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Post by guest2 on Aug 2, 2020 18:15:51 GMT -5
Was anyone able to get any insight on the new coach for Slaes and some points he talked about? I know in the end I briefly heard he mentioning how they goal was to go to the olympics or something along those lines (I think probably mentioning how they beat MHP/Pav twice over the series and world champs). Has he introduced anything different from their previous Brazilian coach? In one of the interviews, Claes mentioned that one thing they did was examine what they did better than other teams on the world tour - she mentioned going on 2 - and then trying to increase how often they did those things. One thing I liked that they did more in the finals was getting Kelly on the right, if I were coaching them I would consider making that a permanent switch. Kelly has always seemed somewhat awkward swinging from the left. It was mitigated here with very hard packed sand but long term I think right side is better for her. I thought Sponcil's offense was improved as well
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 2, 2020 18:30:47 GMT -5
Regardless of that final match today, Slaes beat Hughes and also beat the team Canada which has to feel good. I was more impressed that they beat them this week, compared to if they beat them in week 1.
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Post by ajm on Aug 2, 2020 19:30:16 GMT -5
Claes really needs to work on her pulling off the net. First of all she does it way too often. Not a great idea against the best side out team in the world, especially when you have a great defender behind you. Second, when she pulls she does this awkward baby-step backpedal and is almost always too late getting into defensive position. They gave up numerous point-scoring opportunities in the final because she had a big target on her chest. She needs to decide earlier, then get back quicker with a couple big side steps. Really surprised her coaches haven’t been able to improve her fundamentals in this area.
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Post by naujack85 on Aug 3, 2020 3:13:43 GMT -5
This match wasn't really that close, Ateam didn't even really shift into 3rd gear and still won in straights.
I know Claes deserves some criticism for this match and many others, but i was pretty unimpressed with Sponcil overall. Sure, she has a tremendous hand-setting ability, but her location is a little erratic and she's going to get called a lot internationally. She brought very little defensively today and couldn't put the ball away either. Kelly carried them, but they both need to improve their fundamentals before getting cute and crafty.
They really seem like a team that will do very poorly internationally, they just don't have the consistency to hang with the very best right now.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 7:49:29 GMT -5
This match wasn't really that close, Ateam didn't even really shift into 3rd gear and still won in straights. I know Claes deserves some criticism for this match and many others, but i was pretty unimpressed with Sponcil overall. Sure, she has a tremendous hand-setting ability, but her location is a little erratic and she's going to get called a lot internationally. She brought very little defensively today and couldn't put the ball away either. Kelly carried them, but they both need to improve their fundamentals before getting cute and crafty. They really seem like a team that will do very poorly internationally, they just don't have the consistency to hang with the very best right now.You mean like beating one of the top 2 teams in the world in the semis??
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Post by southbay11 on Aug 3, 2020 9:57:29 GMT -5
This match wasn't really that close, Ateam didn't even really shift into 3rd gear and still won in straights. I know Claes deserves some criticism for this match and many others, but i was pretty unimpressed with Sponcil overall. Sure, she has a tremendous hand-setting ability, but her location is a little erratic and she's going to get called a lot internationally. She brought very little defensively today and couldn't put the ball away either. Kelly carried them, but they both need to improve their fundamentals before getting cute and crafty. They really seem like a team that will do very poorly internationally, they just don't have the consistency to hang with the very best right now.You mean like beating one of the top 2 teams in the world in the semis?? The better you get...the more the couch potatoes criticize.
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Post by KO7 on Aug 3, 2020 10:39:40 GMT -5
This match wasn't really that close, Ateam didn't even really shift into 3rd gear and still won in straights. I know Claes deserves some criticism for this match and many others, but i was pretty unimpressed with Sponcil overall. Sure, she has a tremendous hand-setting ability, but her location is a little erratic and she's going to get called a lot internationally. She brought very little defensively today and couldn't put the ball away either. Kelly carried them, but they both need to improve their fundamentals before getting cute and crafty. They really seem like a team that will do very poorly internationally, they just don't have the consistency to hang with the very best right now.You mean like beating one of the top 2 teams in the world in the semis?? To be fair, I really don’t think Mel and Sarah are playing like a World Top 2 team right now - not even close.
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Post by guest2 on Aug 3, 2020 10:50:12 GMT -5
This match wasn't really that close, Ateam didn't even really shift into 3rd gear and still won in straights. I know Claes deserves some criticism for this match and many others, but i was pretty unimpressed with Sponcil overall. Sure, she has a tremendous hand-setting ability, but her location is a little erratic and she's going to get called a lot internationally. She brought very little defensively today and couldn't put the ball away either. Kelly carried them, but they both need to improve their fundamentals before getting cute and crafty. They really seem like a team that will do very poorly internationally, they just don't have the consistency to hang with the very best right now.You mean like beating one of the top 2 teams in the world in the semis?? I think Slaes showed some improvement. For example Kelly looked great on the right and Sponcil was swinging harder and was generally more aggressive offensively. But to give them credit for beating the no. 2 team in the world, when MHPavs played very poorly all month, is exaggerating a little, except semantically. MHPavs were, by their own admission, nowhere close to their best and had not prepared for this series. Pavs called their play embarrassing a couple of times. Slaes were ok, this year they finished 2, 3, and 5, last year they finished 2nd once and had 3 3rds. In other words, their play was almost exactly what you would expect based on their previous performance. The trouble is that they are the youngest top team on tour so you would expect that they would have made a substantial jump and, based on their play, I didnt see that. The only huge improvement - SPoncil's offense - could also be down to playing on a parking lot. I hope they schedule another or a few more events, as has been hinted at. Would be nice to have a bigger sample
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 11:39:10 GMT -5
You mean like beating one of the top 2 teams in the world in the semis?? To be fair, I really don’t think Mel and Sarah are playing like a World Top 2 team right now - not even close. I would say everyone is in the same boat. They don't get a pass.
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Post by socalplayer on Aug 3, 2020 19:55:35 GMT -5
Hughes/Alix will have some of the same issues that Hughes/Brandie have, notably Sara's lousy offensive range. Brandie is basically the first weak setter Sara has played with. Alix plays left so not nearly as bad, but that range is a problem Sara needs to solve. Bet Sara is appreciating Summer's incredible hands right about now Great call actually. Curious who you think is the most ideal partner for Hughes given her strengths and her needs? Kathryn Plummer. I’m not kidding.
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Post by naujack85 on Aug 4, 2020 0:32:10 GMT -5
To be fair, I really don’t think Mel and Sarah are playing like a World Top 2 team right now - not even close. I would say everyone is in the same boat. They don't get a pass. Then Slaes doesn't get a pass for their lousy performance in the finals. They clearly have a high ceiling, but they also have a very low floor. Consistency is what they lack, and i don't think their current playstyle is going to help them in that area.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2020 1:04:10 GMT -5
Great call actually. Curious who you think is the most ideal partner for Hughes given her strengths and her needs? Kathryn Plummer. I’m not kidding. You seem to know more than most of us regarding Plummer. What are the chances we see her on the beach after Tokyo finishes up next year? I personally doubt that she even thinks about it, as she has plenty of indoor money to be made throughout Europe and Asia. No need to pursue the meager earnings in beach compared to the indoor money.
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