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Post by ballervolley on Aug 12, 2016 3:48:58 GMT -5
I don't think I noticed this until today but Kawika Shoji looks exactly like what a son of Dave and Mary Shoji should look like. He's got the features of both in all the right places. Erik, on the other hand, must be adopted. what's wrong with you
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 13, 2016 2:35:07 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 13, 2016 12:50:14 GMT -5
Win over Brazil team gives U.S. confidenceKawika Shoji / Special to the Star-AdvertiserAugust 13, 2016 Associated Press The United States’ Erik Shoji bumped the ball against Brazil at the 2016 Summer Olympics on Thursday.Good morning Hawaii! Due to some Olympic rules and regulations, I won’t be able to “blog” for the Star-Advertiser, but I will be able to answer the staff’s questions for you all. Here are my responses to some fun questions! Question: So the competition has started … what happened in your first two matches? Answer: Unfortunately, we came out of the blocks slowly against a very underrated Canadian team that as of late has been playing some really good volleyball. We served especially poorly, and they jumped on us and never let us off the hook. It was an ugly match, and a bad start. We held a players only meeting after the match to learn from our experience. Many of our guys were nervous in their first Olympic match and for whatever reason emotionally flat. We bonded late into the night and vowed to be the aggressor for the rest of the tournament. We owe it to ourselves, our coaches and everyone back home who supports us to do that. On Tuesday, we faced Italy, a familiar foe who is ranked a spot ahead of us at No. 4 in the world. Like we promised to do, we came out swinging early. Our aggressiveness and our competitive energy were there, but our execution, especially in crunch time, was not. We fell 3-1 and were extremely disappointed. It’s always more difficult to swallow when you give your absolute all and barely come up short. We did, however, take away some positives from the match. We played better and now understood how much emotion it was going to take to win an Olympic match. We would now have to fight for every single point to stay alive in the tournament. Q: After your recent win against No. 1 Brazil it seems like you guys have maybe turned it around? A: I am not sure we have turned it around completely — we still need a few more wins to advance out of the pool — but it was the result we needed at the moment. It doesn’t get much more challenging than playing the best team in the world on their home turf during the Olympic Games in a must-win match. I am so proud of our guys for the way we executed and the way we scrapped. All of our starters — Matt Anderson, David Lee, Max Holt, Aaron Russell, Taylor Sander, Erik Shoji, and Micah Christenson — had great matches. Micah and I discussed offensive strategy throughout the match and he executed it superbly. Erik was phenomenal all night in serve reception and defense. His relentless pursuit in the backrow was inspiring. If you have some time, go check out some of the long rallies throughout the match online. Some are saying it was one of the best volleyball matches ever played. The rallies were amazing! Q: How was the atmosphere at the match? A: It was hostile. It was loud. It was fun. We had a small USA cheering section, but every time they started chanting, 12,000 Brazilians booed us and drowned them out. Fans were dancing, waving flags and screaming. Some gave us the thumbs up in approval, others the middle finger. It was a great sporting event. Q: What’s next? A: We face a very good France team today. We have to continue to build on our efforts and again win. I think if we continue to play the same way, we will be just fine, but this next match will again be an enormous test. I hope you all get to tune in! U.S. Olympic team setter Kawika Shoji is blogging from the Rio Games for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. His items will run occasionally, but readers can follow him daily on Twitter @kshoji7 and Instagram at kshoji7. Follow Hawaii’s other two volleyball Olympians on Twitter: Erik Shoji @shojinator and Micah Christenson @mchristenson5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 14, 2016 12:44:49 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 14, 2016 12:46:54 GMT -5
Ferd's Words
Having 2 sons in Olympics a huge surprise to Shoji
By Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Star-Advertiser
August 13, 2016
These are the days that Dave Shoji had hardly dared to imagine even in his most untethered dreams.
They are days, having defied long odds, that have moved his family, lock stock and aunties, from veteran couch viewers of Olympic volleyball more than 8,200 miles to front and center seats of these Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Even when he glimpsed past Olympics from their Manoa home — and he watched plenty of them side by side with sons Kawika and Erik over the years — it was hard to place them in the red-white-and-blue picture frame of the future.
“It never really crossed my mind that it could happen like this until lately,” Dave said. “I mean, I never imagined that they would both make the team (together) until almost when it happened.”
There had been no historical precedent for what the Shojis have accomplished as a brother duo making the same squad for the U. S.
But once again today seeing will be believing as the U. S. takes on France in an important pool-play match with potential medal-round ramifications at Maracanazinho Arena.
“Growing up they were pretty much normal kids,” Dave said. “Obviously they loved volleyball and grew up around it, but that doesn’t mean you are going to make the Olympic team. I mean, everybody has dreams, but it was never a thought then that they could make the team (together).”
Dave said, “We watched every (volleyball) match on TV as much as possible. We actually watched the women more than the men because of the former players we had and the ones (Hawaii) played against. But I don’t recall ever talking about both (sons) making it. I don’t think they talked about it.”
Even when both starred at Stanford, Olympic possibilities were barely kicked around. “They showed signs of being among the elite players in college, but that doesn’t automatically translate into being an international player,” Shoji said. “For them, they were just concentrating on making the next team, wherever that was.”
Erik opened eyes immediately, “I started thinking, ‘He’s got a shot at making the national team,’” Shoji recalls. ” It was clear he had the ability to play at a real high level, but, still, the Olympics? They were still a long way off and you never know. Maybe two years ago when he had begun to establish himself, I felt like he was ahead of every other libero in statistics like digs and passing, I started to think he might have a chance if he could maintain his status and play up to his ability.”
But Kawika, as a setter, had a longer, more roundabout road. One that would take him through a pro league in Finland. And there would be deeper competition, including from Kamehameha Schools graduate Micah Christenson, the third Hawaii member of this Olympic team.
“When you are a backup, like Kawika, you’re constantly on the hot seat,” Dave said. “You’re just one spot away from not making the team. All the way to the final naming of the team, we just didn’t know for sure.”
One more among several reasons why this remains a daily pinch-me experience.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 17, 2016 14:50:47 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 17, 2016 14:51:01 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 17, 2016 14:52:46 GMT -5
haha ...
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 17, 2016 19:07:40 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 19, 2016 11:13:47 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 19, 2016 21:42:20 GMT -5
U.S. men’s volleyball team loses to Italy in semifinalsAssociated Press August 19, 2016 Updated August 19, 2016 3:47pm www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sports-breaking/u-s-men-lose-5-set-semifinal-to-italy/ ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ Kawika Shoji reacts after losing a men’s semifinal volleyball match against Italy at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Italy’s Ivan Zaytsev (9) spikes the ball as United States’ Micah Christenson (11), Matthew Anderson (1), David Lee (4), and Aaron Russell (2) defend during a men’s semifinal volleyball match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Members of the United States’ team, left, react after losing a men’s semifinal volleyball match against Italy at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today. RIO DE JANEIRO » Max Holt did a little bit of everything. At the net, digging balls from just off the floor, finishing points with big, leaping swings. He and David Lee stuffed the Italians with stellar blocking. Setter Micah Christenson of Hawaii contributed his own blocks and even a kill to end the third set. Matt Anderson, Aaron Russell and Taylor Sander provided power hitting from every corner. Kamehameha graduate Christenson had 47 assists, three kills and two blocks. Libero Erik Shoji, a Punahou grad, finished with 13 digs and an assist. Reserve setter Kawika Shoji, an ‘Iolani grad, did not play. Mighty Italy just had a little more in a match that will surely become an Olympic volleyball classic. For nearly 2 1/2 hours today, the young, overachieving Americans stayed with an Italian group that U.S. coach John Speraw considers the world’s most talented and destined for gold in Brazil. The Americans, who began the tournament with an 0-2 start that included a loss to Italy 10 days earlier, ran off four straight victories before falling in a riveting five-set semifinal that Italy won 30-28, 26-28, 9-25, 25-22, 15-9. “This team fought the entire time,” Lee said. “Losing that first set made us fight even harder. We couldn’t sustain that same level we had in the second and third to put the team out in the fourth set. We had an advantage in the fourth, we had a small lull in energy and that’s when they came back, and they have such good servers that team can come back at any time and be back in a game. You can never count them out.” The Italians will play for gold Sunday against the winner of today’s semifinal between defending champion Russia and host Brazil. “It was strange. There was a really strong force inside us telling us, ‘Don’t give up, keep fighting,’” Italy’s Ivan Zaytsev said. His team fought, all right. Afterward, the players fell to the floor, piling on each other. Lee brought his American teammates into a huddle for an embrace. Then Anderson and Sander clapped to the crowd as the U.S. waited at the net to shake hands with the winners. In the fifth set, Osmany Juantorena served an ace for a 12-8 lead and Russell let a ball drop as Holt covered his face with his shirt. After an embarrassing third-set flop, Italy forced a deciding fifth set by closing the fourth on a 6-0 run — getting three straight aces by Zaytsev, including the next-to-last point that was initially called long but overturned on review for set point. “Today, the teams have played more than a match,” Italy coach Gianlorenzo Blengini said. The American men have eight first-time Olympians. “I’m really sad this team didn’t make it because they’re so good and they deserved to be in the final,” said Lee, who won gold in Beijing eight years ago and is in his third Olympics. “I don’t care about how old they are. They’re fighters.” Italy ended the American men’s gold-medal aspirations for a second straight Olympics. The U.S. will play for bronze, just like the top-ranked American women, who lost in five sets to Serbia on Thursday. The intensity of today’s match was captured in a wild first set in which the Americans had five set points. With the score 25-25, Italy’s Massimo Colaci made a lunging, one-handed get from the ground before teammate Filippo Lanza sent the ball over the net from his knees near the baseline to keep the rally going. The score was tied again, at 28. Russell signaled that Italy captain Emanuele Birarelli’s serve was going out and let the ball drop. Italy’s players rushed the net to argue to referee Arturo di Giacomo of Belgium, contending the Americans touched the ball. He overruled the call and what had gone to a 29-28 lead for the U.S. suddenly turned to 29-28 for Italy, which won the set 30-28. “My players gave it everything that they could today. I couldn’t ask any more,” Speraw said. “I almost feel today we need to mourn.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ Maxwell Holt reacts after losing a men’s semifinal volleyball match against Italy at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Italy’s Oleg Antonov celebrates with his teammates during a men’s semifinal volleyball match against the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today.
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 19, 2016 22:11:28 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 22, 2016 4:03:25 GMT -5
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 22, 2016 15:11:08 GMT -5
U.S. men’s volleyball takes bronze in RioAssociated Press August 21, 2016 Updated August 21, 2016 10:40am www.staradvertiser.com/breaking-news/u-s-mens-volleyball-takes-bronze-in-rio-reid-priddy-goes-out-in-style/
ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ Matthew Anderson (1), William Reid Priddy, center, and Erik Shoji celebrate during a men’s bronze medal volleyball match against Russia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Members of the United States’ team stand to receive their bronze medals during an awarding ceremony for men’s volleyball at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ William Reid Priddy celebrates during a men’s bronze medal volleyball match against Russia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RIO DE JANEIRO >> Reid Priddy could take his Brazilian bow. One of the biggest ambassadors in men’s volleyball for more than a decade, the 38-year-old American ended his fourth and final indoor Olympics in spectacular fashion Sunday, leading a five-set comeback that carried the U.S. to the bronze medal with a victory over defending champion Russia. Yet Priddy will be remembered for far more than a medal. That he even suited up was an achievement. And it wasn’t lost on those who played alongside him, watching as he recovered from a career-threatening knee injury — especially important to the younger players, who relished the chance to learn from him. “I won before this game started,” Priddy said. He leapt high for kill after kill, blocked his heart out, dived to the floor all day to keep points alive. Priddy played the most he has in these Olympics on the final day at Maracanazinho arena, pulling his teammates into quick huddles between points, patting them on the back and high-fiving at every chance. With chants of “U-S-A!,” the Americans rallied from two sets down to deny the 2012 London champs, 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13. Brazil won gold in a straight-set win over Italy later in the day. “It was hard especially at the end there to just focus, a lot of emotions,” Priddy said. “It was special. Even before this game, I came to terms with the fact the relationships, the experiences, were worth it the last two years. All the growth, all the hardship.” Priddy bent his knees and pumped his arms when Matt Anderson pounded one ball home. And when Anderson ended it on another kill, Priddy found himself in the middle of a huge hug. Now, change may be coming for a man who has left such a legacy for the program. He will try to make it in beach volleyball. And, if his body cooperates, he will try to compete in Tokyo for one more Olympics. “Reid Priddy was on fire,” captain David Lee said. “I dedicate this match to him. He’s one of the reasons we got this medal. He should be incredibly proud of the way he finished his career indoors.” Two months ago, Priddy became the improbable pick for coach John Speraw’s 12-man roster. And Sunday marked a moment to celebrate for the outside hitter following the injury to his right knee two years ago in Bulgaria. He landed awkwardly after a high-flying hit, then lay face to the floor grimacing, his taped hand gripping his right knee. Doctors used a tendon from his left knee to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right. Priddy’s shoes for the bronze match read “Far” on one and “Greater” on the other. As he waited for knee surgery, his career in jeopardy, he went to church one day. “I don’t do this a lot, but I had a burst of faith,” he said. “It was one of those times, of maybe two times in my life, where an inaudible-audible voice said what I’m going to do is far greater.” Earlier this year, the father of two traveled to Italy to play professionally and find his rhythm leading to Rio. His wife and kids were there to greet him Sunday. Priddy was just the second four-time Olympian for U.S. men’s volleyball, and three-timer Lee has already said he is done with the national team after Rio. Together they captured gold in the 2008 Beijing Games. Now, Priddy and Lee are ready to go, knowing the program is in the hands of talented youngsters. Speraw’s players made the most of team meetings to get back on track in Rio, and the first-time Olympic coach is ready to use this learning experience and push on. At some point, he will take time to thank Priddy again. “More than anything,” Speraw said, “I’m just so happy for him.”
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Post by Cubicle No More ... on Aug 22, 2016 15:13:44 GMT -5
awesome picture in this article from usa volleyball ... ========== Back From The Brink, American Men Revel In Hard-Earned Volleyball BronzeBY NICK MCCARVEL | AUG. 21, 2016, 12:58 P.M. (ET) United States team celebrates as they secure the bronze medal during the men's bronze medal match between United States and Russia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracanazinho on Aug. 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.Excerpt: "RIO DE JANEIRO – David Lee and Reid Priddy, the lone two members of the U.S. men’s volleyball team that were part of the gold-medal-winning American squad at the Beijing Olympics, stood side by side in the media mixed zone on Sunday afternoon, smiles plastered on their faces. No, this was not a repeat of that gold medal, but it was a medal nonetheless, and perhaps one of the hardest-earned wins of their respective and respected careers – coming back from two sets down to beat reigning Olympic champion Russia – and giving Team USA its first men’s medal at the Games since that gold eight years ago. “Let’s stay out here as long as we have to,” Priddy, now 38, said he told his teammates on court. “Down 0-2 I was a little worried,” admitted Lee, 34, the team’s captain. “If you saw the looks on some of the guys’ faces, it just didn’t look like we were in the game yet. But we just turned on a switch, the energy came out of nowhere.” It’s the kind of energy an Olympic medal will bring out of you, the American men storming back against the Russians to win in unlikely fashion, 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19, 15-13 inside an electric Maracanãzinho arena." Full story: www.teamusa.org/News/2016/August/21/US-Men-Mount-Furious-Comeback-Beat-Russia-For-Volleyball-Bronze
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