trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
Posts: 28,131
|
Post by trojansc on Aug 2, 2021 14:06:38 GMT -5
Was their A-team not at VNL? Brayelin Martinez was out, but otherwise it was their A team. USA played their B+ team against them at the VNL and swept. USA has even had C-level teams beat DR in Pan-Am sort of events. DR, recently, has a history of not being good in the very beginning of tournaments. I think they are so especially messy that they need a few matches to get things sorted out and at least as close to in a rhythm as possible given their level. But, there's good and bad news, Brayelin is clearly not 100% (neither is Gaila, she was out at the VNL with abdominal issues and hasn't really been quite as impactful after a great season in Turkey D2). There is no way Kwiek keeps Brayelin off the court the first two(ish) sets against Japan if she's 100%. But, it may have been a brilliant strategy. She was really terminal coming on and not very worn down after sitting the previous match too.. So, she will be as fresh as realistically possible for this USA match coming in. And DR's offense was good against Japan. They drubbed Japan -10 in a set today and had 3 hitters close to 50% efficiency. USA's block won't let them be that efficient, but, it shows they can be potent offensively and potentially dangerous. USA is still a big heavy favorite. They need to get DR in serve receive trouble and spread the DR block around. They're big, but not super agile/mobile. When it becomes a highball outside battle... Dominicana can possibly win that.
|
|
|
Post by bruinsgold on Aug 2, 2021 14:13:31 GMT -5
I would start Hancock and Drews and rest Poulter and Thompson for the Semi's. Depending on how Hancock looks tomorrow, maybe JP doesn't need to come back as the starter. Hancock has been setting the middle, and it started off rocky but improved over the course of the match. USA needs middle to win. Hands down, my favorite part of last night was those two flubbed sets to Akinradewo only for Hancock to come back set Akinradewo to her best swings in a long time. The way Hancock made that quick adjustment was phenomenal.
|
|
trojansc
Legend
All-VolleyTalk 1st Team (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), All-VolleyTalk 2nd Team (2016), 2021, 2019 Fantasy League Champion, 2020 Fantasy League Runner Up, 2022 2nd Runner Up
Posts: 28,131
|
Post by trojansc on Aug 2, 2021 14:18:03 GMT -5
This is the last hurrah from Grandma as well. She's gonna go out with a ROAR, no matter what! (She plans to retire at the Pan-Am Cup that's being hosted by DR in a couple months)
|
|
|
Post by vballfannbama on Aug 2, 2021 14:22:43 GMT -5
Serious question: isn't gum chewing distracting them? Drews is great but kinda making me crazy lol Her anxious gum chewing makes me anxious. I'm glad it's just not me and other VT are the same way hahahaha.....I'm like geez you don't have to chew so hard
|
|
|
Post by jwvolley on Aug 2, 2021 14:27:57 GMT -5
Does the DR have a legit shot at an upset here? I have to ask. well, last time both teams A-teams met... DR won What match are you referring to?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2021 14:29:00 GMT -5
well, last time both teams A-teams met... DR won What match are you referring to? 2019 NORCECA final
|
|
|
Post by Resident Bitchy Canadian Fan on Aug 2, 2021 14:30:00 GMT -5
If Thompson plays, I think the US wins in a pretty convincing sweep. Brayelin hasn’t been healthy all summer and DLC has been really ineffective so far (which makes me sad).
If Drews plays, it can be a convincing sweep still, but she’s more inconsistent of the opps so here’s to hoping she plays really well again if she starts. The DR can certainly win if their passing is decent and the OHs go off
|
|
|
Post by fireandwater on Aug 2, 2021 14:30:36 GMT -5
Her anxious gum chewing makes me anxious. I'm glad it's just not me and other VT are the same way hahahaha.....I'm like geez you don't have to chew so hard dude it's so annoying. also to be honest, it looks a bit trashy chewing like that your mouth open in the OLYMPICS. lol
|
|
|
Post by jwvolley on Aug 2, 2021 16:22:24 GMT -5
I would put a big emphasis on getting middles to produce this match. Gotta build the confidence in that connection and offensive component. Our passing has been absurdly good and we can't waste it.
|
|
|
Post by volleyball303 on Aug 2, 2021 16:24:50 GMT -5
Is team USA in a new team shoe? Two rolled ankles in two matches is pretty rare. I also don’t see much contact between players feet. I know some people are saying their was contact both time. I will admit both injuries are hard to watch.
|
|
|
Post by ToddyJ on Aug 2, 2021 16:33:07 GMT -5
Is team USA in a new team shoe? Two rolled ankles in two matches is pretty rare. I also don’t see much contact between players feet. I know some people are saying their was contact both time. I will admit both injuries are hard to watch. It's not the shoes. Both times Chi/Foluke were still on the ground and didn't go up to block at the same time and then Thompson/Poutler jumped late (misreading when to block) and then landed unfortunately on the MB's foot. It happens.
|
|
ltdks01
Junior
Posts: 455
Member is Online
|
Post by ltdks01 on Aug 2, 2021 17:07:29 GMT -5
Is team USA in a new team shoe? Two rolled ankles in two matches is pretty rare. I also don’t see much contact between players feet. I know some people are saying their was contact both time. I will admit both injuries are hard to watch. It's not the shoes. Both times Chi/Foluke were still on the ground and didn't go up to block at the same time and then Thompson/Poutler jumped late (misreading when to block) and then landed unfortunately on the MB's foot. It happens. additionally, USA doesn’t have a team shoe from what I can tell? Thompson had Under Armour shoes and Poulter had Nike
|
|
|
Post by vup on Aug 2, 2021 17:52:43 GMT -5
Come on DR pull through for me PUNTO LA VIVA punto viva viva! Estamos de tu lado!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2021 17:54:26 GMT -5
I want DR to win but I absolutely will be pissed if they go 5 just to lose in 5. Don’t give me any false hope Domicana
|
|
|
Post by akbar on Aug 2, 2021 18:04:19 GMT -5
Serious question: isn't gum chewing distracting them? Drews is great but kinda making me crazy lol I am so glad that I'm not the only one. I've tried to ignore it, but it drives me insane. I imagine the other women on the court are able to ignore it. If Miss Drews continues to play the way she has been, she can chew gum on the court, in class, during dinner, when she sleeps....I DONT CARE!
|
|