Russian NT 2015

I was really impressed by Pasynkova's performance during WGP Final Round, I hope she continues that form to WC. She would be my pick for OH2 position, if only for her serves! I think this is Russia's best lineup/rotation for WC:

Pasynkova-Orlova*Fetisova-Goncharova
Kosianenko-Lyubushkina*Shlyakhovaya-Kosheleva

Pasynkova/Kosheleva are one of the best blockers from Position 4, and of course, Goncharova!
The glaring problem really during GP was the lack of scoring alternatives but with Kosheleva back (is it confirmed?!), Goncharova would be less pressured and at least they would be less "predictable".
If only Shlyakhovaya were healthy and ready to play, Russia can at least improve their defense against middle attacks which IMO was their biggest problem, opponents scoring too may points. If not, Zaryazkho would be a good alternate for Lyubushkina as scoring MB but she has not been a really good blocker as far as I can remember.. With that lineup, Orlova/Fetisova would not need to attack really and just focus on the blocking. Lastly, if Malova (and Goncha) continues their great form to WC, and if Kosheleva at least remains stable, I think they can give either US and China a run for their money.

So the team is alreaady practicing for the WC.

The better thing I got from the GP final round is the determination to return to the 2013 tactics: decent/good passing, plus good block/defense unit.

I agree that Zaryazhko deserved to be in the A team. But I don't think that Shlyakhovaya will be in a bad shape. She didn't play in the GP mainly for precaution, and we need to remember that the few times she performed for Omichka, she played very well.

My other disagreement with Marichev is about the apparent abense of Bavykina. Unfortunately, Ilchenko didn't play well, she only showed her game against China in the 1º round. I believe that with Isaeva (who is already trainning with the team to, probably, replace Malykh) and Bavykina together in the team, Goncha and Kosha could fully rest in at least 5 of the 12 matches of the WC.

I also liked Orlova performance in the GP final round. She's still absent in attack, but she has the potential to do better and, the most important, her block improved a lot. I think her block duo with Goncharova will cause a lot of damage in the WC.

Another hope for future a better performance is the presence of Startseva. Pankova is in the worst phase of a career recently, so my main spectations about Starseva is about a better setting to the position 3, better blocking and better fixing of bad receptions.

Let's wait. I think Russia can get one of the tickets to Rio in the World Cup.

16 players in training now:

Setter: Ekaterina Kosianenko, Evgeniya Startseva
Opposite Hitter: Daria Isaeva, Natalia Malykh, Natalia Obmochaeva
Middle Blocker: Ekaterina Efimova, Ekaterina Lyubushkina, Ekaterina Orlova, Irina Fetisova, Anastasia Samoilenko (Shlyakhovaya)
Outside Hitter: Ksenia Ilchenko, Tatiana Kosheleva, Alexandra Pasynkova, Yana Shcherban
Libero: Victoria Kuzyakina, Anna Malova

No Zaryazhko...no Bavykina...Isaeva is the only B team player who was promoted to A team but I guess only because of Malykh's injury. What a stubborn person Marichev must be

Yes, Marichev is showing a quite stubborn attitude.

This is really my main concern: I'm not sure if a Ilchenko/Scherban duo, along with Isaeva, have enough consistency in attack to hold an entire game. My fear is that Kosha and Goncha will be overused. It would be a disaster, particularly because Russia will face USA and China in a row, and they must win at least one of these 2 matches.

She will probably joined NT for Olympics, and that will be very bad for volleyball. We want new players and Russia has that players

It seems unbelievable, but the director of the Russia NT just said that Shlyakhovaya will not be ready to play in the World Cup. And Zaryazhko wasn't called to join the team !!

http://www.rsport.ru/volleyball/20150811/853432156.html

And I also agree about Sokolova. She'll accept an invitation to the Olympics, even if she's in a wheelchair.

It makes wonder who the wingers will be in Rio. Supposing Marichev calls 5 outsiders, my bet is: Gamova, Kosha, Goncha, Sokolova and Pasynkova. Sokolova will be a dead weight, but I hope the other 4 can carry the team on.

And where is Julija Morozova MB ??

Quote from Emil

Liubov Sokolova not joining NT this year.
http://www.russiavolley.com/72…o-join-the-national-team/

Good call by her, I was hoping that she wouldn't embarrass herself with that horrible shape.

Good, and I don't want her in the Olympics either. It would be unfair for those who worked hard during international season to not get a change because Sokolova's name got her in.

I do agree that the team needs Zarayzhko since Samoylenko is still injured.

Zaryazhko should be in - she desrved for it, especially when we won't have Samoylenko (Shlyakhovaya) here

so roster for WC can be:

S: Startseva, Kosianenko
OP: Obmochaeva, Isaeva (Malykh out)
OH: Kosheleva, Pasynkova, Shcherban, Ilchenko
MB: Lyubushkina, Orlova, Fetisova, Efimova
L: Malova, Kuzyakina

if they take only 12, then Efimova and Kuzyakina would be out

Without Shlyakhovaya or Zaryazkho, Russia's biggest problem would be defending middle attacks. This was the only other "enhancement" besides Kosheleva and Startseva joining the team. Speaking of Startseva, I think she will only be backup setter seeing Kosianenko has such great connection with Goncharova, Lyubushkina what do you guys think

sorry but where is Gamova ?

Interesting news about the release of E. Efimova, makes me wonder if Marichev heard our prayers Hey, I'm not expecting Yulia Morozova to join the team anytime soon, but if Shlyakhovaya is not able to play, I hope to see Zaryazkho as her replacement. The state of current Russian MB's:

Lyubushkina - good attacker, weak blocker
Orlova, Fetisova - weak attacker, good blocker (block duo of Orlova and Goncharova was really efficient in WGP Finals)

I have pointed out many times, defensively speaking, the rotation where Lyubushkina in the front row is Russia's weakest. Shlyakhovaya or even Zaryazkho can help remedy this. With Kosheleva back (and, depending on her current form) i don't think russia needs a scoring MB that much compared in WGP.

How may is allowed in roster for WC? 14? If so,I want to see Isaeva in place of Malykh. It's only a week away looking forward to WC

Quote from Emil

I have such a strong feeling that Marichev will take all the girls and Nastya will be staying outside of the bench, just like in WGP. I'm doubtful though, 3 MBs for 11 games is not sufficient at all.

You are right, it's just too big of a risk. Do we really know the extent of Nastya's injury? I mean, she has been out in NT for almost a year already, and, it's not like she hasn't played at all in club. I remember back in 2013, Russia had a very good block-defence unit, I hope they return to that.