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Post by bunnywailer on Nov 16, 2006 2:54:22 GMT -5
Height is less of a factor for a volleyball player in the attacking phase. You don't have to get over the block to be an effective hitter if you have great vision, attacking range (ability to hit all the possible attacks from a given set), and a fast arm.
Height IS a factor in the blocking phase. Even a 5'9" or 5'10" female volleyball player that can touch 10'2" with an approach jump will touch significantly less on a block jump. Also, even if a shorter player CAN touch the same block height as a taller player, the time-to-height ratio is better with the taller player. In other words, taller players get above and over the net on a block much quicker than a shorter player - so taller players can be less precise on their blocking footwork and block timing and still block better than shorter players, comparatively speaking. That's why you don't see 5'7" middle blockers at the elite levels of NCAA Division 1, no matter how good their attacking skills are.
And that is why shorter players must be more remarkable if they are going to succeed at the elite levels.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Nov 16, 2006 2:58:27 GMT -5
One last note on this, and then I am done with this thread. With all the excuses I am hearing about why Herring gets blocked, makes me now think that then that means LOTS of Hawaii's teams have a Herring type of player on their team. Anyways, my point was, I know she is good, but, how would she do on the next level with bigger blockers? Hell, that night of the State's Championship match, no one talked about how great Nordyke was, and she ended the night with 19 kills with 2 errors on 48 swings .354, but people talked about Herring (She had 19 kills with 5 errors on 42 swings .333 that night). Is it because she was on the YNT? Well, wasn't Meredith on that YNT too? She had 2 kills with 7 errors on 24 swings -.208 on that night. Ouch! Your response just seems so strange... you ask how Herring could be blocked by players smaller than her, and when answers are offered, you see them as nothing more than excuses. What's the point in asking the question, if you're simply going to dismiss the answer? And really there is no answer to that kind of question ... players get blocked for all sorts of reasons, and it happens to all of us no matter what level you play at. Herring certainly did get blocked a couple times during the final. But Punahou could never completely contain her -- in fact there were stretches during that match in which Herring simply took over. Let's also give credit to some of the Punahou girls who play H.S./club ball nearly all year round -- they've got game too. And we all know that the height of a player matters less in a good block than their positioning and how well it's formed. Is Herring all-world? Certainly not -- and nowhere on this thread was any poster demanding that you make such a declaration. Is she a great young talent who will be recruited by many a program? Definitely. What does getting blocked a couple times by shorter players at the high school level mean about her ability to challenge D1 blockers? My guess is... Not a whole lot. From watching all aspects of her game, she's athletic enough to make that transition to the college game just fine.
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Post by cbrown1709 on Nov 16, 2006 3:02:37 GMT -5
I don't think she will end up at Stanford. Is she only a sophomore this year?
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Post by thewacster on Nov 16, 2006 3:32:52 GMT -5
I don't think she will end up at Stanford. Is she only a sophomore this year? junior
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Post by pineapple on Nov 16, 2006 3:37:47 GMT -5
Height is less of a factor for a volleyball player in the attacking phase. You don't have to get over the block to be an effective hitter if you have great vision, attacking range (ability to hit all the possible attacks from a given set), and a fast arm. Height IS a factor in the blocking phase. Even a 5'9" or 5'10" female volleyball player that can touch 10'2" with an approach jump will touch significantly less on a block jump. Also, even if a shorter player CAN touch the same block height as a taller player, the time-to-height ratio is better with the taller player. In other words, taller players get above and over the net on a block much quicker than a shorter player - so taller players can be less precise on their blocking footwork and block timing and still block better than shorter players, comparatively speaking. That's why you don't see 5'7" middle blockers at the elite levels of NCAA Division 1, no matter how good their attacking skills are. And that is why shorter players must be more remarkable if they are going to succeed at the elite levels. Very good discussion. Thanks for the insight. Let me add one more observation about shorter attackers. Even if a 5'10" can hit over the block of say a 6'3," as the match goes into the 4th or 5th game, the shorter player would tire more quickly having have to jump higher, harder, than the taller player just to reach the same height. Two of Hawaii's greatest OH's, Tee Williams and Kim Willoughby, both of whom were less than 6', were faced with this predicament. Shorter players who attack must be in superb condition, must have great endurance and must be exceptional athletes as these two were. I saw Herring play a couple of matches. She may be one of this type of athletes. She is that good.
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Post by pineapple on Nov 16, 2006 4:43:15 GMT -5
One last note on this, and then I am done with this thread. With all the excuses I am hearing about why Herring gets blocked, makes me now think that then that means LOTS of Hawaii's teams have a Herring type of player on their team. Anyways, my point was, I know she is good, but, how would she do on the next level with bigger blockers? Hell, that night of the State's Championship match, no one talked about how great Nordyke was, and she ended the night with 19 kills with 2 errors on 48 swings .354, but people talked about Herring (She had 19 kills with 5 errors on 42 swings .333 that night). Is it because she was on the YNT? Well, wasn't Meredith on that YNT too? She had 2 kills with 7 errors on 24 swings -.208 on that night. Ouch! 36 skynerd puts it in perspective when he said "Height is less of a factor for a volleyball player in the attacking phase. You don't have to get over the block to be an effective hitter if you have great vision, attacking range (ability to hit all the possible attacks from a given set), and a fast arm." Nordyke was great! In fact, she stood out like a star! She is the prototype player in the same mold as Alix Klineman, tall and slim. I think the reason everyone is talking about Herring is that she reminds everyone of Tee Williams or Kim Willoughby. Herring is only about 5'10, 5'11"". Misty May, one of the all time greatest players in womens volleyball is only 5'9". As an attacking setter, she hardly hit over the block. She had great vision, attacking range and a fast arm. Another great player Logan Tom (6' 1") didn't have to hit over the block; although she could but she too had great vision and fast arm and hit smart. Herring too has great vision, a fast arm and hit smart. She doesn't have to hit over the block. While Nordyke at the match was the bright shining star, Herring was the diamond in the rough. While Nordyke was already there; Herring was still coming out and nobody wanted to miss any part of it.
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Post by kolohekeiki on Nov 16, 2006 7:31:14 GMT -5
What don't you understand everyone gets BLOCKED! who cares if those blockers are 5'6-5'8...they probably have decent hops as well. Just because Kanani can jump out of the gym it doesn't mean she will get over the block everytime. Get over it! Everyone gets blocked! 95% of the time she bangs the ball straight past or over the block. Once again, I know everyone gets blocked. Geez Louise, a person questions on how good Herring truly is and the twits come out of the woodworks and demands Herring gets all the praises of an All America player. I also find it funny, when I remember several years ago, YOU (Kolohekeiki) questioned if Cubi-Otineru would do good at the D1 level. Funny how times have changed, huh? No where in any of my posts did I say Kanani would automatically do well in DI! High school ball and college ball are two different worlds. I simply mentioned that EVERYONE gets blocked I didn't say anything about Kanani doing well at the college level. Regarding Aneli, yes she was an amazing attacker and player in high school, but that doesn't automatically make her an amazing player at the DI level and she is still yet to prove herself at the DI level. No where did I ever doubt there ability. I jus merely said that high school and DI are two different ball games. Same goes for Kanani, until she proves herself at the DI level. No where am I saying that I am doubting their ability to succeed at the DI level. I'm just saying that they still haven't proven themselves at the next level after proving themselves at the high school level.
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Post by Mix Breed-TEXAS,HI,LBSU on Nov 16, 2006 13:16:18 GMT -5
Does anyone know Kanani's rank this year as a junior? Or what # will she be ranked for next year? Is it anywhere near top 5 at least?
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Post by ooreo46 on Nov 16, 2006 14:53:04 GMT -5
Herring resembles Kleman-Maeva in a lot of ways. They are 5-9 - 5-10 but have incredible athleticism and vertical jumps. They can also play BACKROW DEFENSE.
Of course, high school ball requires much less dynamics and precision than college ball, so these type of hitters will simply sky and bang against high school teams. In college, they will be forced to adjust to huge blockers and effective backrow defense, finding seams, cutting shots past/over the block, and learning to tool. These girls have the velocity AND the repertoire of shots to compete in college ball.
I think given time, Kleman-Maeva and Herring will get lots of experience and become solid, all-around volleyball players.
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Post by foreignball on Nov 16, 2006 16:13:58 GMT -5
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Post by brybry2 on Nov 16, 2006 17:24:51 GMT -5
Yeah, I think it was Mireya Luis who was listed at 5'9 but closer to 5'8.
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Post by w2l on Nov 16, 2006 19:54:42 GMT -5
I have seen some of the greatest volleyball players in history get blocked. Infact, I still remember a comment from former University of Nevada standout, Salaia Salavea, when she was asked during an interview on "What was the most unforgettable moment in her career?" And she she said, "blocking Kim Willoughby!"
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