This was my live match rundown on facebook of the USA vs South Korea match:
Match assessment:
S. Korea had a great gameplan. Hats off to them. High hands on swings and their passing kept them in the match. Their third set was likely their best ever as their other sets showed they can be error prone.
USA is just too physical. Our block, although showing some weaknesses at the pins, is so big it allows for some great defense (sound like Penn State perhaps?).
The double sub worked to perfection. 6’7″ Park was too big and Thompson got the jitters out and ran her middles well. Just a slight change in rhythm. Continue Reading
It’s funny, last night I was watching the USA Mens Team take on Italy in the World League (and congrats to the USA Men for earning a spot in the finals), and was listening to Kevin Barnett talk about Head Coach Alan Knipe not having his line-up set for the Olympics. New-comer Paul Lotman is battling it out with veteran and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Riley Salmon, on the outside. Why I find this amusing is while Kevin Barnett was disappointed the USA Mens Team roster wasn’t set and that “winning the World League was more important”, the USA Women’s Team played a “2nd string” line-up throughout half of the World Grand Prix.
You think Alan Knipe has an interesting dilemma on the Mens Team, how about Hugh McCutcheon on the Women’s Team? Megan Hodge was named World Grand Prix MVP and Best Scorer, but she probably will not start on the Olympic Team. Jordan Larson and Logan Tom will likely start ahead of her (oh yeah, and that leaper, Destinee Hooker, will play opposite). The main reason, the game comes down to serving and passing. Jordan and Logan will start over Megan because of passing. In addition, both players are smarter, more effective hitters than Megan. Continue Reading
