U.S. Women Beaten by Brazil at Grand Prix

1. On August 02, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

   I am very proud of the team. They faught bravely in the first two sets showing a superior performance. It is just as I said, the team is going to be improved slowly. Jordan Larson and Nicole Fawcett proved again why they must stay in the team. It was not the result that I was expecting, but I liked the match.

2. On August 02, 2009 Jeffrey Pelc wrote

   The middle attack needs to be utilized more. It is a huge part of the women's game now, especially because of the effectiveness of the slide attack, but I feel like it was left out slightly in this match. Akinradewo and Harmotto were amazing with the slide attack in college, so clearly, they need to spend some quality time with McGinnis. Obviously, keep feeding Nicole Fawcett - she's a tank (meant in the best way possible).

3. On August 02, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

   I agree with you Jeffrey. Block is the most important detail to be improved not only the women's team, but the men's, too. I'd like to see Tracy Stalls and Lauren Paolini playing together next matches. By the way, I'd like to see all the players that didn't were in those three first games. Certainly the team that have been shown is good. However, it would be interesting see the performance from the other group. OH...there was something wrong in the team. Nicole Fawcett have played as opposite and that was not so good. She should have played as outtside hitter that is her real position, Heather Hughes could have helped very much throughout all those matches.

4. On August 03, 2009 Daniel Gaines wrote

   I saw portions of the match on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BgpoqllIVo&feature=channel, and I agree that the middle attack is SORELY lacking. But more than a setter issue, the US's passing is TERRIBLE. They need better passing so Foluke and Harmotto can play like the world class players they truly are. Moving Fawcett outside won't particularly help that, her passing didn't make her the college POY. And I think Hugh is envisioning her to function in a similar way as Clay Stanley, i.e. a huge outlet hammer that will get kills, blocks, and aces. If she can start hitting as well from the right as she can from the left, I think it's a great move. Just learn to PASS girls!!!

5. On August 03, 2009 Pong T wrote

   Agreed with the serious passing issue and the lack of the middle attack. Overall, we could see some good energy of the players and the team unity. Brazil played with great techniques, execution and adaptability. Each of them has well rounded skills, even their hitters can pass and set very well. Larsen and Fawcett were probably the only two who played in that level. Foluke and Harmotto should be the next two promising players who could move into that level in short time. Watch all FIVB GP 2009 live online at this link. http://www.oskaya.com/tv Universalsports.com also archives all US matches. http://tinyurl.com/fivbGP2009 Track Scores for next weekend http://preview.tinyurl.com/fivbGP2009Scores

6. On August 04, 2009 Jason Texas wrote

   I wish that all those improvements can be done as soon as possible, I know it is not possible making this reality within the next three days, but I hope they correct at least 50% of the mistakes they have been doing because if they lose one more match the situation is going to be a little complicated. Certainly, Hugh McCutcheon is going to use Stacy Sykora in the next matches (I hope so!) and that could be a good decision or things can go from bad to worse if the pass continue like this. Let's wait and see what is going to happen on friday!.

7. On August 05, 2009 Edson Cunha wrote

   Well, I watched the match between the USA and Brazil in Rio last weekend for the World Grand Prix, your team has a lot of potential and in the hands of volleyball legends such as Kirally and McCutcheon we Brazilians feel concerned about that, to say the least. Congratulations for men's volleyball in the last Olympics, though it was very hard to us, on the other hand I feel happy for our gold in women's volleyball, something we had been eagerly waiting for so many years... Edson Cunha A Huge Fan of Volleyball

8. On August 06, 2009 Bob Austria wrote

   We all know that it's hard to run the middles if the pass is not there--way behind the ten foot line. For many years, this seems to be the issue with the American style volleyball, mostly on the women side. I'm sure the coaches are going to do some adjustments on that--make everyone an all around player. On a much brighter note, there's a couple of young US players who already possessed that, mainly Larson. I understand that some players are technically inclined to specific roles only and if that is the case, they could have used Sykora's back row skills in the final match in Beijing. I wonder if the outcome would have been different...

9. On August 07, 2009 Jeffrey Pelc wrote

   Yes, the passing was bad and it's difficult to include a middle attack when you're that far off the net. But, even when we did have the uncommon good pass, Courtney still threw the ball out to the pins. Those were missed opportunities to utilize her middle hitters. And it IS possible to still set a middle attack and it's even more possible to set the slide when you're at the 10-ft line. Look at the men's national team - they do it often (not the slide). The setters just need to take some risks and be dynamic. Good setters can take bad passes and turn them into great sets.

10. On August 08, 2009 Michael Del Homme wrote

    Nice job ladies. You have an awesome squad. Keep up the great work!

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