Ross/Walsh JenningsWhere do they finish?

[greenpier]

Ross/Walsh Jennings/Where do they finish?

[swim4life107]

I don't see any team that can beat Kerri/April except Germany #1/Brazil #1. If pools hold, they shouldn't even be facing them before the final. They seem to always edge Germany, but Brazil presents a matchup issue. Remember, Brazil is also prone to choking. Hoping the field takes care of Brazil for Kerri/April. I also think the format favors them. Playing a consistent high level for 2-3 matches per day for 3 or 4 days in a row on the FIVB is a tough ask for Kerri these days. 7 matches in 2 weeks where you have individual time to prepare for each team and have time to recover after each match? I think if you consider that this could be their best tournament of the year (form wise).

[bigfan]

Larissa França is the player everyone should most be concerned about....................when she gets going she is the best player in the world.

[ardatak]

Their recent streak, combined with past Olympic experience and ice cold gangster clutchness under pressure favors US.

[swim4life107]

Aug 4, 2016 17:21:38 GMT -5 bigfan said:

Larissa França is the player everyone should most be concerned about....................when she gets going she is the best player in the world.

Nobody disagrees. I think people wonder if she has the temperment to get the job done. In London, her/Julianna were cruising. Hadn't lost a set (nor was anyone close in any set) and were up a set and up in the 2nd against April/Jen. Larissa folded like a cheap tent and started hitting wild errors and melting down at her partner. She has a horrible attitude.

[bigfan]

Stanford/USC picked to win it all....................Semis are tomorrow 8/15/2016.

[timduckforlife]

Hard to bet against them at this point. They keep getting better and stronger since Kerri's come back from shoulder surgery. So Larissa/Talita might be rated #1, it's only because of all the time Walsh/Ross had to take off for rehab, as well as coming back and having to work your way back into playing shape and cohesion.

And TBH, right now, the more important match is the mens quarterfinal.  Thats like a gold medal match this early.  Dalhausser/Lucena vs Alison/Bruno.  How hurt is Alison's ankle?  And Phil/Nick are playing pretty well atm.  Seriously looking forward to that game.

[Deleted]

After Brazil#1 pulled that match out of their you know what today, I really think they will win the Gold....Very hard for me say too....Because I am a huge Kerri fan! As much as I'd like to see her win her 4th and April her 1st, I would be happy with a podium finish....I don't think Kerri & April will be happy with any less than the Gold though.....🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅 Here's to hoping for the best!!

[Sbilo]

Should they win over Australia, the Brazilian pair of Agatha and Barbara looks very beatable to me. IMHO, they will be in the gold medal match.

[Jack]

Aug 14, 2016 21:45:12 GMT -5 Sbilo said:

Should they win over Australia, the Brazilian pair of Agatha and Barbara looks very beatable to me. IMHO, they will be in the gold medal match.

That pair will probably win gold now. Because you've just reverse jinxed them.

Yes, the outcome of Olympic Beach Volleyball matches depends on idle chatter on an internet message board. But remember the Fates are mercurial and arbitrary little bastards.  They're real and this is how they operate.  That whole "superstition" malarkey is a clever front.  Anybody who points out their shenanigans is typically thought of as silly and irrational at best and at worst is labelled the musings of a madman. 

[gb77]

the swiss almost beat L & T but seemed to run out of gas at the end - their tactics show the way a fitter team can win - germany (who played 35min vs 108min) or usa. kerry is hitting with more power now so i give the edge to K & A.

[wonderwarthog79]

Good question. Nobody bothered to give a real reason that they should win, lose, or draw. What else is new?

[guest2]

Aug 15, 2016 2:48:39 GMT -5 wonderwarthog79 said:

Good question. Nobody bothered to give a real reason that they should win, lose, or draw. What else is new?

The reasons they will lose, if they do, is poor passing and weak defense. With a good pass, they will side out better than any other team, in particular better than Brazil, who have been very shaky in that respect in both playoff rounds.

Also they may get off slowly in the final because they havent played anyone good yet, whereas the winner of Brazil/Germany will have had to elevate their game.

(Agatha/Barbara have an outside shot but they arent on the level of the other three teams)

Larissa wont beat both Germany and the US simply because Talita is been playing very shaky volleyball. Her passing is poor and she has gotten blocked a lot. She isnt putting pressure on teams at the net and that puts too much on Larissa. Larissa has been patient with her, but I think the worse Talita plays the more focus Larissa will lose from her own game fighting the urge to strangle Talita.

Right now Germany doesnt seem to have weaknesses. They throttled Canada and have breezed through both rounds. They sided out beautifully and Kira dominated the net against Pavan. I think of the contenders, US and Brazil will give matches away, but Germany has to be beaten by a team playing well.

Also anyone talking about endurance just leave it alone. One match every other day takes endurance out of the equation. The Swiss didnt get tired, they choked.

[volleymom999]

Just throwing out a prediction but I say Kerri is pregnant - her boobs are bigger and they skipped opening ceremonies and are not out and about . Just my guess!

[geddyleeridesagain]

Aug 15, 2016 10:06:33 GMT -5 volleymom999 said:

Just throwing out a prediction but I say Kerri is pregnant - her boobs are bigger and they skipped opening ceremonies and are not out and about . Just my guess!

Umm, there is a reason Kerri is a little, er, bustier these days, and it has nothing to do with being pregnant.