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Post by n00b on Apr 17, 2020 0:16:51 GMT -5
When I last watched USA play, the glaring problem was tip coverage. Terrible, there’s no other way around it. Hentz is great at this. Mary Lake is also very good. If we want a true libero, and there isn’t one playing in the pro leagues right now who is good enough, these would be my top two contenders. You could throw Kendall White in there too (that enthusiasm would be interesting in that environment!). I don’t watch pro league, so I have no idea if recent grads playing pro have improved significantly or not. Did Kenzie Maloney ever go pro? She was good too. It's worth noting that you really can't compare tip coverage in D1 to the Olympic level. JWO was fantastic in college but, as others have noted, hasn't been as stellar for USA. The reason is two-fold. Firstly you've got the highest calibre of hitters who can disguise a tip better than any other players on the planet. The other issue is that defenders tend to dig in so hard at the Olympic level because the pins are all capable of absolutely crushing the ball that it makes it considerably harder to react in tip to pick up the tip. Would Hentz/Lake be better than JWO/Courtney? Perhaps. Can we say for certain they would from their college tape? No. But again, at the risk of sounding boring, it's irrelevant unless they are capable of passing at a 2.4+ level over the course of a tournament from Karch's perspective. That is and always will be his first requirement from the position and more than anything else, that's where Hentz will need to prove she can cut it (Lake has the edge here, but again, hasn't done it vs the highest level of competition). The reading of Olympic-quality attackers is an unknown but I think I CAN say for certain that Hentz makes the most dynamic and explosive moves to the ball of that group. I don't know if that's worth 20% or 80% of the value of digging tips, but whatever it is, Hentz has a big advantage.
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Post by bbg95 on Apr 17, 2020 0:20:13 GMT -5
When I last watched USA play, the glaring problem was tip coverage. Terrible, there’s no other way around it. Hentz is great at this. Mary Lake is also very good. If we want a true libero, and there isn’t one playing in the pro leagues right now who is good enough, these would be my top two contenders. You could throw Kendall White in there too (that enthusiasm would be interesting in that environment!). I don’t watch pro league, so I have no idea if recent grads playing pro have improved significantly or not. Did Kenzie Maloney ever go pro? She was good too. It's worth noting that you really can't compare tip coverage in D1 to the Olympic level. JWO was fantastic in college but, as others have noted, hasn't been as stellar for USA. The reason is two-fold. Firstly you've got the highest calibre of hitters who can disguise a tip better than any other players on the planet. The other issue is that defenders tend to dig in so hard at the Olympic level because the pins are all capable of absolutely crushing the ball that it makes it considerably harder to react in tip to pick up the tip. Would Hentz/Lake be better than JWO/Courtney? Perhaps. Can we say for certain they would from their college tape? No. But again, at the risk of sounding boring, it's irrelevant unless they are capable of passing at a 2.4+ level over the course of a tournament from Karch's perspective. That is and always will be his first requirement from the position and more than anything else, that's where Hentz will need to prove she can cut it (Lake has the edge here, but again, hasn't done it vs the highest level of competition). This is true. I think fans (and many players) of all sports really underestimate the difference in competition between college and the pros. Take a player like Jimmer Fredette (I'll use him since I was trapped in Provo during the height of Jimmer-mania). He was national player of the year in college, a complete bust in the NBA, an MVP in China, and a complete bust again in an abbreviated return to the NBA. The level of athletes at the top level is much greater than it is in the collegiate ranks (which makes sense, as only the top college players even make it to the pros for the most part) or even a second-tier pro league, and many can't make the jump. Even among those that can, many former stars ends up as backups or role players at the professional level.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 0:50:12 GMT -5
It's worth noting that you really can't compare tip coverage in D1 to the Olympic level. JWO was fantastic in college but, as others have noted, hasn't been as stellar for USA. The reason is two-fold. Firstly you've got the highest calibre of hitters who can disguise a tip better than any other players on the planet. The other issue is that defenders tend to dig in so hard at the Olympic level because the pins are all capable of absolutely crushing the ball that it makes it considerably harder to react in tip to pick up the tip. Would Hentz/Lake be better than JWO/Courtney? Perhaps. Can we say for certain they would from their college tape? No. But again, at the risk of sounding boring, it's irrelevant unless they are capable of passing at a 2.4+ level over the course of a tournament from Karch's perspective. That is and always will be his first requirement from the position and more than anything else, that's where Hentz will need to prove she can cut it (Lake has the edge here, but again, hasn't done it vs the highest level of competition). This is true. I think fans (and many players) of all sports really underestimate the difference in competition between college and the pros. Take a player like Jimmer Fredette (I'll use him since I was trapped in Provo during the height of Jimmer-mania). He was national player of the year in college, a complete bust in the NBA, an MVP in China, and a complete bust again in an abbreviated return to the NBA. The level of athletes at the top level is much greater than it is in the collegiate ranks (which makes sense, as only the top college players even make it to the pros for the most part) or even a second-tier pro league, and many can't make the jump. Even among those that can, many former stars ends up as backups or role players at the professional level. I'd agree with this. I also think there's a certain insular arrogance within the collegiate ranks in this country - which, to it's credit, doesn't exist on VT - in regards to player development in other nations. Players all over the world start playing pro aged 16/17 and train with and play against the top domestic and international players from a young age. Through the NCAA we graduate a host of talent each year which has very little understanding of what the pro game demands or how it differs from the collegiate one. The culture shock for All American players who go oversees to play is extreme and it's not just about the food! There are definitely ways in which we could better prepare top collegiate players for a potential pro career but right now there's very little assistance on offer and, to my mind, that's a shortcoming.
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Post by mikegarrison on Apr 17, 2020 0:54:31 GMT -5
This is true. I think fans (and many players) of all sports really underestimate the difference in competition between college and the pros. Take a player like Jimmer Fredette (I'll use him since I was trapped in Provo during the height of Jimmer-mania). He was national player of the year in college, a complete bust in the NBA, an MVP in China, and a complete bust again in an abbreviated return to the NBA. The level of athletes at the top level is much greater than it is in the collegiate ranks (which makes sense, as only the top college players even make it to the pros for the most part) or even a second-tier pro league, and many can't make the jump. Even among those that can, many former stars ends up as backups or role players at the professional level. I'd agree with this. I also think there's a certain insular arrogance within the collegiate ranks in this country - which, to it's credit, doesn't exist on VT - in regards to player development in other nations. Players all over the world start playing pro aged 16/17 and train with and play against the top domestic and international players from a young age. Through the NCAA we graduate a host of talent each year which has very little understanding of what the pro game demands or how it differs from the collegiate one. The culture shock for All American players who go oversees to play is extreme and it's not just about the food! There are definitely ways in which we could better prepare top collegiate players for a potential pro career but right now there's very little assistance on offer and, to my mind, that's a shortcoming. I've seen the same discussed here for years, but remember, the purpose of NCAA sports is not supposed to be training athletes for pro sports.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 1:06:45 GMT -5
I'd agree with this. I also think there's a certain insular arrogance within the collegiate ranks in this country - which, to it's credit, doesn't exist on VT - in regards to player development in other nations. Players all over the world start playing pro aged 16/17 and train with and play against the top domestic and international players from a young age. Through the NCAA we graduate a host of talent each year which has very little understanding of what the pro game demands or how it differs from the collegiate one. The culture shock for All American players who go oversees to play is extreme and it's not just about the food! There are definitely ways in which we could better prepare top collegiate players for a potential pro career but right now there's very little assistance on offer and, to my mind, that's a shortcoming. I've seen the same discussed here for years, but remember, the purpose of NCAA sports is not supposed to be training athletes for pro sports. Yes, sorry, I forgot. Student athletes! Silly me. There's something disheartening about hearing of coach who, last season, discouraged his star OH from taking extra passing reps after practice with a non-NCAA volleyball (ahead of a potential pro career) because "she needed to concentrate on her collegiate career". There aren't many other educational organisations in the world which actively inhibit the students in their care from learning about their chosen profession.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 1:19:20 GMT -5
I will not deny the fact that having Robinson on the Olympic roster as a Libero would open the door for Kathryn Plummer to make the roster. That in itself is cause for some excitement. Plummer made an impact during her brief stint at Monza. I would say Thompson made less of a splash but she has already proven herself more with the NT.
My only concern with Robinson at Libero is due to her size, tip coverage will continue to be and issue. That will only be resolved with an actual Libero on the roster.
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libro
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Post by libro on Apr 17, 2020 1:21:25 GMT -5
When I last watched USA play, the glaring problem was tip coverage. Terrible, there’s no other way around it. Hentz is great at this. Mary Lake is also very good. If we want a true libero, and there isn’t one playing in the pro leagues right now who is good enough, these would be my top two contenders. You could throw Kendall White in there too (that enthusiasm would be interesting in that environment!). I don’t watch pro league, so I have no idea if recent grads playing pro have improved significantly or not. Did Kenzie Maloney ever go pro? She was good too. It's worth noting that you really can't compare tip coverage in D1 to the Olympic level. JWO was fantastic in college but, as others have noted, hasn't been as stellar for USA. The reason is two-fold. Firstly you've got the highest calibre of hitters who can disguise a tip better than any other players on the planet. The other issue is that defenders tend to dig in so hard at the Olympic level because the pins are all capable of absolutely crushing the ball that it makes it considerably harder to react in tip to pick up the tip. Would Hentz/Lake be better than JWO/Courtney? Perhaps. Can we say for certain they would from their college tape? No. But again, at the risk of sounding boring, it's irrelevant unless they are capable of passing at a 2.4+ level over the course of a tournament from Karch's perspective. That is and always will be his first requirement from the position and more than anything else, that's where Hentz will need to prove she can cut it (Lake has the edge here, but again, hasn't done it vs the highest level of competition). All, I am seeing, incredibly correct by, as usual. A 2.4 seems a reach on paper, especially if ur served 30+ balls it’s so tough in one match. However, with the way Hentz SEEMS to play, which is passing HIGH, Carlini, poulter just need a high 2 pass for the way Father Karch runs his offense. If she can at least adjust to 2 passing even the way she does in college then it will be worth her playing and seeing her defend
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 1:47:21 GMT -5
It's worth noting that you really can't compare tip coverage in D1 to the Olympic level. JWO was fantastic in college but, as others have noted, hasn't been as stellar for USA. The reason is two-fold. Firstly you've got the highest calibre of hitters who can disguise a tip better than any other players on the planet. The other issue is that defenders tend to dig in so hard at the Olympic level because the pins are all capable of absolutely crushing the ball that it makes it considerably harder to react in tip to pick up the tip. Would Hentz/Lake be better than JWO/Courtney? Perhaps. Can we say for certain they would from their college tape? No. But again, at the risk of sounding boring, it's irrelevant unless they are capable of passing at a 2.4+ level over the course of a tournament from Karch's perspective. That is and always will be his first requirement from the position and more than anything else, that's where Hentz will need to prove she can cut it (Lake has the edge here, but again, hasn't done it vs the highest level of competition). All, I am seeing, incredibly correct by, as usual. A 2.4 seems a reach on paper, especially if ur served 30+ balls it’s so tough in one match. However, with the way Hentz SEEMS to play, which is passing HIGH, Carlini, poulter just need a high 2 pass for the way Father Karch runs his offense. If she can at least adjust to 2 passing even the way she does in college then it will be worth her playing and seeing her defend A reach? 2.33, 2.36, 2.44 (and Kim Hill at 2.14). Those were the passing grades of the USA serve receive unit at the 2016 OGs. They wants 2.4+ from the Libero position.
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Post by n00b on Apr 17, 2020 1:56:18 GMT -5
All, I am seeing, incredibly correct by, as usual. A 2.4 seems a reach on paper, especially if ur served 30+ balls it’s so tough in one match. However, with the way Hentz SEEMS to play, which is passing HIGH, Carlini, poulter just need a high 2 pass for the way Father Karch runs his offense. If she can at least adjust to 2 passing even the way she does in college then it will be worth her playing and seeing her defend A reach? 2.33, 2.36, 2.44 (and Kim Hill at 2.14). Those were the passing grades of the USA serve receive unit at the 2016 OGs. They wants 2.4+ from the Libero position. Worth noting that our libero was the worst of those three passing numbers.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 1:58:14 GMT -5
A reach? 2.33, 2.36, 2.44 (and Kim Hill at 2.14). Those were the passing grades of the USA serve receive unit at the 2016 OGs. They wants 2.4+ from the Libero position. Worth noting that our libero was the worst of those three passing numbers. Very true. I don't think Tama is planning on that being the case in 2021.
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Post by n00b on Apr 17, 2020 2:06:19 GMT -5
Worth noting that our libero was the worst of those three passing numbers. Very true. I don't think Tama is planning on that being the case in 2021. I don't see anybody out-passing Robinson and Larson but I guess we'll see. I think the only person that can do it is Courtney.
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Post by werka on Apr 17, 2020 2:07:29 GMT -5
Just suit up two liberos during the QFs or Semis of the Olympics honestly. I won't mind seeing Larson + another libero alternate during those crucial matches.
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Post by werka on Apr 17, 2020 2:07:53 GMT -5
Worth noting that our libero was the worst of those three passing numbers. Very true. I don't think Tama is planning on that being the case in 2021. I think JWO can do it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 2:17:18 GMT -5
Very true. I don't think Tama is planning on that being the case in 2021. I think JWO can do it. I happen to agree with you but the distance between being able to do it and actually doing it is a large one.
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Post by werka on Apr 17, 2020 2:20:29 GMT -5
I happen to agree with you but the distance between being able to do it and actually doing it is a large one. Hoping this year extension can trim that down.
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