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Post by thenetset on May 6, 2013 19:30:26 GMT -5
Count me with those saying "indoor or beach, not both." They're too different to be elite at both. Being very good at both? That's probably possible, for an outstanding athlete. But splitting your focus won't help a player max out their potential on either side.
I looked at the France roster and I was slightly surprised to see Kevin Tillie on it. Does he figure to play? Needless to say, he hasn't been preparing and training with World League in mind. The pot of gold at the end of his rainbow came a couple nights ago.
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Post by 5280volleyball on May 6, 2013 19:44:49 GMT -5
Count me with those saying "indoor or beach, not both." They're too different to be elite at both. Being very good at both? That's probably possible, for an outstanding athlete. But splitting your focus won't help a player max out their potential on either side. I looked at the France roster and I was slightly surprised to see Kevin Tillie on it. Does he figure to play? Needless to say, he hasn't been preparing and training with World League in mind. The pot of gold at the end of his rainbow came a couple nights ago. Tillie started for France in the London Olympics. He's a big part of that team's future and present. |
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Post by thenetset on May 6, 2013 20:00:07 GMT -5
Tillie started for France in the London Olympics. He's a big part of that team's future and present. ?? France didn't qualify anyone for volleyball to the London Olympics. Neither indoor team, nor any beach pairs. Are you talking about qualification events? And I have no doubt that he's a big piece of the puzzle going forward. My questions are more about training to be at his best for the NCAA season and championships, and then playing events some weeks and months later. Seems pretty hard to be at a physical peak for that long. But I could be wrong about that, easily (that's...why I'm asking!  ) |
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Post by lionsarm on May 6, 2013 21:05:46 GMT -5
France didn't make the olympics.
Tillie was however on their world league team last year (started the last few rounds, including leading the team to victory over the usa in dallas)
He has since been a consistent starter for france with earvin ngapeth, last event being Euro championship qualifying during the fall.
he has essentially been playing for a year and a half straight alternating from uci/france. i don't doubt all of it compounded with numerous injuries toward the end of this season. he definitely needs a break.
i remember during interviews this season he mentioned that after winning the title last year, he got on the plane the next morning back to france for world league preparations/olympic qualification preparations. though i think this year he has a bit more time to relax and charge up before world league season starts.
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Post by jna on May 7, 2013 9:36:53 GMT -5
Count me with those saying "indoor or beach, not both." They're too different to be elite at both. Being very good at both? That's probably possible, for an outstanding athlete. But splitting your focus won't help a player max out their potential on either side. I looked at the France roster and I was slightly surprised to see Kevin Tillie on it. Does he figure to play? Needless to say, he hasn't been preparing and training with World League in mind. The pot of gold at the end of his rainbow came a couple nights ago. I disagree. I see no problem of doing both. Tony Ciarelli is a gifted athlete that is able of executing the fundaments of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball now playing on one, now playing on another. At first I was shocked for not seeing Taylor Sander on the roster, but now I know that he will probably be the leader of the team that will be sent to the World University Games. I know many are going to disagree of me but I would have picked Joe Sunder over Garrett Muagututia for this team. |
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Post by USAFAN on May 7, 2013 12:06:22 GMT -5
Ciarelli has not proven himself at the international level indoors or on the beach. Is it possible for an athlete to exceed at both disciplines? Yes. Is it likely? No. And even more of a no when it comes to Ciarelli. He's good but he's not exceptional. I anticipate we'll see Lotman at the OH2 spot with Anderson. Menzel and Sander are not elite passers and have MUCH work to do in that department. I'd almost rather have Menzel just convert to an OPP.
Don't know why people are so hung up on age. Particularly when it comes to Lambourne. As a libero he has far less wear and tear. I also wouldn't look past Reft. Shoji is known for his spectacular defense but Reft is well-respected for his abilities.
Holt looked a hell a lot more impressive than Holmes to me. David Smith is also a talent I'd like to see further developed.
Great to see the setter selection. If there is any position that needed a refreshing it was that. I anticipate that they won't make the final round but it'll be a great learning experience for the group nonetheless. GO USA!
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2013 13:37:17 GMT -5
So many people on VT just don't get it when it comes to international ball. Being successful at the international level has very little to do with physical abilities (how high you jump, how hard you serve, how spectacular you hit). The real factor for success is how well you know and understand the game, and how good your mental skills are.
There are so many international players who, if you measured them on the Vertec, or put the speed gun on their spikes, or looked at their ages, would not even come close to the numbers that some of the young guys on Team USA can put up. But they are far better VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS internationally because they have superior skills at reading the play, are steadier over the course of an entire match, and very rarely make unforced errors.
Some USA players will never acquire those types of skills or abilities, no matter how long they play internationally. There's more than a few on the World League roster already who fall into that category.
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Post by bAnthony on May 7, 2013 14:35:38 GMT -5
I will probably be the only BYU fan to say this, but I would love it if Sander left college early to play in Italy, Germany, Turkey, or Poland. I know he wouldn't be a starter or even see the court outside of friendly games at first, but I think he would grow a lot. Hopefully that would help his serve receive game.
Lottman has really grown on me as the OH2 choice. I am not necessarily sold on David Smith, but I have only seen Tours play a few matches this year. I think Max Holt has had the best season of any American this year.
I am excited for World League. I am not expecting great things, but something to watch in the summer other than baseball is always welcomed.
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Post by jna on May 7, 2013 15:20:15 GMT -5
So many people on VT just don't get it when it comes to international ball. Being successful at the international level has very little to do with physical abilities (how high you jump, how hard you serve, how spectacular you hit). The real factor for success is how well you know and understand the game, and how good your mental skills are. There are so many international players who, if you measured them on the Vertec, or put the speed gun on their spikes, or looked at their ages, would not even come close to the numbers that some of the young guys on Team USA can put up. But they are far better VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS internationally because they have superior skills at reading the play, are steadier over the course of an entire match, and very rarely make unforced errors. Some USA players will never acquire those types of skills or abilities, no matter how long they play internationally. There's more than a few on the World League roster already who fall into that category. Would you mind telling us who those players are, volleycraig?. Obviously, it's only your opinion. Right!. |
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Post by byufan on May 7, 2013 15:48:49 GMT -5
Not to take away anything from all the outstanding middles named to the roster, but just to point out that as of the end of the last quad, Russell Holmes was the #1 middle on team USA. He was second among all blockers at the London games in pool play. Since USA did not advance we won't know what he could have done in playoffs. As I have watched him closely now for years, he is a steadying force on every team he has played on, emotionally controlled and professional. He is an amazing talent who everywhere he has gone to play could always be counted on to come up with big plays.
It will be an exciting quadrennial to watch these players develope over the next four years under the gifted coaching of John Speraw. Plenty of veteran experience mixed with young talent that will only improve under the direction of coach Speraw.
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Post by simonsun on May 8, 2013 1:27:21 GMT -5
The position they need to figure out is not the outside or middle. Anderson/Lotman will do okay for now, and there're Menzel/Lawson/Ciarelli in line. Middle is looking good with Lee/Holmes/Holt/Smith. Same with libero. E. Shoji is the apparent heir.
The troubling position is the setter and opposite. Do you go with the younger K. Shoji/Caldwell from the beginning, or keep on trying Thornton/Ammerman? Who's to succeed Stanley? Can Murphy/Clark carry the load? Or do you still have hope in Patek?
The S/OPP combination is probably the key in the near future. After that it's the development of OH2 and L.
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Post by future on May 8, 2013 5:35:50 GMT -5
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Post by jna on May 8, 2013 9:46:44 GMT -5
The position they need to figure out is not the outside or middle. Anderson/Lotman will do okay for now, and there're Menzel/Lawson/Ciarelli in line. Middle is looking good with Lee/Holmes/Holt/Smith. Same with libero. E. Shoji is the apparent heir. The troubling position is the setter and opposite. Do you go with the younger K. Shoji/Caldwell from the beginning, or keep on trying Thornton/Ammerman? Who's to succeed Stanley? Can Murphy/Clark carry the load? Or do you still have hope in Patek? The S/OPP combination is probably the key in the near future. After that it's the development of OH2 and L. I'd go with Shoji/Ammerman at setter. They were the responsible for leading team USA to the title of Pan Am Cup 2012. At opposite, well...I think that Evan Patak still deserves a vote of confidence based on what he showed in 2009. Fivb even wrote a especial post dedicated to him affirming that Evan would become the next big gun for USA as I recall. I do believe he is a giant asleep. But the one I am most excited to see is Jeff Menzel. I want to see him jump over the net and banging like a cannon.  |
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Post by volleyhitter on May 8, 2013 9:59:35 GMT -5
I think at setter we will see a changing of the guard. Thornton/Ammerman bring experience, so we will see them in the mix in the short term, but they have shown they are not the long term answer. Caldwell and Shoji represent the young talent, but with Speraw's preference for blocking and attacking skills at the setter position, I expect we will see Caldwell eventually emerge as the leader. I agree that Stanley's successor at opp is wide open; it will be interesting to see who steps up. It sounds like Speraw is still hoping/expecting Stanley to be back in 2016 and will use the next 3 years to develop the others.
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Post by bAnthony on May 8, 2013 10:56:33 GMT -5
At oppo I would like to see Murphy Troy. He had a solid season for Latina. He is playing at a high level in possibly the best league in the world.
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