as the other 3 teams. Cooper Keene on surf is a game changer |
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Post by brokeclubdad on Oct 15, 2024 4:30:21 GMT -5
I saw both MB Surf and BB play. I think it’s a 2 horse race for Gold. It’ll probably go back and forth all season as they battle nearly every other weekend. Both teams are stacked with local talent!
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Post by froggy640 on Oct 15, 2024 7:17:20 GMT -5
I saw both MB Surf and BB play. I think it’s a 2 horse race for Gold. It’ll probably go back and forth all season as they battle nearly every other weekend. Both teams are stacked with local talent! Any East coast team or mid west/ south team could contend with these two? (WPVC/ HVA for example)? WPVC has 4 D1 commits on their team already. Outside of Cali it is tough for these teams to get enough high level competition throughout the year being a major challenge IMO. |
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Post by brokeclubdad on Oct 15, 2024 13:01:50 GMT -5
I saw both MB Surf and BB play. I think it’s a 2 horse race for Gold. It’ll probably go back and forth all season as they battle nearly every other weekend. Both teams are stacked with local talent! Any East coast team or mid west/ south team could contend with these two? (WPVC/ HVA for example)? WPVC has 4 D1 commits on their team already. Outside of Cali it is tough for these teams to get enough high level competition throughout the year being a major challenge IMO. Never say never, but all the stars would have to align for any other team to win IMO. They may have 4 D1 commits, but Balboa's bench players are getting D1 offers. Christ is a difference maker. His serves are insane. He get's every inch of reach on his 6'10" frame!! MB Surf got Silver last year with Blake Fahlbush not being healthy the entire year, and then the picked up Cooper from Rockstar! They looked very strong. Looking forward to their head to head matches all season. With MB Surf, Rockstar, BB, Coast, Rockstar 17's, 949 17's, etc all competing against each other every two weeks or so, how do non-So Cal teams get better at the same pace as these teams by Nationals? |
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Post by stelsonvb on Oct 16, 2024 14:07:19 GMT -5
I watched the 15s/16s, and Coast 16 and Balboa 16 got taller from last year. Balboa's best OH from last year was on the bench with an injury and their two middles are still the best in the country plus two new setters. Coast 16s has another giant playing for them, this one in the middle and looks new to the game. Their pin hitters are great and may be the best passing team I saw.
Pinnacle had their best OH on crutches and has two new middles which appear to be taller than last year, but similar athletes. Rockstar U16 lost their best player to their 17s team as well as a MH isn't playing. They are still very athletic on the pins.
Pulse G is all a bunch of brothers, evidently multiple births close together. Crazy to see one mom on the bench with them. Not tall but great skills. I didn't see any of the 15s teams play. MB surf is undersized with great defense.
There is a definite drop off after Coast, BB, and Rockstar. Pinnacle is very physical but inconsistent. Others may be good too, I just didn't see them.
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Post by socalvolleydad on Oct 16, 2024 14:33:30 GMT -5
Did anyone pay attention to the 17's? They tend to get overshadowed when they are the "juniors" in the 17/18 division, esp with the impressive 18's teams being discussed in this thread.
I saw Day 2 and COAST and Rockstar both looked impressive. BB, 949 and MB Surf probably nipping at their heels.
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Post by GrowingTheGame14 on Oct 16, 2024 15:43:21 GMT -5
I saw both MB Surf and BB play. I think it’s a 2 horse race for Gold. It’ll probably go back and forth all season as they battle nearly every other weekend. Both teams are stacked with local talent! Any East coast team or mid west/ south team could contend with these two? (WPVC/ HVA for example)? WPVC has 4 D1 commits on their team already. Outside of Cali it is tough for these teams to get enough high level competition throughout the year being a major challenge IMO. Won’t be able to answer this until January unfortunately since SoCal teams chose to create a new three day event instead of going to Indy for one season. Last year it was pretty cool to see the progress of other teams as it all went through the “big three events” in Chi Town, January SoCal, then nationals. The South and MW teams at 17s did close the gap. SoCal traveling to the Midwest the last couple seasons did provide unique opportunities for Midwest teams to get exposed to that pretty early in the season and the parody the last few years at nationals showed. I have a feeling you will see SoCal separate at nationals if teams don’t get to see those teams more than once. The teams that made the best run at nationals went to SoCal (or Europe in stings position) at least twice that weren’t from Cali. Balboa had to seriously reload some new talent if they wanted to be in the hunt this year. Academy if anyone watched that match put on a clinic against them in the round of elite and even though the second set ended 25-23, academy was once up 21-16 in that set. They were up 23-11 in the first. Surf was so good without Blake and if he is back playing, surf should be the favorite in this class. But balboa added some new pieces and they had to in order to get into the championship convo because I don’t think they were at 17s. That club and culture will always keep them in the mix because it’s how their program has grown but talent wise they were missing pieces. So to answer your question, can the teams compete absolutely. Do I think teams have the opportunities to find game changing talent like they can in SoCal, probably not. Winter Park, Academy, MVC (who was stings team) are who they are and their talent just has to improve. Adversity south, 630, and Chicago based clubs would have to have one super team from that area. |
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Post by froggy640 on Oct 17, 2024 7:14:20 GMT -5
Any East coast team or mid west/ south team could contend with these two? (WPVC/ HVA for example)? WPVC has 4 D1 commits on their team already. Outside of Cali it is tough for these teams to get enough high level competition throughout the year being a major challenge IMO. Won’t be able to answer this until January unfortunately since SoCal teams chose to create a new three day event instead of going to Indy for one season. Last year it was pretty cool to see the progress of other teams as it all went through the “big three events” in Chi Town, January SoCal, then nationals. The South and MW teams at 17s did close the gap. SoCal traveling to the Midwest the last couple seasons did provide unique opportunities for Midwest teams to get exposed to that pretty early in the season and the parody the last few years at nationals showed. I have a feeling you will see SoCal separate at nationals if teams don’t get to see those teams more than once. The teams that made the best run at nationals went to SoCal (or Europe in stings position) at least twice that weren’t from Cali. Balboa had to seriously reload some new talent if they wanted to be in the hunt this year. Academy if anyone watched that match put on a clinic against them in the round of elite and even though the second set ended 25-23, academy was once up 21-16 in that set. They were up 23-11 in the first. Surf was so good without Blake and if he is back playing, surf should be the favorite in this class. But balboa added some new pieces and they had to in order to get into the championship convo because I don’t think they were at 17s. That club and culture will always keep them in the mix because it’s how their program has grown but talent wise they were missing pieces. So to answer your question, can the teams compete absolutely. Do I think teams have the opportunities to find game changing talent like they can in SoCal, probably not. Winter Park, Academy, MVC (who was stings team) are who they are and their talent just has to improve. Adversity south, 630, and Chicago based clubs would have to have one super team from that area. The libero from HVA moving to WPVC will have a big impact for that team. It was a weak spot for them and having a reliable player at libero could really impact how they can play. It will will come down to competing as much as possible. Their schedule is a lot of travel this year to find more competitive game that push them... |
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Post by diggindeepbvb on Oct 17, 2024 8:42:46 GMT -5
Won’t be able to answer this until January unfortunately since SoCal teams chose to create a new three day event instead of going to Indy for one season. Last year it was pretty cool to see the progress of other teams as it all went through the “big three events” in Chi Town, January SoCal, then nationals. The South and MW teams at 17s did close the gap. SoCal traveling to the Midwest the last couple seasons did provide unique opportunities for Midwest teams to get exposed to that pretty early in the season and the parody the last few years at nationals showed. I have a feeling you will see SoCal separate at nationals if teams don’t get to see those teams more than once. The teams that made the best run at nationals went to SoCal (or Europe in stings position) at least twice that weren’t from Cali. Balboa had to seriously reload some new talent if they wanted to be in the hunt this year. Academy if anyone watched that match put on a clinic against them in the round of elite and even though the second set ended 25-23, academy was once up 21-16 in that set. They were up 23-11 in the first. Surf was so good without Blake and if he is back playing, surf should be the favorite in this class. But balboa added some new pieces and they had to in order to get into the championship convo because I don’t think they were at 17s. That club and culture will always keep them in the mix because it’s how their program has grown but talent wise they were missing pieces. So to answer your question, can the teams compete absolutely. Do I think teams have the opportunities to find game changing talent like they can in SoCal, probably not. Winter Park, Academy, MVC (who was stings team) are who they are and their talent just has to improve. Adversity south, 630, and Chicago based clubs would have to have one super team from that area. The libero from HVA moving to WPVC will have a big impact for that team. It was a weak spot for them and having a reliable player at libero could really impact how they can play. It will will come down to competing as much as possible. Their schedule is a lot of travel this year to find more competitive game that push them... Is the libero a florida based kid? |
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Post by onyourhead on Oct 17, 2024 10:00:34 GMT -5
Unpopular opinion but think B2B still are some favorites here. Surf is a close second and if Blake is back at full health he is the best player at any given moment. Surf adding Cooper with Grayson is definitely makes them the strongest on the pins. Rockstar has some really good pieces and will battle these teams as I think Thatcher (Blake’s brother) always contends against these big teams especially Surf. B2B with Rafa just plays imo the cleanest ball and performs well in big games. Balboa adding Cyst and Loper are some of the two top players in the class but not sure if that’s enough for Surf or B2B
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Post by gocougs on Oct 17, 2024 11:27:07 GMT -5
Is the libero a florida based kid? Yes. |
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