USA-BRA match here (spoiler)

[sonofbarcelonabob]

PukaPants said:

And I agree with Roy...USA needs to adjust their game. They've been playing this style for 4 years now. Look at China.....I was impressed with the way they dismantled the USA with that lighting quick offense. At first, I thought they were passing poorly....but apparently, they were intentionally getting the passes so quick to the setter like missles, no lollipops whatsoever, and the Chinese hitter already smacked the quick and USA was still standing there trying to read the setter......

I remember something that Marv Dunphy said in a clinic years back, which I think is true in this case. He says that all great teams have to be good in all phases of the game, but great in one or two phases.

To change the USA playstyle just for the sake of change will not work. Instead, treat it like a company entering a particular line of business or market. Analyze which aspects of the game fits the core competencies of the program. USA cannot play like Brazil or China or Cuba if they don't have the personnel to execute that playstyle effectively. Their playstyle should fit the personnel they have now and anticipate the personnel they will have in the next quadrennial.

I'm more familiar with the men's game than the women's, but if you were to go back and look at the dominant programs of each era of volleyball (Japanese in the 60's, Soviet Union in the 70's, US Men/Chinese Women in the 80's, Italian Men/Cuban Women in the 90's) you will see a variety of playstyles and approaches to the game. But each dominant program had done exactly what Dunphy advocates - they were good at every phase of volleyball, and great in one or two areas. That was the formula to establishing and maintaining their dominance in that particular era.

[Pallavolo]

SonofBarcelonaBob said:

Tom has never expressed any interest in playing beach. Ah Mow is probably off to devote more time to motherhood and getting on with her life.

Tom has a commitment to the indoor program. She has said that she won't play beach until after her indoor career.

But someone from the Beach tour has said she'd love to play with Tom or her sisters if her current partner takes time off. Seeing that she's playing for the Gold right now in beach vball, I don't think there's anything to worry about

[cardfan15]

I am utterly disappointed. I thought this was the year, man...I am sick to my stomach. I am sure the girls are disappointed. I would say that all in all, the team pretty much sucked and played no where near their potential (and I have a feeling they realize that too). Keba was horrible and brought absolutely nothing to the table this Olympics. She flat out stunk. I don't even think she passed all that well. Danielle Scott is finished too along with Keba. Tayyiba has a lot of work to do, four years of it for that matter. I agree it is sad that Metcalf didn't play more. Tara Cross-Battle should never have been on the team, what did her presence do....nothing. Tom was hampered the whole tournament by having to carry too much of the load. Passing such a huge percentage of the serves/playing defense/hitting sets that should have gone to the middle I think took her out of it when they needed her most - Game 5 against Brazil. Ah Mow should be replaced. She was unimpressive, didn't make good decisions, and was definitely not a leader on the court. Bown should be back in four years, and if she is she could be pretty dominant. I think Tom, Nnamani, Barboza, and Tayyiba are the future of USA volleyball for the next 4 years. Tom loves the indoor competition too much, she would absolutely dominate on sand and much like Kerri Walsh/Misty May would have cakewalks through tournaments. I am excited about these next four years, I think we have a lot to look forward to. However, it is still tough to take this loss, I just expected more from the number 1 team in the world.

[IdahoBoy]

SonofBarcelonaBob said:

Tom has never expressed any interest in playing beach. Ah Mow is probably off to devote more time to motherhood and getting on with her life.

I think you're a little out-of-touch with these ladies' intentions bob.

[afvbking10]

Could you imagine if the Indoor team would have had Walsh on the right side, and May setting the team. I think that the US would have been even better than they were. Misty was a great player in college, and I think had she continued indoors, wow she could have been great indoors....much like she is outdoors. They were both proven players....we could only imagine the results the team would have had. May being a stronger blocker than Robin....maybe more offensive than Robin??

[USAFAN]

SonofBarcelonaBob said:

Tom has never expressed any interest in playing beach. Ah Mow is probably off to devote more time to motherhood and getting on with her life.



I don't see Willoughby being able to bring anything different than the many cookie-cutter OH's who will eventually make 1st team All-American within the next 3-4 years. People were saying the exact same thing about another UH phenom, Teee Williams, back in '89 after she finished up her college career.



Unfortunately, Americans always base the performances of their national teams (not just volleyball) on Olympic performances, which ignores all of the other great things the USA Women have done in this quadrennial. They have continually acquitted themselves well in the other major FIVB tournaments, which in my opinion, are much more gruelling and difficult tests.



Agree. I think it will be between China and Brazil. Maybe Cuba.

Contrary to what you're saying, Tee Williams had a major presence on the USA national team. While she did struggle with consistency when she was on, she was one of the top hitters in the world. Kim WIlloughby was definitely not a cookie cutter hitter in college.

[roy]

afvbking10 said:

Could you imagine if the Indoor team would have had Walsh on the right side, and May setting the team. I think that the US would have been even better than they were. Misty was a great player in college, and I think had she continued indoors, wow she could have been great indoors....much like she is outdoors. They were both proven players....we could only imagine the results the team would have had. May being a stronger blocker than Robin....maybe more offensive than Robin??

May and Walsh would have been fun to watch, but there is still a lot of other issues aside from them playing. The team chemistry would change with Walsh and May there, and it would be hard to say that the US would have done better or worse with them.

As a side note, at the Olympics, you don't want an offensive setter. Teams are just too good that they will pick up any dump shot the setter might throw at them, especially the Asian teams.

[USAFAN]

I think May could've been awesome indoor, but Kerri just struggled with her shoulder and injuries indoors to become a top player. The beach saved Kerri.