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

Ever wonder how Megan Hodge would fair playing international volleyball?  Now’s your chance to watch her play with one of USA Volleyball’s great setters, Lindsey Berg.

Megan had a stint with the USA Women’s National Team in the World Grand Prix where she earned limited playing time.  Jordan Larson (University of Nebraska) and high flying Destinee Hooker (University of Texas) played in front of her on that team.  In fact, Destinee was one of the top point scores for the tournament. Continue Reading

When Cynthia Barboza graduated from Stanford University, she had one full additional season of practice and playing experience than most college volleyball players.  The NCAA Final Four is about one month after the end of the regular season.  Add one month per year Cynthia played (4 years) and that equates to 4 extra months.  The typical collegiate season lasts 3 months (September through November).  This extra experience at a high level of play, helps the best to get better.

In South Carolina, the USAV Palmetto Region for juniors, typically starts after the high school season, sometime mid-November.  The Palmetto Region Championship usually takes place just after the Big South Tournament in Atlanta, about mid-April.  After the Region Championship, indoor volleyball seems to fade away in the region until summer camps.  There are a few elite teams that practice and play through USAV Nationals in July, but those elite teams are not playing in tournaments at the same intensity as those from larger, more successful regions.  Local competition and tournaments are just not available in those spring time months. Continue Reading