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

This past Sunday, I was in a volleyball conundrum. The USA Men and the USA Women played at the same time. Ironically in very different time zones as the men played France in France and the women played Brazil in Brazil. Both coming out victorious, 3 sets to 1 set, on the opponent’s home court. I spent part of my Sunday flipping screens on my computer to watch them both. Continue Reading

The Top 35 U.S. Players of All Time

Volleyball Magazine just came out with the Top 35 U.S. Players of All Time.  I appreciate the list to bring these great players to light and recognition to the history of our game.  I’m not sure if I agree with the order (especially Gene Selznick), but that’s half the fun of a list.  How many of these great players do you know and recognize?  I believe it is extremely important for the continued growth of our sport in the United States to know (and want to play like) these players. Continue Reading

Logan Tom in the July 2009 issue of Volleyball Monthly:

“In the end it’s not the talent that it comes down to; it’s about will and character.   The physical part has little to do with being successful.  Of course you have to be athletic.  For myself, I’m average physically.  There are girls who jump higher and hit harder.  But it’s mentally how you react in different situations.”

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