Willoughby to Puerto Rico, but still USA bound

[Nutter]

Didn't Toshi also want Logan Tom to play more VB in the pro leagues to get more used to the style of play? He may have said something to the others that were invited to CS to try out for the National Team.

[USAFAN]

I think the difference between last Olympics and this Olympics is the caliber of the rest of the team. During 2000 Kerri, Logan, and Heather were all expected to make huge impacts on the squad because they had struggled the previous years and were in need of talent. Plus they hadn't qualified in the World Cup, so the vets were at the OTC for longer because they had to qualify in the Norceca. Heather, Kerri, and Logan had to be in the gym because they weren't just vying for a spot, they were expected to produce.

However this time around, the team is pretty solid and well balanced. Even if Kim makes the team, she probably won't be starting, so her services aren't as desperately needed as the players in 2000. There are probably relatively few players at the OTC now, while all the vets are away with their clubs, so I don't see why Kim wouldn't want to make some quick money, and keep her skills polished. April to July is enough time for her to make the transition, and she won't really have much pressure on her once she makes the team.

I think she should be pretty confident with her chances. We all know of her capabilites and she is one of the great outside hitters to come around in awhile. She has the mix of skills, athleticism, and drive. Plust Danielle Scott is her cousin, so I am guessing she will get along great with the team. Even if she doesn't make it this time, even she has stated that there are other options if the Olympics doesn't work out and she could always go for 2008.

[doctordubya]

Does anyone know how much the top players in Serie A1 are paid? On the men's side, it seems that salaries of the real superstars have actually gone down over the past decade or so. I remember that Bas Van der Goor was the highest paid player in A1, getting $750,000 per season a few years back, but then Kiraly and Timmons played for $1 million each in the late 80s/early 90s. How do women's salaries compare?

[sIsam]

Nowhere close I'd think. Though this is just an educated guess, I'd expect Top Serie A wages to be in the $100-300K range.....

[eyejumphigh]

I have a hard time seeing Kim make the national team for the 2004 Olympics. Learning the system will take much longer than the 3 or so months that she has and the current squad is very good. I understand that she is an outstanding physical talent, but her ball control is absolutely suspect at the international level and I bet she finds that out in Puerto Rico. I honestly think that Cynthia has the best shot out of all the invites of making the squad. That is if she decides to go to Co Springs. I feel she is much more polised right now than Willoughby.

[IdahoBoy]

eyejumphigh said:

I have a hard time seeing Kim make the national team for the 2004 Olympics. Learning the system will take much longer than the 3 or so months that she has and the current squad is very good. I understand that she is an outstanding physical talent, but her ball control is absolutely suspect at the international level and I bet she finds that out in Puerto Rico. I honestly think that Cynthia has the best shot out of all the invites of making the squad. That is if she decides to go to Co Springs. I feel she is much more polised right now than Willoughby.

I think I understand what you're trying to say, but saying that Kim's ball control IS suspect at the international level is an inaccurate statement because she hasn't played "officially" against that level (with small exception of Samordak exhibition match).

If you THINK that her ball control might be suspect, perhaps you should add the modifier rather than upset a lot of friends and fans of Kim's.

It will be interesting to see how she does at whatever level she does end up at.

[brybry]

ucla said:

I am not surprised that she feels confident about her chances. She could make it as the third outside hitter, Cross Battle should really step aside, and though Metcalf played on the outside occasionally, she really had trouble terminating on the left against the the top teams, I watched the match between china and usa on televison and Metcalf is not effective on the left, Team USA need a player like Kim

I wonder how intense the competition is in Puerto Rico. Not sure if it's worthwhile unless it provides Kim a mini-break from serious training. Burn out could be an issue.

[Jalap]

I am so happy to hear that Kim still has a shot of making the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. I was really dissapointed because I was looking forward to watching her play again. It's cool to think that there is potential for five players with Hawaii ties to make the U.S. Olympic team.

[USAFAN]

eyejumphigh said:

I have a hard time seeing Kim make the national team for the 2004 Olympics. Learning the system will take much longer than the 3 or so months that she has and the current squad is very good. I understand that she is an outstanding physical talent, but her ball control is absolutely suspect at the international level and I bet she finds that out in Puerto Rico. I honestly think that Cynthia has the best shot out of all the invites of making the squad. That is if she decides to go to Co Springs. I feel she is much more polised right now than Willoughby.

Umm....Cynthia Barboza more polished than the NCAA player of the year? I think not. While Cynthia did make the Pan American team and play, she wasn't completely dominant, and definitely wasn't the best player on the team. Cynthia is a good prospect, but she is many years away from making the Olympic team.

[eyejumphigh]

Having said that Kim's ball control is suspect I stand by that. I am sorry if people get upset over what I feel is an accurate comment. People cant take criticism? That's rediculous. Besides, USA is preparing with the idea that they wont have Willoughby so she isnt going to CO SPRINGS. Secondly, Kim winning national player of the year was a great honor. However, I think that many people were very surprised by that award. Aury Cruz is by far the more well rounded outside hitter. Now I am sure that some are going to get bent out of shape on that comment too.

Barboza: 16 years old. Starting at the PAN AM games in a system that she has only played 2-3 months in while having older, more physically mature teammates on her squad. Ok so she didnt lead the tournament in points scored. But I honestly think that if Cynthia is good enough to start at an international tournament at 16yrs old.. that she may have a more complete game than Kim. Now, I am not saying that she is as strong, or as powerful, but I am saying that I think she is better. Kim may have started on that squad as well, but I think the achievements by Cynthia speak for themselves.

[roofed!]

I am copying this from the Hawaiian news articlethe.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/10/sp/sp01a.html:

Willoughby's decision to play professionally will likely mean that she won't able to compete for a roster spot at this year's Olympics on Aug. 13-29, in Athens, Greece, according to a USA Volleyball official.

"Everybody is talking about the Olympics, but the Olympics is not a dream goal for me," Willoughby said. "I mean (the Olympics is) great. It's the highest level you can accomplish in volleyball, but it's not something that I have to do or my life is over."

Tom Pingel, Director of USA Volleyball High Performance National Programs, said USA Volleyball is preparing to play without Willoughby, a three-time All-American. Incoming college players, such as Willoughby, must report to Colorado next week for practice if they intend to compete for the national team, he said.

"As far as we know, Kim is going to Puerto Rico and playing for the team there," Pingel said. "We certainly would have liked to see her come in and take a shot. We're going with the idea she's not coming here."

Shoji said Willoughby's decision to play professionally "might be the best route for her to make a living at the sport."

"Everybody has the Olympics as a dream, but in reality, you have to take care of yourself to live," Shoji said. "So I just wish her well, and I hope she's chosen the best route which will be determined in the future."

[Overlycheerful]

I'm not bent out of shape, although I am out of shape.

However, I strongly disagree:

*I don't think ANYONE was "surprised" that Kim W won the POY. I doubt it was even close.

*CB is nowhere near the player KW is. Yet.

Whether KW has the ability to be an International player remains to be seen and I have no problem with those who have their doubts. But, again, I think the prevailing opinion of those whose opinions count is that she does.

[wang pu]

Over the past few weeks we've heard many different stories from Kim's mouth abouth what she wants to do, finish school, play in the Olympics, not play in the Olympics, play pro. We must remember that she is still young. Many college students her age do not know what they want to do, either. In time, things will fall into place for her. Good Luck Kim!

[roy]

eyejumphigh said:

Having said that Kim's ball control is suspect I stand by that. I am sorry if people get upset over what I feel is an accurate comment. People cant take criticism? That's rediculous. Besides, USA is preparing with the idea that they wont have Willoughby so she isnt going to CO SPRINGS. Secondly, Kim winning national player of the year was a great honor. However, I think that many people were very surprised by that award. Aury Cruz is by far the more well rounded outside hitter. Now I am sure that some are going to get bent out of shape on that comment too.

Barboza: 16 years old. Starting at the PAN AM games in a system that she has only played 2-3 months in while having older, more physically mature teammates on her squad. Ok so she didnt lead the tournament in points scored. But I honestly think that if Cynthia is good enough to start at an international tournament at 16yrs old.. that she may have a more complete game than Kim. Now, I am not saying that she is as strong, or as powerful, but I am saying that I think she is better. Kim may have started on that squad as well, but I think the achievements by Cynthia speak for themselves.

I think one of the weaker parts to Willoughby's game is her passing. She seems to handle a jump serve rather well, but floaters tend to be her downfall. She doesn't pass those on the money for the setter. But she is still a very good passer.

I do disagree that people were surprised by Willoughby getting POY. I think a lot of the Gator fans as well as the USC fans will agree that Willoughby was the frontrunner for the award. While Cruz and Ross were also great players who did challenge for the award, Willoughby getting the award over Cruz wasn't much of a shock.

[GatorVball]

roy said:

I think one of the weaker parts to Willoughby's game is her passing. She seems to handle a jump serve rather well, but floaters tend to be her downfall. She doesn't pass those on the money for the setter. But she is still a very good passer.

I do disagree that people were surprised by Willoughby getting POY. I think a lot of the Gator fans as well as the USC fans will agree that Willoughby was the frontrunner for the award. While Cruz and Ross were also great players who did challenge for the award, Willoughby getting the award over Cruz wasn't much of a shock.

I think you misunderstand. I wasn't in the least bit surprised she got POY, but for someone who was supposed to be SO much better than everyone else in the country and touted as such on this board all season long, she didn't look like it in Dallas. I understand it's just one match and you shouldn't judge based on just one match, but it was the biggest match of her career.