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Post by elliotberton on Aug 2, 2019 21:47:19 GMT -5
This evening the US National team trounced Kazahkstan giving up only 37 points in a dominating performance in the first of three matches to qualify for the Olympics.
Carlini seems to have figured how to set Haleigh Washington who had some powerful slide kills mostly in set 1. Haleigh moved really well and had several blocks. She was praised by announcers Sunderland and Barnett.
On the other hand Courtney was the subject to criticism for poor serve receive in set 1, when she gave up some aces. Barnett is "not sold" on Megan as the Libero, though I thought she played better in set 2. Mary Lake played set 3 as Kiraly got lots of back ups into the final set. However Kim Hill and Larsen did not play.
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Post by nyline on Aug 3, 2019 5:41:00 GMT -5
Did anyone else think it was odd that the color commentator felt it necessary (or appropriate) to make the following statement (not a precise quote, but generally correct) about Megan Courtney filling the libero role for the team: "What I can't figure out is why, when there are 300 D1 teams, each with 2 liberos, the United States can't find someone who actually played libero in college to play the position for this team."
Well, maybe they could, but none of them are as good as Megan Courtney? Maybe I missed something he said prior to that, which put the statement in a different context? Or maybe he isn't the brightest bulb? Anyone have insight on this?
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 3, 2019 8:39:35 GMT -5
Did anyone else think it was odd that the color commentator felt it necessary (or appropriate) to make the following statement (not a precise quote, but generally correct) about Megan Courtney filling the libero role for the team: "What I can't figure out is why, when there are 300 D1 teams, each with 2 liberos, the United States can't find someone who actually played libero in college to play the position for this team." Well, maybe they could, but none of them are as good as Megan Courtney? Maybe I missed something he said prior to that, which put the statement in a different context? Or maybe he isn't the brightest bulb? Anyone have insight on this? This is a recurrent theme for Barnett. It is a fair question since in addition to Megan, Robinson was "converted" to Libero last year. The source of the problem has been attributed to the fact that we have no top pro league in the US. Foreign teams don't pay for Liberos so US candidates don't get the international experience needed to receive and pass. Last night I learned that International VB uses a "very different" ball that moves and floats more. So NCAA skills don't always transfer. Meanwhile with fewer subs allowed, international OHs receive constantly. Justine Wong Orantes (sp?} shanked serve after serve and had to be replaced. BTW, while I am a HUGE Courtney fan, I don't think she hits hard enough to make the National team as a hitter. If she weren't such a great passer, she probably would not be playing. Last night was an aberration. |
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Post by nyline on Aug 3, 2019 9:39:46 GMT -5
Thanks. You should send in your resume to replace him. Your explanation is much better.
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Post by nitneliun on Aug 3, 2019 12:08:03 GMT -5
Sunderland and Barnett make the same comments about Megan on every broadcast.
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Post by nyline on Aug 3, 2019 14:10:33 GMT -5
Sunderland and Barnett make the same comments about Megan on every broadcast. Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. (paraphrase of Ralph Waldo Emerson). Here's a question: How tall is the starting libero for China? For Brazil? For Serbia? |
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 4, 2019 13:39:03 GMT -5
Match against Bulgaria was much more difficult than expected, US coming back from 2 sets to 1 to take set 5 by 15 to 10. Coach described US performanceas B minus but to my eye, US played pretty well. Bulgaria is just better than their No. 16 ranking.
Carlini did not set the middles too often so Haleigh only got a few swings. However, Carlini was pretty great blocking, digging and scrambling. Haleigh blocked well had an ace and earned praise from our announcers.
Megan had a better game though her passing was not always perfect. She got criticized early (by Barnett again) but Sunderland gave her kudos for her digging and tip coverage in set 4.
Overall an exciting win that the home crowd seemed to appreciate.
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Post by elliotberton on Aug 4, 2019 15:19:50 GMT -5
Sunderland and Barnett make the same comments about Megan on every broadcast. Barnett really anti Courtney. He "is not sold" on her. In fairness, her serve receive in this tourney was not very good. Robinson and Larsen covered her a lot, and Larsen took a lot of the out of system sets that normally are handled by the Libero. Washington played well. Carlini still struggles to set the middles, but she put away most of her swings, blocked really well and served effectively. Still will be hard for her to make the Olympic team especially if Folouke is ready to go by then. |
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