Davis, acting as a mental coach, ruined the team when she felt the pressure as Brazil began bombarding them with serves during the 2012 Olympic final lol

Quote from fire_erik_sullivan

Igiede tore her ACL, she is done.

Gray, Colyer, Plummer, etc declined.

He didn't invite Lanier, Jimerson, or Bannister.

Butler?

Quote from Realista

President of Turkish federation like a week ago said that from his understanding, Russia won't be back prior to the OG 2028 (so I guess he meant not at the OG 2028), so I wouldn't overreact with this 'almost certain'.

If you haven't been following the news, Belarus has already been authorized to return.

We have statements from Świderski and a Russian deputy; they must have some basis for saying the return is in 2027, especially Sebastian, who is in direct contact with the FIVB.

I don't know why this discussion is being brought up again.

Markova refused to become a naturalized last year and played for Russia in the friendly against Serbia.

And it's almost certain that Russia will return in 2027; we already have the president of the Polish federation, Świderski, "crying" about how difficult it will be to grant visas for players to play in the World Cup in Poland.

Quote from VBdiamond

I compared them to Greece in 2004, not USA in 2004.

Sorry, I guess it's my age lol

Quote from VBdiamond

LA 2028 is likely going to be like Athens 2004 for Greece. USA will just be there, no ambition. I can't see anything good on the horizon with another very bad coach like Sullivan. Whoever comes next after Sullivan will have to build the team from zero, like Lang Ping did...

The USA were one of the favorites in 2004, coming off a WC runner-up finish (they only missed out on the title because Philipps didn't play in the final).

That Group B was very balanced; any team could have finished 1st or 4th (Germany and Dominican Republic probably would have reached the quarterfinals if they had been in Group A).

I believe the USA's situation in 2028 is more similar to that of 2000.

Only the players who play in the final will be eligible to be voted for.

I would give Vargas a break in the VNL and let Alexia play.

Quote from runnerupster

I think countries like Turkey etc. maybe Kazakhstan, Serbia, Azerbaijan etc. and other nations should make some kinda deal with Russians in general ngl if CEV and FIVB keep this ridiculousness up I think it's fair.

Putin would invade all those countries before allowing this.

And the FIVB allowed the Russian youth teams to return, and that will prevent any other country from stealing their talent.

Guewe Diouf and Olinga-Andela?

Only an idiot like the vice president of Conegliano could manage to unite Brazilians and Turks on Twitter.

It's a shame the team won't be in São Paulo again; I'm sure the fans would have grabbed the skunks from Osasco and released them on top of them lol

Quote from fire_erik_sullivan

Jenna Gray is not joining the NT this summer.

Controversial opinion, but I don't think Jenna Gray is good, but she's well below all the recent American setters.

Her ball handling with the midfielders makes Carlini look like Lo Bianco.

Quote from serdar

Nowadays we have an undisputable Big 5 in Opp position ( AKA Vargas, Boskovic, Egonu, Haak, Antropova). Do we have such a consensus on other positions? To me, based on their overall achievements, and their current shape:

Setters: Maja, Wolosz, Cansu, Orro, Elif

Outsides: Markova, Gabi, Arina, Ebrar, Zhu

Middles: Zehra, Fahr, Julia K, Kurtagic, Eda (or WYY or Jack?)

Liberos: MDG, Castillo, Kojima, Fersino, Simge (or Gizem?)

What are your thoughts?I'm sure many have different preferences, I'm just curious if there's any sort of consensus on other positions too like we do in opposites

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My friend, I like you a lot, but sometimes your adoration for Turkish women goes too far.

Nobody would put Elif and Simge (or Orge) in their current Top 5.

I would have given the award for best setter to Cansu and the award for MB to Fahr.

Regarding the first match, I'm still trying to understand why Santarelli benched Zhu in the 4 set when she was the team's best attacker.

If they have a championship selection and leave Jack out, it will be so unfair; she is by far the best MB in the CL.

I love watching Eczacibasi play because they don't have a super OPP, they have to involve all the players, it's a pleasure to watch, it reminds me of the teams from the 2000s.

I've said it here a few times, Plummer can be crucial in inhibiting Antropova, and Bregoli needs to know how to use her.

In the final part of set 2, she was fundamental in that regard.

Quote from volleySrb

Can you explain how Flamengo setter surviving this trainings?

That has to be the best explanation lol

It's funny how Velasco always says, "Only call up the starters."

But for the B team he called up Costantini, who was the 5th middle blocker for Novara, and not Squarcini or Acciarri.