U.S. men eliminated, Spieler moves on in Elite 90 voting
Men lose to Brazil in five. they needed to win either 3-0 or 3-1. So they are out.
Had several match points in Set 3, the first on an ace by Christenson at 24-23.
E. Shoji with 21 digs.
Spieler moves on to Fan Favorite Elite 90 semifinals.
COMMENTS
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Hope Castillo starts this year. Seen her club tape. Her upside is huge. 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, and 6-2 that could be our front line.
Everybody…..It is not MISHA Hancock. It’s Micha Hancock. But yes, her serve is clearly the best part of her game and it could do some damage. I would have rather seen Karch take Micha instead of Thompson for that last 12th spot. Now that would make sense. She could get on a roll and really swing the match in our favor.
For UH. I would love to see Casey get a really good opportunity to win that OH2 spot. Great blocker and and there were some shots last year that were impressive. If she can get some confidence in her, I think she can be very, very good. The players just need to feel confident. Being confident can totally change a players approach to the game and how she plays.
I will always remember when Hewitt started her sophomore year and she was just a different player…night and day. She was interviewed and asked what was the difference. She said confidence. She just started to believe she was good and you could see it in her swag and the way she played. Once a player feels confidence in her game, even if she makes a mistake, they are quick to forget it and will continue to dominate.
The game just begins to slow down and you can see things you couldn’t before and make adjustments. I remember when I used to play sports…once you turn that confidence level…it really does feel like the game slows down and you can start to see everything different and you react different. You are just a different player.
For some reason, I really do believe that is what Casey needs, especially after her surgery and knowing she is not considered the same player as before the injury. If she can gain her confidence back, I think she will be an All American for us. She was a top recruit before that injury and she showed sparks of her ability last year. Every year, I pick out a player that I really want to see take it to another level. This year, my focus is on Casey. I want to see her confidence build and have her believe that she can be a dominating outside force for us. She already has the backrow skills, but could still be better. She has the height and once she turns that corner…she could be an Emily Hartong type player. I believe that. And I hope it happens this year.
crosfitter, totally agree about Casey.
After watching Minnesota play my vote for next U.S. coach is Hugh McCutcheon. His innovative strategy against Hawaii was refreshing and successful. Neither John Speraw nor Karch Kiraly can match him in strategy. Speraw likes “smash-mouth” power ball but lacks the athletes to overpower the opposition, while Karch is so conservative that he bans jump serves. Practice is all it takes to become proficient in the jump serve (Tayler Higgins has an 87% jump serve percentage.) Charlie Wade, despite not having the superior athletes, has often outwitted Speraw and his All American UCLA team.
blunite … dunno if you know this, but mccutcheon formerly coached the women’s (and men’s) teams. he coached the men to gold in 2008 and the women to silver in 2012.
#2 Totally agree about Casey. I am sure that she is working hard to make the necessary adjustments. You can see the potential from last year. Wishing her the very best this year.
unfortunately Dave’s going start 5-10″ Granato. The writing is on the wall.
Weren’t people excited when Granato signed lol
She looked fantastic in the spring match and against Minnesota, she will surprise! Just watch
Next usa coach will be Dan Fisher he is being groomed for that job, so unless UH hires him before Karch leaves the USA team, Fisher will take over after Karch IMO.
Didn’t coach Karch Kiraly just sign a contract extension through to 2020 with USA Volleyball? Four years is a long time. In either case, we are happy for both of them.
#7 Yeah, Shoji will likely start Granato based on her season ending performance against Minn. McKenna earned it. As for being a 5’10” OH, I remember thinking Elliot was crazy when he started 5’10” Amy Neal at OH for the Longhorns last year. Amy shocked everyone and became Big 12 Player of the Year and AVCA 1st team AA helping Texas to Final 4. I agree also that Casey has huge upside potential. Let them both go at it – as it should be. Who knows – maybe Kirsten Sibley will come in and kick both their butts! It is why we watch!
you can be a 5-10″ hitter if you are quick. It’s the blocking in games 3,4, and 5 that is worrisome.
Serbia wins it all beating Brazil 3-0…
Looking forward to this outcoming season. The Wahine have size and the ability to mix their heights and create possible mismatches. Last season the team experienced the injury bug and this allowed the next Wahine up to display their skills, so as fans, there’s a lot to get excited about ’cause we know we got players.
IMO, how great we are going to be this season will depend on how much work and improvement the returning players come back with, for example(s) improved service and strength. Believe 3 of the new recruits are really going to push for playing time and/or push the starters to always be at their best. Additionally, the Coaching Staff is loaded!
Looking forward to a Final Four Season. Rainbow Wahine…
Been out of it for awhile, but has an Assistant been named yet?
Lindsey Berg..
#13, agree that Serbia will win..but not in 3 and not in Brasil against Brasil. It’s going to be a dog fight 5 gamer with Serbia winning and a VERY quiet gym after that last ball hits the floor. Or a riot..with Brasil, it’s a toss up. I love their passion.
#8, warrior, I love Granato. Not saying she wouldn’t do us proud out there. I just want Castillo to be given her chance because I think she is close to turning that corner…and being really, really good. And probably take over on the right after Nikki is gone because we will need a right sider..it’s where the game is at now.
Dave has a habit of starting his returners at the beginning of the season and can be a little stubborn about it. The only exceptions I can think of is Kanani and Jane. Even Lily sat for the first few matches until Dave couldn’t deny her in the lineup. Anyway, getting off track here.
I just want Casey to be given a chance to really show what she can do on the floor. I think she got the goods. 🙂 We will need her next year for sure!!
17. I meant that Serbia beat Brazil 3-0 in the World League…
17. Serbia didn’t even qualify for the olympics.
Dave will say the same thing about Casey as he did about Megan Huff. Oh she’s behind Nikki at opposite. Once Casey starts getting regulars game reps. She will just blossom. Hope she gets the chance this year.
We all have the best wishes for all players. IMO, where the rubber hits the road, players gotta show their stuff in “practice.” More so, when talent wise, separation is minute. Stuffs like, vocal/honest communication, demonstrated leadership and someone who can raise the bar of excellence while on the floor. WHO are players that help make the TEAM better. As the saying goes, “gotta grind it out, everyday.”
I think the sleeper on this team is Emma Smith, have hopes she’ll be as good/better than the liberos from Florida and UCLA that we faced last year.
Amber Kaufman named an Assistant Coach at Duquesne after a volunteer coaching job at Pittsburgh
http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/071816aab.html
Sorry, I was talking about the women. Where I think everyone is underestimating a very good Serbia team. They have the best setter in the world, probably the best right side hitter in the world, their 2 middles are probably the best middle combo in the world and they got good outside hitters. They just need to put it all together.
So, I still say Serbia takes in Rio. On the women’s side.
I had no idea Serbia men beat Brazil in the world league…now that is interesting.
#20, rabbit, don’t even get me going on Huff. I still turn red when thinking of losing a player like her.
#21, ah yes. Emma Smith. How could I forget about her. I agree, she will make a difference for us as well. How the heck did we score a walk on like her? Geez. She will be our next Katie Spieler. I wish we had Katie back for another 4 more years. That girl will be missed..big time.
I think I mentioned somewhere before that this upcoming season is going to be special. We got the perfect coaching staff in place.
We have both middles who can play all around. We have a rightside that plays all around and both our lefts can play all around. Throw in Emma Smith and Kahakai…holy crap. Then comes the setting. A senior setter, an AMAZING junior and an incoming freshman that could beat them both out.
We have the versatility to play so many different types of plays with who we have this year. I really hope Dave opens up the reigns and lets loose his creativity. There is sooooo much this team can do. This is not your typical team where everyone just plays their one position. He can really open it up. Throw Mitchem for a D set, or Nikki for a pipe or Mags on the outside. Our outsides; Sibley, Greeley, Castillo and Granato are going to be able to fill in pukas of those 3. I predict if we are in the final four or elite 8, we get Nikki, Annie and Mags as AA. Maybe 1 of the OHs and 1 of the 3 setters, whoever wins it out.
1 more month! Bring it Carlini!
can someone tell me how to say duquesne? This is a serious question.
dewKANE.
#24 cross fitter, When Megan left, Coach goes I am so disappointed. Gotta give them some love (PT) coach. Cannot sit a stud for 2 years.
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=38260
new thread up but to comment on some stuff.
We’ll see what happens on the other OH. Comes down to Granato or Castillo.
McCutcheon already coached the women, to silver in 08. If you remember, his father in law was killed while there. It’s why he took the UCLA job then decided not to, moving to Minnesota to be closer to his wife’s family. Which led to Sealy going to the Bruins.
24. i think it will be a very good season but getting to the final four will depend on how the NCAA bracket is set up.
Need to let the Huff situation go. She was a basketball player seeing how good she could be at volleyball. She said as much.
27. what do you want him to say? or Beeman? both coaches spent a lot of time with Huff and they were very disappointed by her decision. Huff didn’t sit for 2 years. sorry, but she wasn’t a volleyball stud. She came in as a raw freshman, saw some playing time. Left VB not even halfway through her sophomore year. Given the injuries that happened later, she would have seen a lot of playing time but she chose to leave volleyball. Then chose to leave basketball and UH.