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Post by robvolei on Oct 23, 2021 8:31:48 GMT -5
Assuming the Slaes news is legit (which I believe it is), TKN are sticking it out (nothing shows they would want to split), and the A-Team is sticking together (which is a no-brainer). These are the potential "free-agents" out there. I kept it alphabetical so I don't have to explain my rating of them, and only kept those I thought could have potential to have some success on the FIVB (not winning events, but at least consistent 9th or better), depending on their partner choice. Blockers:Cannon Claes Day Jones Kolinske KWJ Defenders:Callahan Flint Hughes Mewhirter-Knudson Muno Sponcil Stockman Turner Based on this, who do you think makes the most sense? Anyone you would add to the lists who could potentially do well on the world tour? Honestly, I see a lot of these women teaming up and then breaking up within 12 months. A few of them have already paired up and split up. When a few of them become elite, I see partnerships lasting a while but I think there will be constant switching of US women's team.
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Post by 23flavors on Oct 23, 2021 10:41:41 GMT -5
My prediction (aka wild guess) is:
Day/Flint stay together Claes/Muno I would be intrigued to see Claes/Callahan Cannon/Hughes I don’t think it will happen but I’d like to see KWJ/Sponcil
But in all reality, I have no clue who will be with who, just hope they can be 4-5 strong teams
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Post by vbrambler on Oct 23, 2021 12:10:50 GMT -5
In some alternate universe I’d like to see Plummer and Sponcil
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Post by beach13 on Oct 23, 2021 12:46:46 GMT -5
Pairings that I would like to see happen:
Sponcil/KWJ (Sponcil is probably Kerri’s best chance) Claes/Hughes (reunion!) Callahan/Kolinske (see what Tracy’s ceiling is) Flint/Day (make an Olympic push) Muno/Jones (the team everybody loves)
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Post by haze on Oct 23, 2021 13:46:47 GMT -5
I really feel like Kerri's' health longevity would somehow let Sponcil down.
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Post by newbeach on Oct 23, 2021 13:55:52 GMT -5
Assuming the Slaes news is legit (which I believe it is), TKN are sticking it out (nothing shows they would want to split), and the A-Team is sticking together (which is a no-brainer). These are the potential "free-agents" out there. I kept it alphabetical so I don't have to explain my rating of them, and only kept those I thought could have potential to have some success on the FIVB (not winning events, but at least consistent 9th or better), depending on their partner choice. Blockers:Cannon Claes Day Jones Kolinske KWJ Defenders:Callahan Flint Hughes Mewhirter-Knudson Muno Sponcil Stockman Turner Based on this, who do you think makes the most sense? Anyone you would add to the lists who could potentially do well on the world tour? Honestly, I see a lot of these women teaming up and then breaking up within 12 months. A few of them have already paired up and split up. When a few of them become elite, I see partnerships lasting a while but I think there will be constant switching of US women's team. I agree that there could be some pairing and splitting up going on in the next year. TVW is another who could do well depending on how her ACL recovery goes. Scoles , Brooke Van Sickle and Simo will all emerge on the scene in the next year. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if a college player or two take time off school, if the right player came calling. I also think TKN are contemplating playing temporarily with other players to get some points. Their long shot of going to Paris is going to get longer if they don’t.
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Post by newbeach on Oct 23, 2021 13:58:57 GMT -5
My prediction (aka wild guess) is: Day/Flint stay together Claes/Muno I would be intrigued to see Claes/Callahan Cannon/Hughes I don’t think it will happen but I’d like to see KWJ/Sponcil But in all reality, I have no clue who will be with who, just hope they can be 4-5 strong teams I could sees Claeshan before Muno and Claes.
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Post by newbeach on Oct 23, 2021 14:00:53 GMT -5
In some alternate universe I’d like to see Plummer and Sponcil It could happen (just probably not for Paris).
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Post by dunninla3 on Oct 23, 2021 19:09:36 GMT -5
Regarding KWJ, I can’t remember his exact words, but Travis sounded very confident that she would be back playing next year and going for her fourth Olympic gold medal. Kerri and Sponcil would struggle in the sideout game at times but imagine trying to put the ball away against those two. Wish this had happened a few years back, but I'd love to see it now Me too. KWJ is still the best big USA has, and moreso if she reacts to the new FIVB chuck/throw/redirect/double-contact non-calls and decides to set with her hands again, but I think Kloth has the potential to pass her as Kerri ages out. Claes will also be surpassed by Kloth within another year. If we're talking Paris, KWJ/Sponcil would be the favorite for USA2, with nobody else close really. A third option, but one I'm much less confident about, is Sponcil/Kolinske, but that simply won't work unless Kolinske gets over her sideout issues. I don't know what I'd do if I were Sponcil and given the choice... take KWJ for Paris and then switch to Kloth or another big who emerges between now and 2025? PS. I'm all for putting personal feelings aside in a professional setting, but what Sponcil experienced with her coach and partner aligning against her with those "unsupportive" comments during the Olympics is not an issue of personal feelings, it is an issue a lack of integrity and abuse of power.
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Post by dunninla3 on Oct 23, 2021 19:20:01 GMT -5
Re: Claes/Muno -- if Claes is going that direction, I'd like to see her do a test drive with Simo. I wasn't sure which I'd prefer up until recently when I looked at the stats from Manhattan Beach AVP... the one where Simo and Muno played together. Simo's hitting stats were a lot better.
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Post by stephenasinjin on Oct 23, 2021 20:25:19 GMT -5
Re: Claes/Muno -- if Claes is going that direction, I'd like to see her do a test drive with Simo. I wasn't sure which I'd prefer up until recently when I looked at the stats from Manhattan Beach AVP... the one where Simo and Muno played together. Simo's hitting stats were a lot better. I’m far from an expert on the women’s side, but Simo doesn’t even consider herself being on that level if you listen to her talk on sandcast.
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Post by dunninla3 on Oct 23, 2021 20:57:49 GMT -5
Re: Claes/Muno -- if Claes is going that direction, I'd like to see her do a test drive with Simo. I wasn't sure which I'd prefer up until recently when I looked at the stats from Manhattan Beach AVP... the one where Simo and Muno played together. Simo's hitting stats were a lot better. I’m far from an expert on the women’s side, but Simo doesn’t even consider herself being on that level if you listen to her talk on sandcast. perhaps humility causes more efficient sideout play? AKA playing smart, playing within yourself?
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Post by guest2 on Oct 23, 2021 21:17:57 GMT -5
I really feel like Kerri's' health longevity would somehow let Sponcil down. Huge Kerri fan, but her injury track record over the last 8 years has been awful. She has missed maybe 20-30% of events and played many of the others either left-handed (with April) or visibly trying to protect her shoulder and not swinging fully (with Brooke). Short Q period, but I doubt Kerri can last it either
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Post by dunninla3 on Oct 24, 2021 0:55:00 GMT -5
I really feel like Kerri's' health longevity would somehow let Sponcil down. Huge Kerri fan, but her injury track record over the last 8 years has been awful. She has missed maybe 20-30% of events and played many of the others either left-handed (with April) or visibly trying to protect her shoulder and not swinging fully (with Brooke). Short Q period, but I doubt Kerri can last it either there is a risk. However, woudn't the *known* risk of failing to reach Paris as USA #3 with Kolinske, behind #2 Claes+partner be greater than the possible risk with KWJ? Really what I'd love to see is Sponcil with Kim Hill, but Sponcil is not April in terms of life experience and I don't know if she could emotionally navigate the learning curve with Hill.
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Post by guest2 on Oct 24, 2021 0:59:11 GMT -5
Re: Claes/Muno -- if Claes is going that direction, I'd like to see her do a test drive with Simo. I wasn't sure which I'd prefer up until recently when I looked at the stats from Manhattan Beach AVP... the one where Simo and Muno played together. Simo's hitting stats were a lot better. This seems to be a common prediction, Claes/Muno I mean, but why would Kelly pick Muno over Betsi or Stockman? I think we overlook Flint because she's a vet and has been out there a long time, but she is only 29 (Muno is 25) and is a better player right now - and was better at 25 - than Muno is. Also not a huge fan of Emily's but she has had real success at the international level. Maybe her age and lack of potential for growth is a little more concerning, but its hard to see what Muno does very well at the international level and her athleticism, likewise, isn't exceptional. Stockman is bigger, more dynamic as an attacker and - I think - has a ton of points. Brazil should tell us more possibly, but its such a weak field who knows. I see Delaney and Muno as similar players. Strong all around, good additions to a nice, deep, domestic tour, but winning international events or being in the mix for same?
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