|
|
Post by c4ndlelight on May 8, 2022 11:36:55 GMT -5
Also the top 3 (at least) players on the floor tonight in the NCAA Men's Final were not American .....By a long shot. The 4 best players for the winning team were all foreign, and the losing team was a Bulgarian one-man show. |
|
|
|
Post by LongSpatch on May 8, 2022 11:39:31 GMT -5
I think we are just fine for Paris but have some serious work to do after. If it’s true that Ma’a and Worsley are forgoing this summer’s tournaments for their out of system thing, then that’s a bummer. I mean, it’s good for Tuaniga. Anyways, they’d be playing for back up setter but I would think Ma’a at least had a really good chance to shine. the USA gym has a toxic atmosphere. Maa Worsley and many others not going |
|
|
|
Post by Disc808 on May 8, 2022 13:03:38 GMT -5
What young players are we talking about? Gasman definitely in; Tyler Mitchem perhaps? Joel Schnidmiller (Who played in Nedtherland) Jake Hanes & that Lewis OH (who played in Div 2 of Poland) That’s it. That’s our eligible ‘young players’. Any college ‘future stars’ would still likely go to Pam Am Cup and try to win a medal which they haven’t been able to do for many years. This is the reality of US mens volleyball, vastly different from womens. What they achieved in the last two quads (2 World Cup, 1 WC and 1 Olympics medals) were extraordinary considering the talent pool this country has, which comprises only dozens of pro players and 20 D1 programs. Mitchem should’ve gone pro instead of staying in college for so long. But I’m not sure what his goals are. Wish Gabi was eligible already lol. |
|
|
|
Post by Disc808 on May 8, 2022 13:20:36 GMT -5
I would say in the NCAA, I’d invest in McHenry, Briggs, Mitchem, and Rottman. Not a comprehensive list, and there’s definitely some other names worthy of being in the pipeline but I think we need to see how these players look professionally. But those are the ones who come to mind immediately.
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on May 8, 2022 13:43:45 GMT -5
For players in college I would add Sani and maybe Jenness.
|
|
|
|
Post by akbar on May 8, 2022 15:05:02 GMT -5
On a really positive note.
Our veterans Anderson, Holt, Christenson, Shoji and Smith have all been solid to terrific down the playoff stretches. Russell has been elite.
|
|
|
|
Post by bruinsgold on May 8, 2022 15:11:41 GMT -5
To add to the NCAA list: I'd love to see more investment in Spencer Olivier. He needs to work on his serve and block, but he's really grown as a defender, passer, and attacker. He's unfortunately had an average setter that hasn't given him the best looks but when he's given the chance, he's delivered.
I'm still angry with Mitchem and now Wildman 😒
|
|
|
|
Post by bruinsgold on May 8, 2022 15:15:29 GMT -5
I would say in the NCAA, I’d invest in McHenry, Briggs, Mitchem, and Rottman. Not a comprehensive list, and there’s definitely some other names worthy of being in the pipeline but I think we need to see how these players look professionally. But those are the ones who come to mind immediately. I hope we don't mess around with Briggs like we've done in the past with great liberos! He needs to be in the gym every summer. I'd written McHenry off because he'd struggled with blocking but he sure has come on strong down the stretch this year. Would really love to see him develop on the next level. Someone has to fix Rottman's passing... |
|
|
|
Post by Logan Tom Fan on May 8, 2022 15:31:27 GMT -5
I would take Wildman and Kobrine from USC on the outsides, McHenry and Mitchem in the middle, and Schlothauer on the right side and invest in those athletes for the National team. I like Rottman on the out, but his attitude is what keeps him from being a complete player. Doesn’t know how to accept defeat. Buckholz for Ball State has potential for growth too in the middle being just a Freshman.
|
|
|
|
Post by BeachbytheBay on May 8, 2022 15:45:48 GMT -5
I would suggest we offer asylum to all the foreign players on the final four teams
|
|
|
|
Post by ant on May 8, 2022 15:53:56 GMT -5
I would say in the NCAA, I’d invest in McHenry, Briggs, Mitchem, and Rottman. Not a comprehensive list, and there’s definitely some other names worthy of being in the pipeline but I think we need to see how these players look professionally. But those are the ones who come to mind immediately. I hope we don't mess around with Briggs like we've done in the past with great liberos! He needs to be in the gym every summer. I'd written McHenry off because he'd struggled with blocking but he sure has come on strong down the stretch this year. Would really love to see him develop on the next level. Someone has to fix Rottman's passing... Mchenry is still new to the middle position. He was recruited as an opp and converted after his redshirt year. UCLA recruited 20 middles. Cole K was an opp moved to OH last year. He was recognized as honorable all American last year and got lost in the roster this year. Norris and McHenry were both opp who moved to middle. |
|
|
|
Post by Disc808 on May 8, 2022 16:10:46 GMT -5
The USA system really does rely on getting players in the pro circuit and seeing how they do. With covid, it definitely has set things back. I just don't see a ton of young guys that excite me right now... it also doesn't help that federations across the world are getting their young talent into pro leagues earlier.
Looking at some of the youth/junior teams in the past couple of years and the talent level doesn't seem to be at the same level as past years. I'm probably being a bit harsh, but players like Knight, Solan, Hill, Gates, etc. who have been in the USA pipeline but haven't really made big waves. It will probably takes years of development for a lot of the current/recently graduated NCAA players to even be at a serviceable level for the National Team. I'm not saying that's surprising, but after Paris I expect a lot of turnover and there might be a lot of growing pains. We are lucky to have some really talented veteran players and a decent amount of "younger" talent to rely on, but even then I'm not sure how they will hold up in the next couple years.
|
|
|
|
Post by volleylbc on May 8, 2022 17:56:25 GMT -5
When Shaw posted on his IG story a few weeks ago that we was back in the USA gym I thought huh? No Ma’a again this summer? What’s going on?
Do we think Briggs > Gage? Just Curious because I think both players are amazing!
|
|
|
|
Post by raian13 on May 8, 2022 18:05:08 GMT -5
When Shaw posted on his IG story a few weeks ago that we was back in the USA gym I thought huh? No Ma’a again this summer? What’s going on? Do we think Briggs > Gage? Just Curious because I think both players are amazing! Briggs > Gage? Gage is a 3 time 1st Team AA and has a championship under his belt. Also he’s playing pro this season. I’d also like to mention his attitude on the court constantly cheering on his teammates when they get a point and gather them around when they lose. Briggs is a diva! |
|
|
|
Post by backinthesaddle on May 8, 2022 18:29:10 GMT -5
Briggs a Diva???😂😂😂😂
I’ve watched him in the USA gym for many years as well as last summer and he is an extremely disciplined and hard working athlete.
|
|
