Posts by Le Petit Prince

Standing at 193cm, Birykova has decent service reception for her height. She got blocked many times as she hit straightly to the hands of the opponents, if she improves her skills in the future, I think she can be a good outside hitter as Russia needs tall and offensive players.

There are quite many good middle blockers in Russian Superleagues these two years, but I think the main concern is not whether they can perform well in international matches, instead, it the mentality of the setters that counts. Russian setters are kind of predictable as they set most of the balls to the OH and OPP, say Gamova, Obmochaeva and Kosheleva, especially in critical moments. The setters need to make better use of and have faith in their middle blockers who are tall and strong and capable of scoring more points actually, so as to add more varieties and speed in the games.

I agree with you that Goncharova is in really good shape. Apart from her height and power, she is more steady now and her winning spike percentage is like 45% or more in every match. If Gamova does not join the national team, she is the first OPP for sure.

As for the middle blockers, Morozova scores less this season, it has something to do with the setters as she spiked only like five times in a five-set match. Shlyakhovaya is mostly on the bench this season, so she is not in her peak form. Orlova has been fantastic, she does well in spikes and blocks, and she played as OPP in some matches, she can definitely secure a spot in Team A and even in starting six. Fetisova scores more in blocks than spikes, if the coach wants a blocking MB, then it is likely to see her again the starting six. Zaryazhko is in good shape, she had a record-breaking 13 block points in one match. Podskalnaya does not play as a starting six player in every match as there are many MBs in her team Krasnodar, she plays well in slide attack and blocks. So, the above six players will fight for four spots in the national team this year.

Sokolova is always willing to help the national team, but as she said in the interview, she needs rest after a long club season and she does not have time to reach her peak form to play in the World Cup. Actually, have the Russian Volleyball Federation ever considered ending the competitions of the Super Leagues a bit earlier so that the players can have more time to rest and prepare for the three major competitons?

With the absence of Sokolova, I believe Kosheleva and Kutyukova are very likely to be the outside hitters in the starting six in Team A. The fucntion of Kutyukova in the team is kind of similar to Makhno before, not tall but receiving solidly and spiking with power. As for the third and fourth OH, Pasynkova is a good choice, but she has been on the bench in Krasnodar, so her form is in question. Markova is in great shape this year so she has a good chance to secure a spot. Personally I think Kurilo deserves a spot too as she receives quite well and she really goes for her spikes, not just trying to place them or tip them.

Apart from the outside hitters, how about the candidates for players in other positions? Lets share our views.

I am always very interested to know what language the coach talks to his players from different countries in daily training or time-out during a match. Does the Russian clubs hire any translator for communicating with the foreign players? I notice when watching the matches in Russian Superleague that the coach, for example, Ushakov, does not speak English during time-out. He sometimes gestures to Fabiola when he wants to convey some messages about setting techniques to her. Maybe he tells her in simple English during that time, but I can't hear clearly. So, do the foreign players play by their instinct on court only in such situation as they can't get the advice from their coaches? Or they are experienced enough that they can play on their own?