Posts by wanderingwino

Congratulations to China and Jenny Lang Ping (USA should have kept you)

And an amazing accomplishment to Serbia. Be proud!

Pool A
06.08 Japan - Korea : 2-3
06.08 Brazil - Cameroon : 3-0
07.08 Russia - Argentina : 3-0

08.08 Japan - Cameroon : 3-0
09.08 Russia - Korea : 3-2
09.08 Brazil - Argentina : 3-1

10.08 Russia - Cameroon : 3-0
11.08 Korea - Argentina : 3-0
11.08 Brazil - Japan : 3-1

12.08 Argentina - Cameroon : 3-1
13.08 Russia - Japan : 3-1
13.08 Brazil - Korea : 3-1

14.08 Korea - Cameroon : 3-1
15.08 Japan - Argentina : 3-0
15.08 Brazil - Russia : 3-0

Pool B
06.08 China - Netherlands : 3-0
06.08 USA - Puerto Rico : 3-0
07.08 Serbia - Italy : 3-2

08.08 China - Italy : 3-0
08.08 USA - Netherlands : 3-0
08.08 Serbia - Puerto Rico : 3-0

10.08 China - Puerto Rico : 3-0
10.08 Italy - Netherlands : 3-2
10.08 USA - Serbia : 3-2

12.08 China - Serbia : 3-1
12.08 USA - Italy : 3-0
12.08 Netherlands - Puerto Rico : 3-0

14.08 Serbia - Netherlands : 3-2
14.08 Italy - Puerto Rico : 3-0
14.08 USA - China : 1-3

I love Centoni. Her RC Cannes teams were so fun to watch. I love Centoni. And this is a talented team. Best of luck in Rio.

In USA professional leagues (NBA, NFL) coaches are often expected to work with difficult personalities because their talent and abilities help the team win. Kiraly seems to be thinking differently. No chance given to Hooker. Courtney as 3rd setter for her positive personality, but not necessarily her talent. Listening to the coaches in the huddle during Grand Prix, all positive, no change of emotion or tone of voice, which is very un-american when compared to professional football, baseball, and even the USA men's volleyball teams of which Kiraly was a leader and standout player.

If coaching is risk vs reward... Courtney over Hooker? Over Logan? Over Hagglund? Over Fawcett? Over a 4th middle/blocker like Crimes? Many many good players left out and it seems the reason is lack of personality.

Still, Kiraly's team did win world championship and he is the best volleyball player ever. I'll be rooting for USA to win gold.

FINAL SIX

Pool J
06.07 USA 3-0 Netherlands
07.07 China 3-0 Netherlands
08.07 USA 3-2 China

Pool K
06.07 Thailand 0-3 Brazil
07.07 Russia 3-1 Brazil
08.07 Thailand 1-3 Russia