USA NT 2014

    Rebecca Perry has gained an italian citizenship...did she ever live in Italy? 8|

    USA Players will change citizenship as in basketball.

    Many good Players and from Them more than 75% won't play in USA NT.

    So They will try to find place in other NT.

    Quote from Emil

    Rebecca Perry has gained an italian citizenship...did she ever live in Italy? 8|


    Her mother side of the family had italian ascendancy, so she could request for the citizenship. So next season (most likely lega will only allow it for next season) she can play for Busto as an italian.

    This is only because there are so many spots on the roster. If you want to play in the Olympics, but have the ability through family heritage, many players will take that chance.


    A great example was Yoko Zetterland. She was born in America and her mother was Japanese. She played in junior national system in Japan, but by college, they did not bring her back.


    Terry Liskevych then US National Coach, found out from a Japanese coach who was a friend that she had dual citizenship and she was invited for a tryout with the USA team. She went on to win bronze in 1992 with the USA team.

    I have forgotten to mention this in here.. I am really surprised to see Murphy being so rough, she has really poor technique.. I don't refer to attack but ll the other skills.. She has a bad defense, not a good block and she is a poor free ball passer.. It's surprising because she used to play as a setter in college too, so usually setters are good in all the other stuff.. Don't that she has to be, because look Destinee is bad at some things too, we know how bad she passes free balls and some easy deflections from the block but her block is A-mazing and she has a good defense, better than Murphy..


    Also If Murphy wants to be a leader for USA she has to bring more variety in her attack.. She better watch some of Neslihan's matches and see how she does it.. When the ball is not good there are many things to be done with those, not just tip into opponents hands..

    I think Murphy did a good WCH overall, she did some great matches in first 2 rounds of the tournament...indeed, when it came to decision time she felt a bit the pressure I think. Fawcett was more of a leader than her in many moments even. (btw, how well worked Thompson-Fawcett duo...really, they were a big advantage for USA).


    But, that said, she has a lot of room to grow. I think she will find out with time what needs to be done in some moments of the game.


    Really, if USA gets that confidence, that winning mentality in next couple of years, other teams should start to really be worried with USA for the Olympics.

    Quote from joanamss

    Yes, I think Hill was the best american player by far. Its impressive how fast she learns.


    I am pretty happy for USA (I mean I am over the moon :D :D :D ) so that's why I didn't want to write all the stuff that I did not like, but well...


    Kim Hill is a player who I don't like. Not as a person, only as a player.. I saw nothing special in her. She proved me wrong and she played great.. BUT that doesn't change the fact the she still may not be something special and I need to see her playing like this in Italy with her club this season to say yes, she really improved.. This system has been working the best for her, from all the other girls.. She has the height and can use it when one blocker up, or none.. She learned to hit some great angles, that's what I really liked.. She used to be so slow in defense, but this LB position allows her not to run to dig the ball as OHs in MB usually do she digs some balls here too..


    So I really hope she proves me wrong and plays great in Italy with Novara as she did with USA NT.


    P.S. I have nothing against her, and she doesn't have to be a great player as long it works for the USA she can be on court.. :drink:

    From what I observed, Kim Hill's improvements were technical in nature. It wasn't as if she just got lucky and played a few matches. Her shot selection was good, her serve is good, her passing improved and stabilized and she looked overall more comfortable and in control of her technique in various fundamentals. I too was apprehensive as to how she would adapt following her passing issues and limited attacking ability last year both with the NT and Poland but I am sure that she will find success this year in Italy. She might not replicate her WCH performance every night, but she will be improved.


    Murphy has been a capable OPP and has been able to surpass Fawcett, who has been training with the NT for longer, for a starting position. However, a lot of teams really rely on their OPPs in key moments and I think that's an area she'll have to grow into for the US team to really have success. The rotation that she attacks from position 4 is also a very weak rotation for the team and she will need to develop a better attack from that position. Her success is also very dependent on passing. The US had quite a good passing performance which allowed her to get good attacking situations. In a predictable offense I am not so sure how much they can rely on her. Granted Hooker has PLENTY of issues, her skill level, when in he prime is just undeniable. Whether it be the quicker sets that the USA is running, out of the backrow from position 1 or 5, she really is just a spectacular attacker. While the USA certainly proved that they don't need her to win a tournament, I would at least like to see what sort of impact she has on the squad, should she be able to resolve her personal issues and be able to integrate herself back into the program.


    One of the bright spots for me was Kayla Banwarth. I have been a very vocal critic of Nicole Davis who was quite frankly never a great passer and was always primarily known for her defense. Banwarth can receive serve well and she seems to have much greater confidence in her skill. I think she also provides great defense and overall fits the team. I'm glad that she has stuck with the program and taken time to develop and get starting time.


    Larson is a proven commodity at this level so I won't go much into her. Same for Dietzen and Akinradewo, both of whom are visibly not in their top physical shape. Akinradewo still doesn't appear to be swinging at full capacity and Dietzen's jumping ability looks hindered. I hope that they are able to take care of their injuries and get into their top shape.


    I've always had an affinity for Carli Lloyd, but I think Glass and Thompson really compliment each other well and did an admirable job. Glass is a fantastic setter when she has good passing to work with and I think she overall makes good decisions. No setter is perfect, but I think she does what is required of her and does a good job of leading the team. Thompson is a prime example of a role player who has fully accepted her role and does her best to have a positive impact in the limited time she sees on the floor. She also comes off the bench well and is able to set a full offense without needing rotations to really get into rhythm. My only concern with Thompson is that her front court ability is a huge liability in the case that there is injury. In 2012, when Berg had an injury at the OG, there was a noticeable difference in the quality of the offense when Thompson started full time.


    Moving into the following years, it will be interesting which backup players make strides and which if any new players are able to make the OG roster. Robinson is a promising talent but I am not sure she can progress to the level to make the final roster. However, I would have said the same thing about Hill last year so you never know. It will also be interesting to see what sort of form Hodge comes back in. Her passing was always an issue and the quicker offense is heavily dependent on good passing. Hildebrand I've never been a fan of and don't want to see on the final roster. She's peaked and is too unstable IMO. Hooker is the biggest question mark at this point. In her prime, there is no way she's left off the roster. Would Kelly Murphy be as effective as Fawcett off the bench in the double sub situation? Dixon has played the serving specialist role and has adapted to this level pretty quickly. Adams IMO has more potential and with a little more polishing I think could really be a dominant MB. Beyond making the OG roster, there are a lot of talented setters that I hope the program continues developing in some capacity.

    Quote from ossubtus

    can someone tell me what is this drama about hooker, and why she left the NT? or was taken off the NT?


    Karch has a rule that you cannot bring a kid inside the gym but Hooker brought her kid and husband. Karch reprimanded her but when the other player brought her niece to the gym, Karch did not react to it. This made Hooker furious hence the drama hence why she left NT. I think this issue can still be resolved if both can mature. Both have diva attitude if you know what I mean.