Dominican Republic vs. South Korea | Wed 7/28 10:05pm ET

[trojansc]

Stream: stream.nbcolympics.com/volleyball-womens-prelim-match-14-korea-dominican-republic

Stats: olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/volleyball/result-women-gpa-000700-.htm

Dominican Republic went 5 sets with Brazil, but fell just short and lost 2-3. South Korea was swept rather handily by Brazil (-10,-22,-19) Realistically, it's Serbia-Brazil for #1-2 and DOM-KOR-JPN for #3-#5. Japan could shake that up and beat Brazil, but particularly without Koga, I'm not seeing it happen.

Regardless of who wins this match, the loser could beat Japan and winner lose to Japan and we end up in a 3-way tie. In that case, DR's point from Brazil could be impactful. I think most people assume the most likely scenario is that DR and Japan beat Korea and the DR/Japan match on the last day determines #3/#4, but, nothing has been guaranteed this Olympics.

KYK could go off and lead her team to a win. South Korea's other pieces just look way too messy, but, you never know.

An interesting thing for DR is De La Cruz has not been so impactful this Olympics. I would not be shocked to see Pena-Isabel in the starting lineup again. Rivera and DLC were both benched, DR opted for Gaila at OPP and Brayelin/Yonkaira at OH against Brazil. Not sure what to expect from the DR pins who all have rotated OH-OPP recently (except you'll never see lefty Gonzales at OH).

[trojansc]

This should start on time as Italy swept Argentina. ~30 minutes from now

The unfortunate part about tonight's matches is the good ones are all spaced out. Serbia-Kenya play after this match, China-Russia doesn't come on until 320am. Then, another long break until Turkey-USA at 845am.

Though, I guess Japan-Brazil at 640am could get interesting.

[kc8413]

It's so crazy how much weaker this pool is in comparison to the pool the USA is in.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2021 20:50:13 GMT -5 kc8413 said:

It's so crazy how much weaker this pool is in comparison to the pool the USA is in.

It'll be even worse in 2024 with France and 2032 with Australia. 

[Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan]

Ugh I hope the DR sweeps. Or at the very least wins. Korea just seems so slow when they play, I don’t wanna see them in the playoffs, i don’t think they’d keep it close at all

[trojansc]

Jul 28, 2021 20:51:24 GMT -5 @avid said:

Jul 28, 2021 20:50:13 GMT -5 kc8413 said:

It's so crazy how much weaker this pool is in comparison to the pool the USA is in.

It'll be even worse in 2024 with France and 2032 with Australia. 

The Planet will bring great success to France. #TeamJupiter

Also, I would say the new ranking system would make the pools *more* balanced, but when people give the middle-finger to the VNL/World Cup/etc... it shakes things up. Like, imagine if the pools were determined with Serbia having their world #13 ranking coming into this tournament. Serbia's back up to #10 already, but still.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2021 20:57:29 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jul 28, 2021 20:51:24 GMT -5 @avid said:

It'll be even worse in 2024 with France and 2032 with Australia. 

The Planet will bring great success to France. #TeamJupiter

Also, I would say the new ranking system would make the pools *more* balanced, but when people give the middle-finger to the VNL/World Cup/etc... it shakes things up. Like, imagine if the pools were determined with Serbia having their world #13 ranking coming into this tournament. Serbia's back up to #10 already, but still.

I think it might depend. 

The Dutch said this week they're taking every tournament seriously this quad. They want the Olympics and the rankings are going to factor in there somehow 

[basil]

Jul 28, 2021 20:59:24 GMT -5 @avid said:

Jul 28, 2021 20:57:29 GMT -5 trojansc said:

The Planet will bring great success to France. #TeamJupiter

Also, I would say the new ranking system would make the pools *more* balanced, but when people give the middle-finger to the VNL/World Cup/etc... it shakes things up. Like, imagine if the pools were determined with Serbia having their world #13 ranking coming into this tournament. Serbia's back up to #10 already, but still.

I think it might depend. 

The Dutch said this week they're taking every tournament seriously this quad. They want the Olympics and the rankings are going to factor in there somehow 

Hopefully De Kruijf sticks around then, especially considering it's three years now. If they find an opposite to go along with Daalderop and whoever their OH2 is, that could be awesome.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2021 21:03:10 GMT -5 basil said:

Jul 28, 2021 20:59:24 GMT -5 @avid said:

I think it might depend. 

The Dutch said this week they're taking every tournament seriously this quad. They want the Olympics and the rankings are going to factor in there somehow 

Hopefully De Kruijf sticks around then, especially considering it's three years now. If they find an opposite to go along with Daalderop and whoever their OH2 is, that could be awesome.

I don't think she will. I think they'll be fine in the middle (they have a ton of young players. Several in the German league) 

It'll be Dambrink on the right. They need to sort their OH's and stabilize their libero. 

[trojansc]

Eve/Jineiry
Marte/Gaila
Yonkaira/Brayelin
Castillo

Same as Brazil match... De La Cruz and Rivera on the bench.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2021 21:03:10 GMT -5 basil said:

Jul 28, 2021 20:59:24 GMT -5 @avid said:

I think it might depend. 

The Dutch said this week they're taking every tournament seriously this quad. They want the Olympics and the rankings are going to factor in there somehow 

Hopefully De Kruijf sticks around then, especially considering it's three years now. If they find an opposite to go along with Daalderop and whoever their OH2 is, that could be awesome.

they already have an opp in dambrink

[Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan]

Im surprised Peña Isabel continues to start.

[trojansc]

Jul 28, 2021 21:13:05 GMT -5 Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan said:

Im surprised Peña Isabel continues to start.

Her passing held up in the VNL (for DR standards and compared to their other OH's, she wasn't worse) and she hits a pretty heavy ball and sometimes a decent tip shot, but, not a ton of range. DLC just hadn't been putting the ball away here, though I wouldn't be surprised to see her get back in.

Marte not having a great match so far.

[Deleted]

I’m not comfortable with saying there’s a real winner of this match. All I know is that I’m losing by watching this mess lol

[Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan]

Jul 28, 2021 21:16:52 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jul 28, 2021 21:13:05 GMT -5 Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan said:

Im surprised Peña Isabel continues to start.

Her passing held up in the VNL and she hits a pretty heavy ball and sometimes a decent tip shot, but, not a ton of range. DLC just hadn't been putting the ball away here, though I wouldn't be surprised to see her get back in.

Marte not having a great match so far.

I wanna see DLC. But I see why she was pulled in the Serbia match. Although with Eve starting again, I feel like DR can afford to start DLC despite her passing 😬