Second Pool Match
U.S. Men's National Team vs. Panama

Match Score: 3-0 (25-13; 25-15; 25-8)

Starters:  Setter: Kevin Hansen; Opposite: Evan Patak; Middles: Andy Hein and Tom Hoff; Leftsides: Reid Priddy and Riley Salmon; Libero: Alfie Reft.

Highlight statistics:

The time it took including 2 technical timeouts per set, 2 timeouts by Panama in each set: 1:07

Evan Patak racked up his usual array of aces with 6.  Reid Priddy got into the mix hitting 0.50 with a couple of aces. It was a balanced team performance without any real revelations.

It must be noted that when Patak misses a serve it is interesting. Without question he can bring some heavy heat.

Conditions: Clear and Balmy outside. More folks inside than yesterday. Match time: 6 p.m.

This day started with serve and pass practice. These guys know what they need to warm up and it is an education for any coach to observe. Aaron Brock, the team athletic trainer, leads them through an interesting stretching regimen as a team. Then each player - either by himself or with a partner - does what is needed to get these finely tuned machines up to game speed. They know what to do and do it. This was the first time Clay Stanley and Reid Priddy were able to game up. 

Watching Clay getting all of his engines going was uplifting to all that have USA on their backs. After some extensive stretching and light ball handling, a few shadow jumps, it was time to work with Kevin and Jon Winder on some hitting timing.

Reid also was going through his own prep. As one of the primary passers Reid stepped into the tri-line and passed, adjusting his posture and platform; and then after passing, began working on his left-side approach. He hit at about 60% heat which would be 100% for most normal volleyball playing humans. He mixed in his shots: wrist aways, line shots; line chops; deep cross court corners adding warmth as he went along concluding with a few serious rips.

In the meantime opposite hitter Clay, who isn't in the serve-receive scheme, worked on his approaches on the left, right and out of the back row. It reminded me of Major League outfielders warming up. They start with a little short toss about 30 feet apart emphasizing correct mechanics. You go to the snack bar get a dog and a Coke, wince at the incredible expense and return to watch the warm-ups. At first, you can't locate the two fielders. Then you see the same two out fielders with the full stadium field width between them, one being on the right field line and the other on the left; same mechanics. However, the ball is now travelling the distance most people get a plane ticket for. 

After a few rhythm swings Clay turned up the temperature and he was dangerous to anyone near who wasn't paying attention. The mechanics were the same - the velocity a blur.

The staff exchanged knowing smiles that Priddy and Stanley were in the house and tuned.

Tonight is Canada; young, big, fit, and motivated. They beat Mexico yesterday, 3-1. The winner of tonight's match gets a bye to the semis and tomorrow off. There will be a significant benefit for having Thursday off as will be noted in detail tomorrow. 

Approximately 23,000 civil servant workers lost their jobs early in the week.

Oops.

A massive general strike / protest is planned for Thursday with the intent of shutting down the city and Island. We have had meetings with officials on the potential effect on the tournament. Alternative plans are in place for transportation to and from practice and matches.

They assured the delegations that protests in Puerto Rico are non violent. Uh Huh. More than 23,000 unhappy folks and many friends marching in close quarters; I doubt they will singing joyous songs. I am sure most will be happy to see a bunch of big fellas playing volleyball. I was chuckling with Coaches Knipe, Sato, and Sullivan that these types of opportunities to get better and stronger are not usually found in coaching manuals or discussed in clinics.

We are prepared, however; should be interesting.

Back tomorrow.