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Post by volleyballjim on Feb 28, 2015 16:54:58 GMT -5
I was taken at the reflexive way PB'ers took the Summer/Day breakup (if I am correct). They saw the demise of Summer and had lots of reasons. I wasn't buying it, after watching her, and said so here, so the question persists: Who IS Summer Ross? A solid handsetter and player who is top tier and can propel herself and partner to Rio? She certainly made a case this week, regardless of Sunday in Rio and the "limited format" of play, but wonder what she looked like there and another year into her beach career in 2015? Since most of us didn't see a match, was it Fopma? I seriously doubt it and I say Summer IS the real deal and the reason the rbounding Fopma has found herself in the gold medal match...IHMO, of course ; - )
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Post by haze on Mar 1, 2015 15:52:09 GMT -5
Should be blocking. I know it's early but from what I saw against Brazil she was playing defense and has no business playing defense. I really do not like her game, but she's good. Her lazy and nonchalant demeanor and the perception that she doesn't play hard makes it very hard to cheer for her. She's a good player though and only going to get better. I will say I don't think she has any business playing defense but we will see what happens this season.
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Post by volleyballjim on Mar 1, 2015 23:26:28 GMT -5
Well Fopma was the "lead" in her per-pregnancy time, so she's obviously comfortable with that which, I guess, leaves Summer on "D". As the old saying goes, "Don't confuse EFFORTS with RESULTS" . . . 2nd place with a partner returning from maternity leave and taking 2014 OFF . . . something to contemplate...
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Post by graham on Mar 2, 2015 0:01:52 GMT -5
I agree with haze, Summer should not be playing D (or has a lot of work to do to become a good defender). I watched pretty much all of the matches this past weekend. The US women were not very successful. Day/Kessy 0-4, Fendrick/Sweat and Walsh/Ross both 1-3. Fopma/Summer only made the "Finals" because a US team HAD to be in it. They were 2-2 in pool play and got smoked in the Finals, finishing 2-3. Not really a 2nd place finish. Summer ran down a total of 3 balls on defense in the finals. One was off a Fopma block, one was a poorly executed jumbo shot, only one was a legitimate "read the hitter, run down the shot" play (I'm not counting balls hit directly at her, even Doherty had a couple digs when he had to sub in for Nick and play D in their match against Rego/Santos). I will say her attacking was much improved. Her footwork was very consistent and fluid, her timing and jump were very strong, overall she seemed much more aggressive when attacking the ball! Summer's greatest advantage is her age, at 22 she still has plenty of opportunity to improve, but her foot speed still seems to be an issue. That "first step quickness" is important, and she just doesn't seem to have it.
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Post by volleyballjim on Mar 2, 2015 1:46:28 GMT -5
Thanks granham; since you saw it, we have to go with that...Good point about US needed in finals (never realized that). Still a "Summer Fan", but I guess a "little early" to buy the flight to Rio, no? LOL
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Post by guest2 on Mar 2, 2015 6:35:23 GMT -5
The first thing that occurred to me reading this is that this was not a real 2nd, but Summer/Fop did go 2-2 in pool against Brazil's best so its not as if it was a bad showing (particularly in February)
The player Summer should model her game after is Canyon Ceman. Similar great hands, height and limited physical ability. I dont know what Summer should be doing long term, defense or blocking, but Jen is a blocker. Summer's game needs to be siding out. She is not going to outscore teams on either defense or at the net.
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Post by wang pu on Mar 3, 2015 20:54:16 GMT -5
Well Fopma was the "lead" in her per-pregnancy time, so she's obviously comfortable with that which, I guess, leaves Summer on "D". As the old saying goes, "Don't confuse EFFORTS with RESULTS" . . . 2nd place with a partner returning from maternity leave and taking 2014 OFF . . . something to contemplate... Fopma didn't have a baby did she? |
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Post by volleyballjim on Mar 3, 2015 22:30:25 GMT -5
My bad! Kropp had the baby...Hmmmm....have some research to do on Fopma and her pairing with Summer...I'll be back!
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Post by wang pu on Mar 4, 2015 0:15:58 GMT -5
My bad! Kropp had the baby...Hmmmm....have some research to do on Fopma and her pairing with Summer...I'll be back! LOL......I thought you were mixing Fopma and Kessy! I think that Fopma is an underrated blocker. Unfortunately for her, Walsh and a pre-baby Kessy are better blockers. Fopma needs a good defender behind her. Not saying that Summer isn't it, yet. But if Summer is willing to work, they have as good a shot for 2020 as any team now. Although, Fopma-Carico is an interesting combo. Going in circles here, time to call it a night! |
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Post by guest2 on Mar 4, 2015 14:40:34 GMT -5
Kessey?
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