Posts by Dalje

USA staff took “THE” winning lottery ticket and lit it on fire.

• I said in crisis the USA staff will not have the answers and the players know (knew it). It was all on them. Kiraly, Black, Morrison (did you not learn anything from Gio?), Dumphy, Trinsey all “number guys” with arguably the least amount of women’s international coaching experience in the Olympics.

• Frontrunners without the necessary experience or the knowledge of women’s volleyball to make those subtle adjustments needed to come from behind. Like most numbers “guys” substitutions are about the only adjustments they could make without losing complete control of the match.

• Say this out loud; Serbia played with TWO outsiders (4 hitters) and in the 4th set Malesevic played for the USA so it looked like 7 vs. 5.

• USA arrogance again quickly turned to panic only a greater scale with higher stakes. “That’s probably the best Serbia has ever played” this from Banwarth. Banwarth has only been relevant for a handful of years now so she is not experienced to know how well Serbia can or has played.

• And let’s not forget that this staff have been taking credit for “coaching their way” hmmm these players spend upwards of 9-10 months overseas and 2 months with their national team. Many of the best coaches in the world prepared these players, taught them how to play international volleyball and in one fell swoop; beaten by a team with 4 hitters.

• Thompson decision was a chemistry based decision; hmmm, sure would have been nice to have another hitter since Robinson is clearly not at this level and Hill was reduced to a serving specialist. I will not take away MVP from Hill at WC but if my memory serves me correct we could have just as easily made the same cases for Murphy.

• I saw Robinson and Larson crumble, and the Serbian serve force Glass to destroy Murphy. At that point until Lowe came in the Serbians turned into a 5 vs. game.

• Tell me again why two-left handers? And tell me why you have these left handed players running around the passers when both Murphy and Lowe are perfectly capable of scoring from there (Just look at Murphy at WC’s). Blocking matchups, I get it, but that’s why two left handed oppos is just not very intelligent decision.

I don’t feel sorry for the result; it’s sport and this happens. I feel sorry for the fact that not one USA coach had any answers before the left for Rio and yesterday to help arguable the best teram in the tournament. Unprepared!

Kiraly for 4 more years as Serbian fan YES PLEASE!!!

Idemo Srbja!!

This is most anticipated match for me and will be curious how Serbia will be able to serve, if Nikolic can contribute with some attack and stabilize the reception. I think if she can do this to take first contact pressure away from Mihajlovic Serbia has enough attack with Boskovic, Mihajlovic, and the two middles players to make an honest match for the USA to play.

It was clear that USA staff stayed in 5-1 because setters are weak with first tempo in the three hitter rotations. But with this strategy Murphy or Lowe will have to compliment attack with Akinradewo behind the setter to create balance. Terzic for sure will use different serving tactics than Guidetti so I think USA setters will have easier time to adapt if Hill and Larson can control first ball.

Overall I think USA has strongest team but Serbia has edge I think in coaching, setting and hopefully serving. Nikolic stability will be the key for Serbia.

My general impressions:

Netherlands was the best team yesterday, there service decisions really helped block-defense by creating difficult situations for Glass. So much so I think Kiraly stayed in 5-1 because they had a difficult time scoring with first tempo in front of the setter. Unfortunately Grothues injury was more than meets the eye. Beside her stability in reception she also is a great and precise defensive player I think you will see how Sloetjes quality of attack in transition will diminish of Grothues is unable to come back.

USA has the best team but in my opinion 5-6th best coaching staff. I think in crisis Kiraly (and staff that includes Dunphy) does not have experience to recognize some strategic aspects that change throughout the match and cannot respond so I think it will be up to the players to navigate problems. I don't think encouraging them to celebrate or breathe deeply (or insert cliche here) after lost points is enough to bring the team back from deficit and unfortunately I think the players realize this. I don't like arrogant posturing and I think Americans are know for this but what I saw yesterday was arrogance quickly turn into panic and I am convinced they escaped with victory because of misfortune of Netherlands.

I think Kiraly also second guessing decision to bring the players such as Thompson and Lowe perhaps instead of Fawcett and another multi-faceted player in place of Thompson. Serbia has type of service attack and block to create problems for USA.

I would argue Netherlands was playing the best level of all teams until the injury. Brazil is difficult to tell because they are pacing themselves against Cameroon and Argentina.