tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34221327073030681532024-02-28T15:43:05.989-08:00Volleyblog SeattleNews and observations about Seattle-area college volleyball, plus the Northwest volleyball scene ...jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.comBlogger740125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-50120994976030131142016-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:002016-10-08T08:40:00.698-07:00College | Courtney Schwan leads Washington over Oregon <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{134}" paraid="738692707" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: #823b0b; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Schwan's serving, attacking hand Ducks their first Pac-12 loss of 2016</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{139}" paraid="485118485" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{142}" paraid="1098995148" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#8 Washington def. #20 Oregon 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-23)<span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tVZnaOnQeyHiKPisTY-FlqGp5NrHONK2yt1B5FtTNFgrZ5MlDWVzBDq41hNplhyphenhyphenLRD3Bd-sgTAQ3e15oalRCXxlDFCXrwRfD3a750aPE6N7PloKpjwWY7QUdZKd2KrnXa07GKtwdVv0/s1600/1610_UWvUO_SchwanCloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tVZnaOnQeyHiKPisTY-FlqGp5NrHONK2yt1B5FtTNFgrZ5MlDWVzBDq41hNplhyphenhyphenLRD3Bd-sgTAQ3e15oalRCXxlDFCXrwRfD3a750aPE6N7PloKpjwWY7QUdZKd2KrnXa07GKtwdVv0/s640/1610_UWvUO_SchwanCloseup.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Washington outside hitter Courtney Schwan<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{149}" paraid="749797912" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">EUGENE—</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Oregon</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">was up 23-21 in the third set, on a 6-2 run. Washington's </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Crissy</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Jones</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, who'd had a sub-par night, rose to stuff Oregon's </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lindsey Vander Weide</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to close the lead to one.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{151}" paraid="2030044156" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{154}" paraid="1980333556" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">And </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Courtney Schwan</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> stepped to the line.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{156}" paraid="1009280472" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ea49a06e-436f-4f3b-bb4d-f7d65975bcc4}{18}" paraid="1833737975" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Schwan, a junior outside hitter, was riding one of the best nights of her </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">career, slamming</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> 14 kills and 3 errors on 42 swings. But all season, her serving had struggled. I</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">t was something she had worked hard </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">all week to correct.</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{161}" paraid="1288759184" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"Find a seam," she said</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, repeating a mantra</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. "Pick a girl you're going to go after and hit no spin after no spin. Good serve after good serve."</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i7wMCJff4TmneKKkJ56K667rNiXXzTnouTCjg9QDMFWev_zIP1ULxDTFgayxhumyOxJwubSw_Jd3HbfoNH9Euj7dfTYAZXiAHVTKleHqt-cijB3bjXLYtHQE5QWywilrzC71X6xiAvA/s1600/1610_UWvUO_BajemaBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i7wMCJff4TmneKKkJ56K667rNiXXzTnouTCjg9QDMFWev_zIP1ULxDTFgayxhumyOxJwubSw_Jd3HbfoNH9Euj7dfTYAZXiAHVTKleHqt-cijB3bjXLYtHQE5QWywilrzC71X6xiAvA/s640/1610_UWvUO_BajemaBlock.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">UW's Kara Bajema (15) puts up a block during a 3-0 win at Oregon<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{164}" paraid="1168784766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{166}" paraid="802338296" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">And so she served. The rally </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">that followed </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">was epic, with extraordinary d</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">efense </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on both sides. UW setter </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Bailey Tanner</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> reached back to punch a</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">n apparently hopeless</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ball back into play. Freshman libero </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shayne McPherson</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> made an </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">eye-popping </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">athletic dig. Finally, junior outside hitter </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tia </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Scambray</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> connected on her 9</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">th kill of the match, sending Schwan back to the line with the score tied at 23.</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> And once again, she repeated her mantra.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{175}" paraid="491363845" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{181}" paraid="582759641" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">C</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ontact</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the ball a lot higher," she </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">told herself</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, "and hit</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> it on the heel of my hand."</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{183}" paraid="759661241" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{186}" paraid="1203391333" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">She served an ace.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{186}" paraid="1203391333" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{188}" paraid="2071289747" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_htkUDSETK93Z4Z_ZeVpZP9JUda_XVgBoPyu8VC3aeFo6bkwNglWlKOc257A2cWox1R_u-lpvQ3OgpGI-n6rZbjUCUfFFTiVJDrhrC5VJsgbm2hyr-2-JgDR7F13MZRlkGQkMcgPJLs/s1600/1610_UWvUO_VanderweighShank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_htkUDSETK93Z4Z_ZeVpZP9JUda_XVgBoPyu8VC3aeFo6bkwNglWlKOc257A2cWox1R_u-lpvQ3OgpGI-n6rZbjUCUfFFTiVJDrhrC5VJsgbm2hyr-2-JgDR7F13MZRlkGQkMcgPJLs/s640/1610_UWvUO_VanderweighShank.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oregon's Lindsey Vander Weide (8) is aced by UW's Courtney Schwan<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{191}" paraid="658070188" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">On a team with no superstars, Schwan is too often overlooked.</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> She attacks with discipline and precision</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, and against the Ducks, she was keenly aware of attacking the angles</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{57939973-0147-494a-add8-d47ba2eb2465}{49}" paraid="33950605" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d255353-97a8-4bf7-9d84-027de80df7c8}{140}" paraid="270626676" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"Oregon is a great defensive team with big blockers on the outside,</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">" said Washington coach </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Keegan Cook</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"I thought Courtney attacked the cross-court with a lot of power and a lot of </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">confidence. </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Man</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, she</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> took some tough swings in some tough situations."</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f607b8fe-b959-4bb7-9b4d-62e7dba18691}{134}" paraid="1810987446" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c9a77a20-8a72-4204-9b0e-95664fc98073}{219}" paraid="984533571" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"I saw that the block was moving outside on me," said Schwan, "so I kept hitting sharp (across court.)"</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5cf40ffe-2b05-484e-a87e-dfbad8eb2a92}{111}" paraid="1728076551" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c9a77a20-8a72-4204-9b0e-95664fc98073}{224}" paraid="1575205712" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">More than that, Schwan was connecting with the ball at its highest point, often hitting above the block and slamming the ball not far from the ten-foot line. "It's footwork and keeping the ball in front of me," she said, even though some of her most impressive kills came when she had not fully completed her transition. And more than in previous seasons, Tanner is willing to set her in the back row.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f38178b-5f91-45e1-848b-6c0f102c5b96}{227}" paraid="123700776" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f38178b-5f91-45e1-848b-6c0f102c5b96}{234}" paraid="394204606" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"I do like hitting back row," Schwan said, with a smile.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{541389d1-8d66-4bae-8e72-488f083ab8eb}{108}" paraid="465449901" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{541389d1-8d66-4bae-8e72-488f083ab8eb}{114}" paraid="1857073384" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Another Schwan skill—passing—was a big reason UW won each of the first two sets rather easily. Much was due to the emergence of </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">McPherson, who has improved enough that teams are forced to serve all three Huskies' passers: McPherson, Schwan and Scambray. "They tried to target Shayne early on," said Cook, "and she held up. The whole night. </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We want</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to have three good receivers, where opponents don't get to key in on any one person. And tonight we had that. That's a story in and of itself."</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e6e936bb-2612-4aeb-a0ed-2f4ca30917d3}{188}" paraid="73113755" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e6e936bb-2612-4aeb-a0ed-2f4ca30917d3}{195}" paraid="781945060" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">By the third set, Oregon had improved its own passing enough to keep it close. But UW never stopped serving </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Vander</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Weide</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, acing her four times, including Schwan's floater to make it 24-23. The final point went to Jones, only her fifth kill of the night. </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Despite hitting just .083, Jones had a great night at the service line and made several stellar digs to keep long rallies alive. In fact, winning long rallies may have made the difference in the final set.</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0bf1d262-111e-45fe-b038-51dc51b27355}{46}" paraid="1700536931" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0bf1d262-111e-45fe-b038-51dc51b27355}{39}" paraid="663560513" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"When one part of their </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">game</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> isn't working," said Cook, "great players find a way to contribute." </span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGxhUeoUNPLxO__SeiqbuZPv_HJOMBsavDvTRQccZVtVIVRl5mz-kpX4ImnJe81lhpHH11GTHRJRjdc7f8e8qrLl4mc00eslvZZoo_z-wsovFmoVt-vGmEb8x1TGJpzkdHUtiwj-iFak/s1600/1610_UWvUO_JimMoore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGxhUeoUNPLxO__SeiqbuZPv_HJOMBsavDvTRQccZVtVIVRl5mz-kpX4ImnJe81lhpHH11GTHRJRjdc7f8e8qrLl4mc00eslvZZoo_z-wsovFmoVt-vGmEb8x1TGJpzkdHUtiwj-iFak/s640/1610_UWvUO_JimMoore.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For Oregon coach Jim Moore, another frustrating night against Washington<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="color: #823b0b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">NOTES</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Huskies got a scare when freshman middle blocker <span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kara Bajema</span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> went down with an apparent ankle injury just before the post-second set break. After receiving treatment in the locker, she ran back out onto the court with her teammates at the start of the third. "They taped it up," said Schwan, "and Kara said, 'Let's go!' She's definitely a fighter." "We had about 15 seconds left (before the start of the </span><span class="TextRun SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">third set) to write a number on the lineup," said Cook. "She said, 'Give me a shot.' She's got some grit." Bajema finished with 12 kills and just 3 errors on 20 swings (.450).</span><span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a season of anemic Pac-12 volleyball attendance, Oregon's Matt Court had a decent—and often loud—crowd of 3,136. There were, however, very few UW fans in the arena, despite the fact that the Huskies play Oregon in football the next day. Were UW football fans planning to drive down to Eugene Saturday morning? Or did the UW Athletic Department do a poor job letting its pigskin loyalists know that they could have supported Huskies volleyball while they were in Eugene?<span class="EOP SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{144}" paraid="695214480" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" paraeid="{1c0bb9a6-9a3d-4398-a1d3-78831c67296b}{149}" paraid="749797912" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0bf1d262-111e-45fe-b038-51dc51b27355}{71}" paraid="668046180" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX209698147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX209698147" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{19a2431e-404f-4fc7-8b60-162e309382c3}{68}" paraid="9216853" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-91630599907556770102016-09-12T17:40:00.000-07:002016-09-12T21:51:33.196-07:00College | Huskies keep amazing nonconference streak alive with win in Hawai’i<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">UW has now won 77
nonconference matches in a row; Jones and Bajema honored as UW climbs in the
polls</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">#6 Washington def.
#14 Hawai’i 3-2 (25-23, 17-25, 28-26, 23-25, 15-13)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sept 15 | 5PM | #5
Washington vs. Maryland @ USC</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sept 16 | 5PM | #5
Washington vs. Oklahoma @ USC</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoq0iMXthEk-C7odokbiMQuTBelzyUUVAPapDRXWwVs8hMdTWkn8kGy7U8G8cEs3qbnE3kX0I03Bt2UhgOFeKleo609UVAt8cm9na4won3FFJ6_deKppNrKKqgSH8bse8w7GjJdgCRDQ/s1600/UH_Scambray_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoq0iMXthEk-C7odokbiMQuTBelzyUUVAPapDRXWwVs8hMdTWkn8kGy7U8G8cEs3qbnE3kX0I03Bt2UhgOFeKleo609UVAt8cm9na4won3FFJ6_deKppNrKKqgSH8bse8w7GjJdgCRDQ/s640/UH_Scambray_2016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington's Tia Scambray jousts at the net during the Huskies' 3-2 win over Hawai'i in Honolulu<br />
<i>-photo by Hawai'i Athletic Department</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are plenty of reasons <b>Washington</b> has a hard time scheduling quality nonconference
opponents. Last night offered another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite playing on their home court in front of 6,856 fans,
the <b>Hawai’i</b> Rainbow Wahine could not
put away their Northwest nemesis, as Washington eked out the narrowest of
victories, 3-2 (25-23, 17-25, 28-26, 23-25, 15-13). Watching the match on Hawai’i’s
live stream, here’s what we saw:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The turning point came at the end of the third set, with the
teams tied in sets at 1-1, and Hawai’i at the service line with a 24-20 lead.
The Huskies won the point on a <b>Crissy
Jones</b> kill, launching an 8-2 run that ended in a 28-26 UW set victory. The
biggest star of the streak was outside hitter <b>Tia Scambray</b>, who landed three great serves—including deadly
missiles down the line—to bring tie the score at 24. In all, Washington fought
off 6 set points to win the third.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Jones</b> was an
enigma. The junior outside hitter recorded 22 kills with 4 errors on 60 swings
(.300), earning tournament <b>MVP</b> and <b>Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week</b>
honors. She plays all six rotations, and may be one of the Huskies’ best back
row attackers in several seasons. And yet, an eye-opening number of Jones’ front
row attempts were tips. On the one hand, Hawai’i was not great at covering
short attacks (see <b>Nikki Taylor</b>,
below). On the other hand, Jones seemed to pass up far too many attempts to
pound the ball, something an elite opposite simply has to do, even when sets
aren't perfect.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Scambray</b> and
fellow junior <b>Courtney Schwan</b> will
likely continue to be the most under-publicized outside hitter tandem in the
nation. They are both outstanding passers, a growing Washington outside hitter tradition.
Scambray attacks with abandon, even after making a hitting error. Schwan seems
to be overcoming last season’s tendency to tip when under pressure, and smartly
uses the block. Against Hawai’i, Schwan had 19 kills and just 2 errors (.415)
and Scambray added 16 kills with 8 errors (.186).</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>For the first time in many seasons, Washington is running a
5-1 (1 setter) offense, and junior setter <b>Bailey
Tanner</b> has been outstanding. Against Hawai’i, she ran a quick tempo offense
that, frankly, asked a little more of her pin hitters than they were able to
deliver. That could turn out great, however, as Scambray, Schwan and Jones have
a chance to get into better position in transition, knowing that smart, quick
sets are on the way, often creating attacks against single blocks. Tanner, like
Wisconsin All-American <b>Lauren Carlini</b>,
is comfortable across the front line, setting strong blocks and attacking when
needed.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Kudos to two freshmen: middle <b>Kara Bajema</b> and libero <b>Shayne
McPherson</b>. Hawai’i servers drilled McPherson in the second set, eventually
forcing coach <b>Keegan Cook</b> to employ
a two-person serve receive (Scambray and Schwan) in certain rotations. But
McPherson hung tough, and had just one awful pass the rest of the way. Bajema—the
<b>Pac-12 Freshman of the Week</b>—was terrific
throughout, aggressively slamming over-passes, confidently pressing her hands
over the net when blocking and playing scramble defense like a back row player.
Washington will benefit as Bajema gets more comfortable on quicks, especially
as Cook burns multiple substitutions for his MB2 platoon, <b>Destiny Julye</b> (attacking) and <b>Avie
Niece</b> (blocking.)</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Hawai’i outside hitter <b>Nikki
Taylor</b> had a career-high 29 kills, but her 70 attempts took a toll. By the
fifth set, she appeared to be bothered by pain in both her elbow and knee.
During the Huskies’ final push, Taylor was unable to pick up tips or chase
shanked balls, and was often hidden on serve receive. In a razor-thin match,
Washington’s comparatively balanced attack proved the difference.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The win in Honolulu extends some pretty amazing Washington streaks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>UW has now won 77 nonconference regular season matches in a
row.</li>
<li>The Huskies’ last nonconference loss was 8 years ago, on
September 13, 2008, in Honolulu, when Hawai’i prevailed 3-2 (20-25, 27-29,
26-24, 25-14, 16-14).</li>
<li>Washington also lost to Hawai’i in Honolulu on September 7,
2002, by a 3-1 score (26-30, 30-22, 30-27, 30-28), a match where the Wahine’s <b>Kim Willoughby</b> recorded 38 kills.</li>
<li>Between 2002 and 2008, UW had just one other nonconference
loss, to <b>Texas</b> on August 26, 2006 in
Madison, WI, by a score of 3-2 (30-24, 23-30, 30-27, 28-30, 15-13).</li>
<li>Overall, the Huskies are a jaw-dropping 148-3 in
nonconference regular-season matches since the first weekend of 2001.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so … if you were an opposing coach of a top-tier team,
how eager might you be to schedule a match in the far reaches of the Northwest
against a team that almost never loses? Even in a year with no true seniors,
playing on the road in front of a huge audience, the Washington Huskies find a
way to win nonconference matches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">HUSKIES RISE IN THE
POLLS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Washington is now #5 in the <b>AVCA Coaches Poll</b> and #4 in the <b>FloVolleyball</b> Poll. In both polls, <b>Nebraska</b>, <b>Texas</b> and <b>Minnesota</b> are #1, #2 & #3. <b>Kansas</b> is #4 in AVCA and #7 in
FloVolleyball.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With <b>UCLA’s</b> loss
to <b>San Diego</b> and <b>Wisconsin’s</b> loss to <b>North Carolina</b>, Washington (8-0) is one
of only five remaining undefeated teams in the AVCA Top 25. #1 Nebraska is 6-0,
#4 Kansas is 9-0, #9 <b>BYU</b> is 9-0 and
#17 <b>Santa Clara</b> is 9-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">COUGARS OFF TO FAST
START<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Washington State</b>
is 8-1 in nonconference play. It’s only loss was to <b>Purdue</b>, a 7-1 team that beat <b>Stanford</b>
this weekend. The Cougars beat <b>UC Irvine</b>,
a team that swept <b>USC</b> 3-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cougars are hitting .307, seventh best among all
Division 1 schools (Washington is #24 at .281). WSU is holding opponents to
.116, #5 in the nation (UW is #52 at .162). Washington State ranks #7 in blocks
per set, with 3.23 (the Huskies are #45 with 2.55.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">L.A. GROUNDHOG DAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Washington starts Pac-12 play in 9 days, when it hosts WSU.
But before and immediately after, UW makes two trips to USC’s <b>Galen Center</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Thursday and Friday, the Huskies play <b>Maryland</b> and <b>Oklahoma</b>, the third year of a four-year deal where the Terrapins and
Sooners meet the Huskies and Trojans on rotating home courts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USC’s <b>Mick Haley</b>
is not a fan of the series—<b>Wisconsin</b>
backed out after the first year of the series when the Badgers lost to both
Southern Cal and Washington in Seattle. Haley hints that SC and UW are working
on a new deal with higher-ranked opponents starting in 2018.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The strangeness of this week’s contests are that both Haley
and Keegan Cook will be able to scout each other’s team just days before UW
again travels to Galen to meet USC on September 23. Although Washington and
Southern Cal tied for the 2015 <b>Pac-12
title</b> (both were 18-2), the conference’s ridiculous unbalanced schedule
means that this will be the only UW/USC meeting of the season. Likewise,
Washington will only see <b>UCLA</b> once,
at home the night before Thanksgiving. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry, Pac-12, that’s just wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-60916847883666862392016-08-22T18:32:00.001-07:002016-08-22T18:32:25.264-07:00College | Great opening weekend … in Oregon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">As the college
season’s nonconference matches begin, the action is in Eugene and Palo Alto</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Biggest west coast draws of Week One:</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Fri | Aug 26 | 4:00PM
| Eugene | #1 Nebraska vs. #10 Florida</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sat | Aug 26 |
3:30PM | Eugene | #1 Nebraska vs. #2 Texas</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sun | Aug 27 |
1:00PM | Palo Alto | #3 Minnesota @ #11 Stanford</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNXCmux2-1S3yZ1WqRtFpNkA5jPjCy9sL58aIYlsDBV-oimUcqfp6NixiDPsCN14R_jCWv9yQ_eFQ6n4rDWHnqxRWnn0BgjP1VVzqFaX9geU_j4vuikrBN0pCrxW3U1UF_wqI_O5uPbU/s1600/1210_UWatOSU-8_Duck_fans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNXCmux2-1S3yZ1WqRtFpNkA5jPjCy9sL58aIYlsDBV-oimUcqfp6NixiDPsCN14R_jCWv9yQ_eFQ6n4rDWHnqxRWnn0BgjP1VVzqFaX9geU_j4vuikrBN0pCrxW3U1UF_wqI_O5uPbU/s640/1210_UWatOSU-8_Duck_fans.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weekend, fans in Oregon's Matt Court will see the most-anticipated inter-conference matchups this side of the NCAA Tournament.<br /><i>-photo by Leslie Hamann</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re a fan of women’s college volleyball, you’ve got to
get yourself to Eugene this weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In most years, the Pacific Northwest—if not the entire West
Coast—is a nonconference wasteland. The <b>Pac-12’s</b>
elite—<b>Washington</b>, <b>Stanford</b>, <b>UCLA</b> and <b>USC</b>—rarely
wrangle top teams from the power conferences into their home gyms during August
and September. Two seasons ago, <b>Wisconsin</b>
came to Seattle and got waxed, prompting Badgers’ coach <b>Kelly Sheffield</b> to back out of a four-year deal with the Huskies
and <b>USC</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z6Ap3dhC4pvKCcvG1og1pZOUzS3-EJHafXqM4WuxmIE291wGr9dN-XZ5ODLvkQP5Q7gwC0DeNTDWAns7XovUA95az6SX2_TzcznbOdgz-E0CI4d3BmagBqZbDzl9KcI_DpwkX-4FPD0/s1600/1210_UWatUO_Jim_Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z6Ap3dhC4pvKCcvG1og1pZOUzS3-EJHafXqM4WuxmIE291wGr9dN-XZ5ODLvkQP5Q7gwC0DeNTDWAns7XovUA95az6SX2_TzcznbOdgz-E0CI4d3BmagBqZbDzl9KcI_DpwkX-4FPD0/s400/1210_UWatUO_Jim_Moore.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nebraska, Texas, Florida ...<br />and Oregon's irrepressible Jim Moore<br /><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by Leslie Hamann</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this weekend is different. #1 <b>Nebraska</b> and #2 <b>Texas</b>—the
two teams that squared off in last December’s title match (the Huskers won)
face off Saturday afternoon in Eugene, followed by #10 <b>Florida</b> vs. <b>Oregon</b>. The
night before, Nebraska faces Florida and Texas takes on the Ducks. That’s some
good volleyball, folks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Down in Palo Alto, #11 <b>Stanford</b>,
#3 <b>Minnesota</b> and <b>San Diego</b> play a round-robin. Minnesota,
Nebraska and Texas were all in last season’s <b>Final Four</b> (<b>Kansas</b> was
the other), and all three are among the favorites to return, along with
Stanford, Washington, #4 Wisconsin, Florida and #12 <b>UCLA</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Huskies head to the Beltway this weekend for a Saturday
match at <b>James Madison</b> and a Sunday
game against <b>American University</b>. As
usual, Washington’s nonconference schedule is light on teams with imposing RPIs
… their own real marquee date is September 11 at <b>Hawai’i</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly, volleyball gets buried in the saturation of college
football coverage, and it’s tough to draw crowds before classes begin in late
September. Some schools in the Midwest pay opponents to come to their gyms for
nonconference volleyball matches. Many power schools are loathe to schedule
tough competition for fear of upsetting the <b>RPI</b> ratings used to seed the NCAA Tournament. And more than a few
schools are likely scared away by Washington’s nonconference record: since the
first weekend in 2001, the Huskies have only lost four nonconference matches:
twice to Texas and twice to Hawai’i. They are 141-4 since, likely to be riding
a 78-match nonconference win streak when they arrive in Honolulu.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you can’t get to those Midwestern sites each December for
the Final Four (<b>Columbus</b> in 2016, <b>Kansas City</b> in 2017), you could do
worse than making a trip to Eugene this weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-35142503705461330542016-08-20T12:07:00.001-07:002016-08-22T18:37:34.735-07:00Olympic Games | USA wins the bronze<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Despite ironies and questions, the Americans finish the Rio Olympics with a 7-1 record and the bronze medal</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Rio Olympics Results<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14: USA
def. China 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16: USA
def. Japan 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) [Quarterfinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18: Serbia def.
USA 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13) [Semifinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20: USA def.
Netherlands (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19) [Bronze Medal]</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhEvHjadubnCQDmLVsOWxZk42gpCvrlyntgnQyDE0vrR8eo6W_TgbvnzsbKh3EpXpV4ERDWPU9EiJYGVEhVnUO6PkyWA7jIWJqbEd5viblzYLR8WT-935aqlwti-GqnCLZnbozQy1hbs/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_fists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhEvHjadubnCQDmLVsOWxZk42gpCvrlyntgnQyDE0vrR8eo6W_TgbvnzsbKh3EpXpV4ERDWPU9EiJYGVEhVnUO6PkyWA7jIWJqbEd5viblzYLR8WT-935aqlwti-GqnCLZnbozQy1hbs/s640/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_fists.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Kim Hill celebrates a point in a 3-1 Rio Olympics Bronze Medal win over Netherlands<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Silver brought tears. Bronze brings smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were plenty of ironies to go around as <b>USA</b> won a medal for the third straight
Olympics, defeating <b>Netherlands</b> 3-1 (25-23,
25-27, 25-22, 25-19) to win the bronze at the <b>Rio Olympics</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four years ago in <b>London</b>—and
four years before that in <b>Beijing</b>—the
Americans ended their Olympics in sorrow, each time losing the gold medal match
to <b>Brazil</b>. This time, USA’s only
loss was a 5-set heartbreak at the hands of <b>Serbia</b> in the semifinals, a defeat that—in retrospect—raises a few
questions about today’s victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf36r6Qup95Am0g2sL30pszSWQtTHvUc9L2gtFh0Mxt6NdNff-uzcvyhmQEF5wrUeP-77_fuHzWdJiLMDO74uotcNygQJc9Wc9ySer-Bfa1MEjeFLdB2jtfavgOZe269k_cYWtTggPEI/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_cheer_Karsta_Alicia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf36r6Qup95Am0g2sL30pszSWQtTHvUc9L2gtFh0Mxt6NdNff-uzcvyhmQEF5wrUeP-77_fuHzWdJiLMDO74uotcNygQJc9Wc9ySer-Bfa1MEjeFLdB2jtfavgOZe269k_cYWtTggPEI/s640/Rio_Netherlands_cheer_Karsta_Alicia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Foluke Akinradewo (16) celebrates with teammates Karsta Lowe and Alicia Glass<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First and foremost is the health of <b>Foluke Akinradewo</b>, USA’s all-everything middle. Akinradewo left the
Serbia match with an injury early in the second set, never to return. But
against Netherlands, she was back. And as usual, she was unstoppable, tying
teammates <b>Jordan Larson</b> and <b>Kim Hill</b> for the lead with 13 kills.
Larson and Hill each had 3 hitting errors—Akinradewo had none, hitting .529 for
the match. Fans are sure to want to learn about the nature of Akinradewo’s
Serbia injury, and why it was serious enough to take her out of that match, but
not enough to keep her away today. As was obvious today, the USA needs her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second question is about USA’s serving mindset.
Throughout these Olympics, the Americans gave away way too many points on
service errors. That isn’t necessarily a problem as long as serves that do go
in make it hard for an opponent to pass. Today against the Dutch, USA had
plenty more service errors—15 in all—but landed 10 service aces (4 by Hill),
its most of these Olympics. Beyond the aces, USA’s serves were more confident
and better located than they were against the Serbians.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third question is about USA’s right-side hitters. <b>Kelly Murphy</b> started every match these
Olympics, and played generally well. But when the chips were down against both
Serbia and Netherlands, it was <b>Karsta
Lowe</b> who stepped in to shine. Frankly, Lowe’s height (6-4) and power seem
better suited against taller blockers, and one wonders if she might have made
an even bigger impact if she had entered the Serbia match sooner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylR5JngpvXj8Pmmg0Ej2h6QhEPXVu8YB4WjTRy9d3q7PvEtf9CDmZg5CbXqhFvC4sjg8Wg5OguKQ-ku_nuXocGrV4wvlKOP36oOSJD_JFetVc795APAGxHsUJ7FVUAauon4ITE3JMRdE/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylR5JngpvXj8Pmmg0Ej2h6QhEPXVu8YB4WjTRy9d3q7PvEtf9CDmZg5CbXqhFvC4sjg8Wg5OguKQ-ku_nuXocGrV4wvlKOP36oOSJD_JFetVc795APAGxHsUJ7FVUAauon4ITE3JMRdE/s640/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_attack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Jordan Larson attacks against Netherlands' Lonneke Sloetjes<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today’s bronze medal match turning point came in the third
set. USA had won the first set, largely on the ability of outside hitter Hill
to score off the hands of Dutch blockers, earning 4 of USA’s final 6 points in
a 25-23 squeaker. Netherlands won the second set 27-25 by outscoring USA 7-3
down the stretch. With Holland leading 17-14 in the third, Larson blocked a
Dutch attack, then shouted something across the net within easy earshot of
Brazilian referee <b>Paulo Turci</b>. Turci
showed Larson a yellow card, and two serves later, a net call against Larson
made the score 19-16, Netherlands. But on the next three plays, Larson scored
on a kill, a block and a kill to tie the score at 19. Tied at 21, Larson made a
sensational dig, leading to another Hill kill. Hill’s service ace completed a
9-3 USA run and a 25-22 win.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBMmhQh86Au9_iXLUN0GXuI7tGuUCIEUB8t3AEYf0rKsdc4DkPBLvMbWE_6nyVuymh9f1st0yxprfqKM-tfWg83C8HdcKhO3BzqSnQCq8hrzjP1IHMA5aJPrKhXKSgGY9W6z5u4SFEBk/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_Lonneke_Sloetjes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBMmhQh86Au9_iXLUN0GXuI7tGuUCIEUB8t3AEYf0rKsdc4DkPBLvMbWE_6nyVuymh9f1st0yxprfqKM-tfWg83C8HdcKhO3BzqSnQCq8hrzjP1IHMA5aJPrKhXKSgGY9W6z5u4SFEBk/s320/Rio_Netherlands_Lonneke_Sloetjes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Netherlands' Lonneke Sloetjes</span><br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Set four started with another string of American service
errors, but USA’s defense proved key. <b>Lonneke
Sloetjes</b>, the leading attacker of these Olympics, finished with just 13
kills, well below her average. Largely because USA’s successful serves sent the
Dutch scrambling, the Americans out-blocked Netherlands 13-6, particularly in
key stretches of the final set. Akinradewo was unstoppable on the slide, and
Hill ended the match as she began—two late kills and a bronze-clinching service
ace to end the match.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the final irony was the final appearance of <b>Courtney Thompson</b> in a USA uniform.
Throughout these Olympics, she’s been the team spokesperson, fiery bench leader
and—on the court—designated server. In an Olympic Games where USA’s serving
errors will be long-remembered, Thompson stepped to the line one last time in
the fourth set, with USA leading 21-17. To that point, she was the only
American—and one of only a handful of Rio Olympians—never to miss a serve. She
knew this was assuredly her last moment ever with Team USA, after an
astonishing career that seems to have earned the deepest respect of almost
every teammate, coach and opponent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS3Lk9qfgWA7Rzr5leeCAJJZr8KKYooh2MJmwb-pd_i84poP6oCrx3lpL5A-ChHK6FBf-sEy3SIamT-BTg4axSHG852yOMeCi6bUtyICgNnUXxAYgfWpioFLL5AWbh-uDh9RBMG3zPW4/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_hug_Doug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS3Lk9qfgWA7Rzr5leeCAJJZr8KKYooh2MJmwb-pd_i84poP6oCrx3lpL5A-ChHK6FBf-sEy3SIamT-BTg4axSHG852yOMeCi6bUtyICgNnUXxAYgfWpioFLL5AWbh-uDh9RBMG3zPW4/s640/Rio_Netherlands_bronze_hug_Doug.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Volleyball outgoing CEO Doug Beal hugs two-time Olympic medalist Courtney Thompson<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At these Olympics, all her teammates had proven themselves
human. All had made one or more errors. All knew that—at the end of the match,
at the end of the Olympics—Courtney would be the first to embrace them and the
last to stick around to thanks USA’s fans. Now, at her last time at the service
line, would she be the only one who never made an on-court mistake in Rio?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her serve sailed long.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-57140796808679107602016-08-18T13:30:00.001-07:002016-08-21T10:53:33.427-07:00Olympic Games | No Gold: Serbia upsets USA in semis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Despite
extraordinary Karsta Lowe-led comeback, serving errors doom USA; Foluke
Akinradewo goes out with injury</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA def.
Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14: USA
def. China 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16: USA
def. Japan 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) [Quarterfinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18: Serbia def.
USA 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13) [Semifinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20, 9AM:
vs. Netherlands [Bronze Medal match]</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9uoyIKlz7vqJgSm-QA2E8FAu-NmMWYyW5rE4vhNsLfDNpVxUwQXJxUL3BjqEuLo7c-Deown4_sNw5VYEwcyjKeEGYukAY74kxmpfIwYAlJyGAubKZATj5GVxx79gOldftPY_mWOCIQ4/s1600/Rio_semi_Serbia_prone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9uoyIKlz7vqJgSm-QA2E8FAu-NmMWYyW5rE4vhNsLfDNpVxUwQXJxUL3BjqEuLo7c-Deown4_sNw5VYEwcyjKeEGYukAY74kxmpfIwYAlJyGAubKZATj5GVxx79gOldftPY_mWOCIQ4/s640/Rio_semi_Serbia_prone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Jordan Larson<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, the ball found the net.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With <b>USA</b> and <b>Serbia</b> tied at 13 in the fifth set, <b>Rachael Adams</b> stepped to the service
line. As she has so many times these <b>Olympics</b>,
Adams launched a float serve that headed straight into the net. One lost rally
later, number one ranked USA lost 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13) in
the Rio semifinals, again denied its first ever Olympic gold. USA will play <b>Netherlands</b> Saturday morning for
the bronze. Serbia faces China for the gold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout five grueling sets, both teams put together long
streaks of confident, aggressive play. In set one, USA trailed 17-18, but
finished on an 8-2 run behind the serving of <b>Kelly Murphy</b> and the slide combination of <b>Alicia Glass</b> to <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraFg_oLeEL0vLBHrQGES2cSDpPYz5G1c7aAvT9p9mADhx8oLmsmOxnW72iF_KJiMVFa2RsXCO3y42LNROBmrPb0myq3Gk_WXuNGJm2TPQL-oqqQjiLeIMwf_Y2zBfTMJasX8pcrv_2qE/s1600/Rio_semi_Serbia_serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraFg_oLeEL0vLBHrQGES2cSDpPYz5G1c7aAvT9p9mADhx8oLmsmOxnW72iF_KJiMVFa2RsXCO3y42LNROBmrPb0myq3Gk_WXuNGJm2TPQL-oqqQjiLeIMwf_Y2zBfTMJasX8pcrv_2qE/s640/Rio_semi_Serbia_serve.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before her injury against Serbia, USA's Foluke Akinradewo had the highest hitting percentage of any player in the Rio Olympics.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the second set, a string of USA net violations gave
Serbia an early 7-3 lead, forcing coach <b>Karch
Kiraly</b> to call a timeout. During that break, a USA athletic trainer could
be seen talking with Akinradewo, who had apparently injured her knee toward the
end of the first set. Four points later, with USA trailing 9-5, Akinradewo was
replaced by <b>Christa Dietzen</b> and
never returned. Dietzen proved a strong blocker and an emotional leader, but
was never the offensive weapon that Akinradewo can be. USA kept pace for a
while, before surrendering a final 7-3 run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third set started with more of the same, as Serbia
rolled to an 8-1 lead. Midway through the set, Kiraly inserted <b>Karsta Lowe</b> for Murphy and <b>Kelsey Robinson</b> for <b>Kim Hill</b>. Two consecutive Lowe kills
brought the USA within two points, 20-22. But two Serbian kills and a Dietzen
service error closed the score.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For most of the rest of the match, Lowe was on fire. In the
fourth set, she twice had three kills in four rallies, as Glass had the
confidence to set the right side time and again. USA won set four going away,
25-16.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL7ish3RcMw6dhLm75Mxud1Zr5FvSvapT43EstnQhW2LvluDirMnguc3kgV94idIpWSiNf-eo2d0ZLLNGToYmAqg8aX8RrHLqhO-Dhd4Mq2GzSjSmDJjPM-zJ6Z8CTJMSu0JtualVx_k/s1600/Rio_semi_Serbia_blocked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL7ish3RcMw6dhLm75Mxud1Zr5FvSvapT43EstnQhW2LvluDirMnguc3kgV94idIpWSiNf-eo2d0ZLLNGToYmAqg8aX8RrHLqhO-Dhd4Mq2GzSjSmDJjPM-zJ6Z8CTJMSu0JtualVx_k/s640/Rio_semi_Serbia_blocked.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Kelsey Robinson had 6 kills and 5 hitting errors against Serbia<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the fifth set, Lowe seemed to be USA’s only option. She
added six more kills and a block in the final frame, as USA took a 10-7 lead.
But Robinson began to struggle, hitting into a block to make it 10-8, and
making a series of sloppy digs and passes in a long rally that brought Serbia
to within one point, at 11-10. With the score tied at 12, Serbia’s <b>Milena Rasic</b> served an ace, then served
the next ball into the net. That brought Rachael Adams to the line at 13-13.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are huge Rachael Adams fans. She climbed from way down the
depth charst this quad to claim the third and final middle blocker spot, then passed
Dietzen to start most of USA’s Olympic matches. Adams is brainy, athletic and a
top-flight team player. But in Rio, she had 23 service errors over seven matches,
including 4 today, six more for the tournament than any other player on any
other team. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, Adams wasn’t alone. For the match, USA totaled 18
service errors, the third time in Rio it tallied either 18 or 19 errors.
Overall, Hill, Glass and Akinradewo all had far too many service mistakes at
these Olympics. On the other hand, <b>Jordan
Larson</b> had just 8 errors in 120 attempts, Kelly Murphy had only 8 errors in
95 attempts, and <b>Courtney Thompson</b>
never missed a single serve in 17 attempts in this, her final Olympics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2LxYhCe3ueKXGyHRiuPjYt6M1bwHzjsKGkXx_xFvM-6UJQVbrltPyjFIEBGODkKzz-Ku9-DhrtN2Aod3oyAAPCrMPr4JByKX79ksL1JZLluDhJWx_3f5DayJKmLazmWEI3etFOEpBuU/s1600/Rio_semi_Serbia_jersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2LxYhCe3ueKXGyHRiuPjYt6M1bwHzjsKGkXx_xFvM-6UJQVbrltPyjFIEBGODkKzz-Ku9-DhrtN2Aod3oyAAPCrMPr4JByKX79ksL1JZLluDhJWx_3f5DayJKmLazmWEI3etFOEpBuU/s640/Rio_semi_Serbia_jersey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setter Alicia Glass and Outside Hitter Kim Hill will play for a bronze medal on Saturday.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the elite level, the top teams are separated by the
thinnest of margins. In the end, even with horrible serving and the loss of
their best player, USA fell just two points short. Serbia now advances to its
first-ever Olympic gold medal match against China. USA will play Netherlands
for the bronze.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-55127936570979184892016-08-17T13:22:00.000-07:002016-08-20T07:26:33.950-07:00Olympic Games | How USA can beat Serbia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The keys to USA
getting to the gold medal match</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14: USA
def. China 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16: USA
def. Japan 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) [Quarterfinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18, 9AM: USA
vs. Serbia [Semifinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 [Medal
Finals]</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PCNdusf2UYglUuUkqsgz1Wo7IhRm8GWyISKkOjL2gBtbLlrMtXuJxylV8fjOiznaJxhksz3fATf9d9mr5l7roqbpsIF1FEisnUun9LahczmASw5lTqq5odulrQy8ry03A9pWAaT0JFc/s1600/Rio_Serbia_huddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PCNdusf2UYglUuUkqsgz1Wo7IhRm8GWyISKkOjL2gBtbLlrMtXuJxylV8fjOiznaJxhksz3fATf9d9mr5l7roqbpsIF1FEisnUun9LahczmASw5lTqq5odulrQy8ry03A9pWAaT0JFc/s640/Rio_Serbia_huddle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA players huddle during their Rio Olympics August 10 pool play victory over Serbia<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It should all come down to serve-and-pass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When <b>USA</b> and <b>Serbia</b> square off tomorrow morning at 9:00AM
(Pacific) in the <b>Rio Olympics</b>
semifinals, they’ll continue a rivalry that stretches through most of the major
international championships over the past four years. In that quad, USA holds a
4-2 advantage.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4VG9mO_PmQZBrhvv5PVKj8MEG3HYFSSDsXE8nzjlcZlSomCu-JKWfGlwNcN_KEcUuzOzZHTwu_pAaq33ZiasKm9PIn_WcOfi9fRgfEH2gGDbESfouv3nTej3VujVe2vgvcArxt7EAkY/s1600/USA+v+Serbia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4VG9mO_PmQZBrhvv5PVKj8MEG3HYFSSDsXE8nzjlcZlSomCu-JKWfGlwNcN_KEcUuzOzZHTwu_pAaq33ZiasKm9PIn_WcOfi9fRgfEH2gGDbESfouv3nTej3VujVe2vgvcArxt7EAkY/s640/USA+v+Serbia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 3 of the 6 matchups, it’s taken 5 sets. Only once was
there a 3-0 sweep—in 2014, as USA won its first <b>World Championship</b>. When elite teams like these meet, it’s usually
the little things that come up big.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">PASS AND SERVE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serbia still has several all-out jump servers. Although those
rocket serves look impressive, USA rarely has difficulty passing them. By
comparison, all USA servers use a variation of the jump float. The harder the
serve and the less the ball spins, the more Serbian passers get handcuffed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv-5mnqHQWQRCjLMdq1Y02lyO47gsAD2uIVAK90LP8rc8YEyZUb_R1hH6NQ97nQKiZ_dYtGX9TXATZBvvqwzJ3kSzr43MoYvrOPGVfdla6YZiyoj-XavoNXEF9j8F5EnF_XNsiDvB-Qw/s1600/Rio_Serbia_Tijana_Boskovic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv-5mnqHQWQRCjLMdq1Y02lyO47gsAD2uIVAK90LP8rc8YEyZUb_R1hH6NQ97nQKiZ_dYtGX9TXATZBvvqwzJ3kSzr43MoYvrOPGVfdla6YZiyoj-XavoNXEF9j8F5EnF_XNsiDvB-Qw/s640/Rio_Serbia_Tijana_Boskovic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serbian opposite Tijana Boskovic (19) attacks against USA's Kim Hill<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">BALANCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serbia’s outside hitter <b>Brankica
Mihajlovic</b> has racked up 84 total Olympics kills, fifth most of any
attacker in Rio. Opposite <b>Tijana
Boskovic</b> comes in at #7 with 77. USA, however, has 5 hitters in the top 21:
<b>Foluke Akinradewo</b> and <b>Kim Hill</b> both have 66 kills (tied at #11),
<b>Jordan Larson</b> has 61 (#14), <b>Kelly Murphy</b> has 54 (#20) and <b>Rachael Adams</b> has 44 (#21). In USA’s
pool play win over Serbia last week, Adams had 13 kills, Akinradewo had 12,
Hill had 11, Murphy and <b>Karsta Lowe</b>
combined for 10 and Larson had 9.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">THROUGH THE MIDDLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the previous numbers demonstrate, Serbia is vulnerable to
USA’s middle attack. That, in turn, is a product of USA’s passing, which gives
setter <b>Alicia Glass</b> ample
opportunity to set quicks to her high-flying middles. Serbia’s middles—<b>Milena Rasic</b>, <b>Jovana Stevanovic</b> and <b>Stefana
Veljkovic</b>—get far fewer sets. Akinradewo leads all Rio Olympians with a
.451 hitting percentage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">COVERING THE BLOCKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both teams are tall, and Serbia outblocked USA 11-8 last
Wednesday. But USA hitters tooled the block 23 times, to only 12 times for the
Serbians. And USA was terrific at covering Serbia’s block attempts, repeatedly
making front-court digs to keep rallies alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkHRhzCMYGzifO90yMBgzRRN09g23i08LX30VxV9r4nCUXVPLMuuh0HbCH-xplvSQyrozxJASZ3MKS8JJWgNtNqFy2oxY4MEcPfLAsjNJ5xsnJqMEGFtkQ8HJeW4nFRD97Nd_VJndEQ/s1600/Rio_Serbia_Terzic_Zoran_shrugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAkHRhzCMYGzifO90yMBgzRRN09g23i08LX30VxV9r4nCUXVPLMuuh0HbCH-xplvSQyrozxJASZ3MKS8JJWgNtNqFy2oxY4MEcPfLAsjNJ5xsnJqMEGFtkQ8HJeW4nFRD97Nd_VJndEQ/s640/Rio_Serbia_Terzic_Zoran_shrugs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serbia coach Zoran Terzic rarely masks his feelings on the sidelines<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">COACHING STYLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There may not be two more disparate coaches at these
Olympics than USA’s <b>Karch Kiraly</b> and
Serbia’s <b>Zoran Terzic</b>. Terzic is
highly animated, continually berating his players for their mistakes. Kiraly is
the picture of calm, offering nothing but words of encouragement. Wonder which
style players prefer when the pressure is on?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OVERCONFIDENCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beware the easy first set win. Last night, <b>Brazil</b> seemed primed to roll after
dismantling <b>China</b> in set one. Four
years ago in <b>London</b>, USA was in the
same position against Brazil. In both cases, the team that won big early ended
up losing the match. Can’t say the Americans won’t be on notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OUR PREDICTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mihajlovic and Boskovic get their points, but USA’s balance
prevails, largely because the Americans win the serve-and-pass battle. USA in
four.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See also: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2016/08/olympic-games-usa-qualifies-for-medal.html" target="_blank">USA qualifies for medal round with resounding win over Serbia (8.10.16)</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2015/07/national-team-usa-overcomes-passing_12.html" target="_blank">USA overcomes passing woes to defeat Serbia (7.12.15)</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2013/08/national-team-serbia-dominates-usa-in.html" target="_blank">Serbia dominates USA in World Grand Prix volleyball (8.29.13)</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2013/08/national-team-usa-knocks-off-unbeaten.html" target="_blank">USA knocks off unbeaten Serbia in World Grand Prix volleyball (8.12.13)</a></b></li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-61998397470274228772016-08-16T12:15:00.001-07:002016-08-17T13:45:52.836-07:00Olympic Games | USA moves into semifinals with 3-0 win against Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Kim Hill and Rachael Adams rebound</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14: USA
def. China 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16: USA
def. Japan 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) [Quarterfinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18: vs. Serbia [Semifinals]</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 [Medal
Finals]</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uegEKwikLAh0CFm0AfsQeUTcDm4ZcXoAl6sFxayPSAS2hG4j2_hOlU2uWSONXtCSwi_vaaT0saXm8OrCYmWVHiTV1d_PJIXw3HRTzAakEizgqUFxWxAEW5nzEOIC0Pcc8fDqbW3n4ac/s1600/Rio_Japan_tongue_block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uegEKwikLAh0CFm0AfsQeUTcDm4ZcXoAl6sFxayPSAS2hG4j2_hOlU2uWSONXtCSwi_vaaT0saXm8OrCYmWVHiTV1d_PJIXw3HRTzAakEizgqUFxWxAEW5nzEOIC0Pcc8fDqbW3n4ac/s640/Rio_Japan_tongue_block.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim Hill blocks against Erika Araki during USA's 3-0 Olympic quarterfinal win against Japan<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If <b>Karch Kiraly</b>
has a doghouse, he didn’t bring it to Rio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ60U24kRvsTdS55r6X127Dk-ZjKyrj_FDvAjUwvwBMY4u8ZK5879Ij0IQMD_ltFmgjl4XnGSzWWXeqXBeVT3jGBoCoqlz8Lr5cN3HUXHZQpNSGGdZmTcsVmvXSstUZCtMmb3DPWv6rY/s1600/Rio_Japan_attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJ60U24kRvsTdS55r6X127Dk-ZjKyrj_FDvAjUwvwBMY4u8ZK5879Ij0IQMD_ltFmgjl4XnGSzWWXeqXBeVT3jGBoCoqlz8Lr5cN3HUXHZQpNSGGdZmTcsVmvXSstUZCtMmb3DPWv6rY/s400/Rio_Japan_attack.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Rachael Adams attacks against Japan's Yuki Ishii<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sunday, the <b>USA</b>
coach benched two of his starters—outside hitter <b>Kim Hill</b> and middle blocker <b>Rachael
Adams</b>—when each of them struggled in a pool play win over <b>China</b>. But today, both were back with a
flourish, as USA defeated <b>Japan </b>3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) to advance to
Thursday’s Rio Olympics semifinals against <b>Serbia</b>, who defeated <b>Russia </b>3-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hill and fellow outside hitter <b>Jordan Larson</b> each had 12 kills, followed by Adams with 9. Both
were favorite targets of setter <b>Alicia
Glass</b>, with Adams getting 16 sets—many on slides—and Hill getting 29
chances. For the match, USA out-hit Japan .412-.243.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second set demonstrated just how much better USA is than
Japan at this stage of the Olympics. The Americans had four service errors and
six—six!—net violations, as they allowed Japan to tie the set at 22. Despite
the fact that two of those service errors and most of those net calls went
against Hill, Kiraly stuck with her. After a timeout, Larson connected on three
of USA’s final four points (sandwiched by another net call, this time on
Adams), to escape set two 25-23.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd6hw8AoNpfkER6p6LD6JX2N5UvXPzB7nOyfYoXNHLTPgXpivs-nhVyDABPAL9swOpyrtASpzcywAT3g55PFZutn0fHf_AynUIvz7_orcc4G6ADYqkcgeDKt6z28HKhILTXxJ7OOnOjE/s1600/Rio_Japan_huddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd6hw8AoNpfkER6p6LD6JX2N5UvXPzB7nOyfYoXNHLTPgXpivs-nhVyDABPAL9swOpyrtASpzcywAT3g55PFZutn0fHf_AynUIvz7_orcc4G6ADYqkcgeDKt6z28HKhILTXxJ7OOnOjE/s640/Rio_Japan_huddle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Karch Kiraly during a USA timeout.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the third set, Japan launched a furious rally as its 7-0
run tied the score at 20. After a timeout, Kiraly brought in <b>Karsta Lowe</b> in a straight substitution
for <b>Kim Murphy</b> on the right side.
Lowe responded immediately with a kill. At 21-21, Hill got a kill, then Lowe an
ace, then Hill another kill. <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b> ended the match with slide kill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILFO4dewi7I6C21igpBOdvklNvogNFkU-wqy6DRrggWaAPTKLIy_h35o7QNv3xgkXbbtqWCKsz0IKlRHsUBlXVRPAtMDq_THSaC_CW_FYSl1QUb1zaftS9jZDw_ldIKuExGhlkrkwLhs/s1600/Rio_Japan_post-match_celebrate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILFO4dewi7I6C21igpBOdvklNvogNFkU-wqy6DRrggWaAPTKLIy_h35o7QNv3xgkXbbtqWCKsz0IKlRHsUBlXVRPAtMDq_THSaC_CW_FYSl1QUb1zaftS9jZDw_ldIKuExGhlkrkwLhs/s640/Rio_Japan_post-match_celebrate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the win, USA moves to the Rio Olympics semifinals.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Japan plays great defense, but could not match the USA’s
size or speed, and rarely served all that tough (just 2 aces). Mostly, the
Americans were their own worst enemy, something they have a chance to control
when they meet Serbia Thursday for a shot at the finals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>As always, it is maddening to see the high-priced/high-visibility
seats empty at an Olympic event. Big blocks of choice seats—at most Olympic
venues, summer and winter, this year and in previous years—reserved for
corporate sponsors and dignitaries. Those folks tend not to show up for many
events, even as the upper bowl of <b>Maracanãzinho</b>
was filled with volleyball fans. Time for the <b>IOC</b> to start pulling tickets from sponsors who don’t bother to
come. (Ha! Not holding our breath!)</li>
<li><b>Jordan Larson</b> had
her second straight great match. She finished with 12 kills and no hitting
errors on 21 swings for a .571 hitting average. She also added two aces and 7
digs, and was USA’s leading passer, with ten receptions scored as “excellent.”</li>
<li><b>Netherlands</b> defeated <b>Korea </b>3-1 to advance to Holland's first-ever women's indoor volleyball Olympic semifinals. The Dutch will play <b>China</b>, upset winner over host <b>Brazil</b>.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-7876803907984561462016-08-14T16:03:00.003-07:002016-08-17T13:45:32.361-07:00Olympic Games | USA stays undefeated with 3-1 win over China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Jordan Larson
leads the way</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14: USA
def. China 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16: Quarterfinals--USA vs. Japan, 10AM (Pacific)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18
Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal
Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLn2ecHMBBGY1b-BGVDKRT3Vb_O1TAS6r9EPnx-QWGFnWujd3LV_ywRsXNN7-RsBuV3V24UVajG6yA7e9zHhWzCV3Zx15vpLvVfrB0k-5YgH3FjpGFLXcB6NuBUc41EAIFOepMcHIEfk/s1600/Rio_China_pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLn2ecHMBBGY1b-BGVDKRT3Vb_O1TAS6r9EPnx-QWGFnWujd3LV_ywRsXNN7-RsBuV3V24UVajG6yA7e9zHhWzCV3Zx15vpLvVfrB0k-5YgH3FjpGFLXcB6NuBUc41EAIFOepMcHIEfk/s640/Rio_China_pass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA outside hitter Jordan Larson passes during a 3-1 Rio Olympics pool play win over China<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back when <b>Jordan
Larson</b> played high school volleyball, the rules were as clear: while on the
court, no gum, no earrings, no necklaces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today in <b>Rio</b>,
there was Larson in all her gum-chewing, earring-and-necklace-wearing glory,
leading her USA team to a decisive 3-1 victory over <b>China</b> (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19). The win elevated the Americans
to a 5-0 record in preliminary play, and sends them in the <b>Rio Olympics</b> quarterfinals as the top Pool B seed. USA will face <b>Japan</b> (2-3) Tuesday at 10AM (Pacific).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOV0OqnG2-WelWvTFwnjazbz4QbF5w9KaMVWr5PWkNM60DudtkgHumd949QfxRjz6hVYEtOAFn0h70a7DR36H5kw7c6IGCrWn4oJhyphenhyphenkazIpNRVU4Er4s3N9bOpnmE3g_BwI_G-Y1bhtI/s1600/Rio_China_hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOV0OqnG2-WelWvTFwnjazbz4QbF5w9KaMVWr5PWkNM60DudtkgHumd949QfxRjz6hVYEtOAFn0h70a7DR36H5kw7c6IGCrWn4oJhyphenhyphenkazIpNRVU4Er4s3N9bOpnmE3g_BwI_G-Y1bhtI/s400/Rio_China_hair.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Foluke Akinradewo had 13 kills against China<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the match tied at 1-1, USA clung to a precarious 10-9
lead in the third set. USA had lost set one thanks to it Achilles heel these
Olympics: a slew of service errors. Poor serving has affected every player in
the lineup except <b>Courtney Thompson</b>,
<b>Kelly Murphy</b> and Larson. So with
that third set 10-9 advantage, Larson stepped to the line and served a vicious
ace that completely handcuffed the Chinese defender. As she and her teammates
celebrated, Larson lost her chewing gum, and China coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b> called timeout.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the American huddle, coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b> smiled at his star outside hitter and said, “go ahead,
go get more.” We had to assume he meant more gum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
China was supposed to contend for gold at these Olympics,
behind the extraordinary arm of young outside hitter <b>Ting Zhu</b>. But the Chinese finished 2-3 in pool play, grabbing the final
Pool B spot in the Medal Round, forced to face the Pool A winner <b>Brazil </b>in Tuesday's quarterfinals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Against the Americans, Zhu seemed to attack at will, ending
with a match-high 19 kills on 40 attempts and just two errors (.425). But her
supporting cast was not the Chinese team of recent years, with particularly
poor play from its opposites, who combined for just 8 kills and 5 errors on 23
attempts. Elite international teams simply must have go-to opposites in big
matches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINYxa58rLIRQkusn385F44Ea2d6CFq_GCf5_2hdO7rqPSrH_vAjiUNFTy2bKQxIb4olDAXkzeJ24urE9ehi5JUNhUcljs9vKDpX4HExjuxuqxAxml2WUYGILm4iWDVTbo8QuCQTTE80/s1600/Rio_China_dig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINYxa58rLIRQkusn385F44Ea2d6CFq_GCf5_2hdO7rqPSrH_vAjiUNFTy2bKQxIb4olDAXkzeJ24urE9ehi5JUNhUcljs9vKDpX4HExjuxuqxAxml2WUYGILm4iWDVTbo8QuCQTTE80/s640/Rio_China_dig.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Opposite Kelly Murphy digs a ball against China as teammate Alicia Glass looks on<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA’s opposite, <b>Kelly
Murphy</b>, had a solid match, with 11 kills, two aces and strong defense<b>. Foluke Akinradewo</b> showed again why
she is the world’s best middle, recording 13 kills on both good sets and bad.
Time and again, Akinradewo calmly took whatever setter <b>Alicia Glass</b> gave her, punishing the ball when she could, and
finding the floor with pushes and tips when nothing else was available<b>. Kelsey Robinson,</b> subbing for <b>Kim Hill</b>, had her best match of the
Olympics. The Chinese dared her to hit line, and she did, totaling 11 kills and
just one error on 22 attempts (.454).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the star of the match was Larson. She tallied 13 kills
and just 3 errors on 23 attempts (.435), and added two aces and 14 digs. She had
no serve-receive errors, and sent 10 of what international scorekeepers call “Excellent”
passes to her setter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL22WBRJW10OjUBHKZ47KROY5ex7fan-Ny9jIzhrJxpKH51epe50Lvi5_BCxxsZVWLHFX8o-p55Co7DzNN4kWQ8s-382NITbshzKaHPow21hK7kV4M80LzjjFr1tXaGpOj1rhyOfRl2og/s1600/Rio_China_leading_crowd_cheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL22WBRJW10OjUBHKZ47KROY5ex7fan-Ny9jIzhrJxpKH51epe50Lvi5_BCxxsZVWLHFX8o-p55Co7DzNN4kWQ8s-382NITbshzKaHPow21hK7kV4M80LzjjFr1tXaGpOj1rhyOfRl2og/s640/Rio_China_leading_crowd_cheers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA setter Courtney Thompson fires up the crowd at the USA/China match<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More important, Larson displayed leadership, something she
usually concedes on Team USA to either <b>Christa
Dietzen</b> or Courtney Thompson. In the world of international professional
volleyball, Larson has long been among the world’s elite. As she and her teammates
chase Olympic gold, it’d be the perfect time for Larson to break out all the
gum, necklaces and earrings she can muster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Larson</b> wears her
necklace in memory of her mother, <b>Kae</b>,
who died of breast cancer in 2009.</li>
<li>Throughout these Olympics, coaches have not been shy about requesting
<b>video replay</b> to challenge referees’
calls. It was highly unusual, then, that the first video challenge in today’s
match didn’t come until more than halfway through the third set. China coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b> correctly saw that an
attack had grazed <b>Kelly Murphy’s</b>
finger, which changed the score to 17-14 in favor of USA. Lang Ping made 3 more
challenges, winning one and losing two. <b>Karch
Kiraly</b> never asked for a replay.</li>
<li>With USA trailing 12-9 in the first set, Kiraly called a
timeout. “Just one thing,” he told his team. “Slow things down. You don’t need
to get all the points back at once.” After a beat, he continued. “Make that two
things.” After pointing out the obvious, that his team was serving terribly, he
said, “you can choose to write a different story at any time.” After making six
service errors that first set, USA made only six more the rest of the match.</li>
<li>And endless string of bad serves probably cost <b>Rachael Adams</b> her starting middle
blocker spot, at least for the moment. Adams entered the match with 17 service
errors in her first four Olympic matches, and added two more in the first set.
Kiraly replaced her the rest of the match with captain <b>Christa Dietzen</b>, who immediately missed her first serve, and
another in the fourth. Kiraly used <b>Courtney
Thompson</b> as a designated server in the final three sets. Thompson—who has
no service errors in the Rio Olympics—continued that error-free streak against
China, driving all five of her float serves into China’s libero, <b>Li Lin</b>.</li>
<li>USA finished Pool B with a 5-0 record and 14 points and will face the fourth-place Pool A team, <b>Japan</b> (2-3, 6 points.) <b>Netherlands</b> (4-1, 11 points) was second
and will face <b>South Korea</b> (3-2, 9
points) in the quarterfinals. <b>Serbia</b>
(3-2, 10 points) finished third and will face <b>Russia</b> (4-1, 12 points). <b>China</b> (2-3, 7 points) is fourth, and
meets Pool A winner <b>Brazil</b> (5-0, 15 points).</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-42481532922941540722016-08-12T14:01:00.001-07:002016-08-15T14:46:26.553-07:00Olympic Games | Too close for comfort as USA tops Italy 3-1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Even as USA
struggles, it captures top Pool B seed behind Karsta Lowe's inspired performance</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12: USA
def. Italy 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14, 1:05PM
vs. China</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16
Quarterfinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18
Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal
Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf98kNo4XnLCoFmRxkcsoLIsM21CldietseIqkh330BmomMBhHwTDsT1Y4BG8pPLG7VCwBqTIJFYr0iCC3enMHPtD59s03dHQ9r1GPTTrn547CXpkdBVrZpP5ZjyhBu3A3UftwACAQyg/s1600/Rio_Italy_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf98kNo4XnLCoFmRxkcsoLIsM21CldietseIqkh330BmomMBhHwTDsT1Y4BG8pPLG7VCwBqTIJFYr0iCC3enMHPtD59s03dHQ9r1GPTTrn547CXpkdBVrZpP5ZjyhBu3A3UftwACAQyg/s640/Rio_Italy_cheer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Opposite Karsta Lowe celebrates a point during a 3-1 win against Italy in the Rio Olympics<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An ugly win is still a win. And this one was plenty ugly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four days after overcoming 18 service errors to defeat
upstart <b>Netherlands</b> in five sets, <b>USA</b> committed 19 more in just four sets
to squeak out a 3-1 <b>Rio Olympics</b> victory
over determined <b>Italy</b>, (25-22,
25-22, 23-25, 25-20). USA is now 4-0 in pool play, with a final preliminary
match against <b>China</b> Sunday
afternoon. USA clinched the top seed in Pool B when <b>Serbia</b> swept China 3-0 earlier this morning. That means the
Americans will play the fourth-seeded team from Pool A in Tuesday’s
quarterfinals, probably the winner of Sunday’s <b>Japan/Argentina</b> match.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ereh8YlLqFbph8D0FP1yNfM_iFTjOxajltNuBmSyMCAa9bRasJlis7yj80ciQTkyv08FySHlKO8jL4m_CuP6wGvEqGtu-ABmzRDleXZIBGOUq4AYOaWwHnoy8cZcz3dQvFmYNYUKw4/s1600/Rio_ITA_Paola_Egonu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ereh8YlLqFbph8D0FP1yNfM_iFTjOxajltNuBmSyMCAa9bRasJlis7yj80ciQTkyv08FySHlKO8jL4m_CuP6wGvEqGtu-ABmzRDleXZIBGOUq4AYOaWwHnoy8cZcz3dQvFmYNYUKw4/s320/Rio_ITA_Paola_Egonu.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italy's Paoloa Egonu had 17 kills<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Against Italy, USA never found a sustained rhythm, haunted
by the usual volleyball bugaboos: passing and serving. Italy’s servers kept USA
passers on their heels, leading to Italy’s overwhelming 14-5 blocking advantage
for the match. Time and again, <b>Alicia
Glass</b> scrambled after poor passes, often sending sets into the teeth of
double blocks. For the match, USA had 66 kills and 24 hitting errors on 151
attempts (.278).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how did USA win? The Americans had 33 digs to Italy’s 22.
The Italians tipped far too often, getting just 44 kills on 127 attempts and 19
errors (.197). And whenever the Americans were in-system, they did a great job
converting, especially middles <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b> (13 kills) and <b>Rachael
Adams</b> (9 kills). But the real difference was opposite <b>Karsta Lowe</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until today, Lowe had only seen spot service in the
double-substitution. But late in the third set, coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b> inserted Lowe in a straight sub for <b>Kelly Murphy</b>. Lowe made an immediate
impact—but from an unexpected place: her defense. Time and again she kept
rallies alive by getting fists or fingers on balls headed toward an apparent Italian score. USA closed a 5-point third set deficit
to just one, 22-23. Lowe then stepped to the service line … and promptly served
out-of-bounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoNby4toeop7Jv9iwAFcuGkjHe2Ez1cGvFg2sMwckNZGXPzaJuPPzWrb3ADd0jf0WQZxidJkta-dB9UUEUkKYe9A7eGpau2FrLqhGQjCJvHT59Qtp_gVlbCdstkU7kAb-dnWHtKhzeM4/s1600/Rio_Italy_Alicia_cheers_Courtney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoNby4toeop7Jv9iwAFcuGkjHe2Ez1cGvFg2sMwckNZGXPzaJuPPzWrb3ADd0jf0WQZxidJkta-dB9UUEUkKYe9A7eGpau2FrLqhGQjCJvHT59Qtp_gVlbCdstkU7kAb-dnWHtKhzeM4/s640/Rio_Italy_Alicia_cheers_Courtney.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA setter Alicia Glass (1) celebrates a Courtney Thompson service ace. Thompson and Kelly Murphy were the only Americans not to commit a service error against Italy.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Kiraly stuck with Lowe for the fourth set, and it paid
off. She continued her outstanding defense, and cranked up her right-side
attacks, finishing with 12 kills despite limited playing time. Kiraly also
subbed <b>Kelsey Robinson</b> for starter <b>Kim Hill</b>, adding additional defense and
firepower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a 22-20 fourth-set lead, <b>Courtney Thompson</b> stepped to the service line. Her first two serves
forced bad Italian passes, leading to a Lowe kill and an Italy hitting error.
Her third serve was an ace. Her fourth serve again pushed Italy on its heels,
and the match ended as an Italian attack sailed out-of-bounds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHRzDVJFBXZjyrzYLKsaGy6q_8HBHWRJHTgDSVOR8zJfghxn6RwH9T9MbFevFtia7XHpE8XyvYINiMea4t6mseX9m7iucuwYewG8zXc3yC0aUpv-GJTNeANSF8FbpBcEVlz744yqTDqg/s1600/Rio_Italy_hugs_Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHRzDVJFBXZjyrzYLKsaGy6q_8HBHWRJHTgDSVOR8zJfghxn6RwH9T9MbFevFtia7XHpE8XyvYINiMea4t6mseX9m7iucuwYewG8zXc3yC0aUpv-GJTNeANSF8FbpBcEVlz744yqTDqg/s640/Rio_Italy_hugs_Murphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team USA celebrates a 3-1 victory, sending its record to 4-0 in the Rio Olympics preliminary rounds.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we’ve noted before, servers must be aggressive in the
Olympics. Far too many American errors, however, were serves into the net. USA’s
athleticism and experience provided enough of a margin to overcome Italy,
despite the poor service. That probably won’t work in the medal rounds against
the likes of <b>Russia</b> or <b>Brazil</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The crowd at <b>Maracanãzinho
Arena</b> was loud and large. Continuing a pattern, the mostly-Brazilian crowd
rooted for USA’s opponent, booing or making loud noises whenever USA served in
crucial situations. By contrast, we couldn’t help but notice the nearly-empty <b>soccer</b> stadium as <b>Sweden</b> won a quarterfinal shootout with <b>USA</b>. Soccer and volleyball are Brazil’s national sports, but make
no mistake: it’s men’s soccer they support, not women’s. </li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-35927151245859748472016-08-10T13:39:00.002-07:002016-08-15T14:46:15.214-07:00Olympic Games | USA qualifies for medal round with resounding win over Serbia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Middles play
big thanks to great serving and passing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08: USA
def. Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10: USA
def. Serbia 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12, 11:00AM
vs. Italy</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14, 1:05PM
vs. China</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16
Quarterfinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18
Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal
Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjafXoyNm3QA3V0wr3Rdw-4S5r_H6I08V_MWLKQD889mNE7n0CDq8spBiQO8iFHl8WAJOt8HI4ig-NP7qFCzEK9napl3bjYPKI5Jjhj_ZOhoy3fQk1zfZeANXX4ep_gjm-Dp3nmZB-3cA/s1600/Rio_Serbia_celebrate_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjafXoyNm3QA3V0wr3Rdw-4S5r_H6I08V_MWLKQD889mNE7n0CDq8spBiQO8iFHl8WAJOt8HI4ig-NP7qFCzEK9napl3bjYPKI5Jjhj_ZOhoy3fQk1zfZeANXX4ep_gjm-Dp3nmZB-3cA/s640/Rio_Serbia_celebrate_02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Alicia Glass (1) and Foluke Akinradewo (16) celebrate a point during USA's 3-1 win over Serbia<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My, oh, my, did USA’s middles look big. And, always, the little things made all the difference
as <b>USA</b> qualified for the <b>Rio Olympics</b> medal round with a
resounding 3-1 win over <b>Serbia</b> (25-17,
21-25, 25-18, 25-19).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBxy021V8qluTkRsaNckxtjF8AwweiXev-9JUzOCIQm9lRn5DGWTwRjTp76kvU-0c2UR0lNOEwDmhGeHl5xpAgk_ToIUh_HsGa5yk1xgnII6eXq9EdQzg-tqbZtXywxFq8u7IaakMzNY/s1600/Rio_Serbia_serve_prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBxy021V8qluTkRsaNckxtjF8AwweiXev-9JUzOCIQm9lRn5DGWTwRjTp76kvU-0c2UR0lNOEwDmhGeHl5xpAgk_ToIUh_HsGa5yk1xgnII6eXq9EdQzg-tqbZtXywxFq8u7IaakMzNY/s320/Rio_Serbia_serve_prep.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Rachael Adams prepares to serve<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started with serving. Serbia launches big, powerful
jump serves. USA prefers flat floaters. American passers weren’t bothered one
bit by the Serbian jumpers, sending pass after pass into the waiting hands of <b>Alicia Glass</b>. Glass had a marvelous
match, deftly mixing her sets across the line, but especially to the middles. <b>Rachael Adams</b> finished with 13 kills; <b>Foluke Akinradewo</b> added 12
more. USA’s two outside hitters, <b>Kim
Hill</b> and <b>Jordan Larson</b>, had 11
and 9 kills respectively. Opposites <b>Kelly
Murphy</b> and <b>Karsta Lowe</b> combined
for 10 kills. That’s balance, folks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA’s serving was equally impressive. After committing 18
service errors in Monday’s 3-2 comeback win against the <b>Netherlands</b>, the Americans had just 8 errors this afternoon. Adams
was far and away the best server, landing 4 aces and frustrating the Serbians with
deadly floaters in every set. It was a complete reversal from her performance
against the Dutch, and rewarded USA coach <b>Karch
Kiraly’s</b> no-panic approach: Adams knew her
coach and teammates were behind her, and she responded big-time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great serving leads to great blocking, and USA dominated the net in all but the second set, when it was outblocked 6-0. Otherwise, the
American front line got several stuffs and many, many more soft touches,
allowing the back line to keep the ball in play.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l_JMxWzZYj5Nxj4Ru4P3hPwBrtESb_BoY49InHZ-oYLyUoNQ5HXoTWvHetKcEO-4zj6omJPd-jwhsClUCzxBggvFETdyOF7zlbK4WAUYJtXnRNp81myD_V8ZJHZSwXIXLxAIken7Rc4/s1600/Rio_Serbia_chase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l_JMxWzZYj5Nxj4Ru4P3hPwBrtESb_BoY49InHZ-oYLyUoNQ5HXoTWvHetKcEO-4zj6omJPd-jwhsClUCzxBggvFETdyOF7zlbK4WAUYJtXnRNp81myD_V8ZJHZSwXIXLxAIken7Rc4/s640/Rio_Serbia_chase.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Jordan Larson chases a ball during a rally against Serbia<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, truly, it was USA's best defensive effort in
these Olympics so far. Libero <b>Kayla
Banwarth</b> gathered 9 digs while Larson added 7 more. As she has throughout the
summer, Larson rarely fails to pursue balls even when they are well out-of-bounds.
Her teammates see—and are clearly inspired by—her effort.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouVkg0TenOA0-XbRNrEtLzpfz94QeigBTxsiiuX8U_ErIK7MtKDe_J4LkRhlcM3_hAGlN7cmA8f7qWWOh0B4QFxOdnMFS9i2oZM8_-KmKB3qxcYO7GxSbvnqOiVpA5HtL8mf2b5m_G7c/s1600/Rio_Serbia_Terzic_Zoran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouVkg0TenOA0-XbRNrEtLzpfz94QeigBTxsiiuX8U_ErIK7MtKDe_J4LkRhlcM3_hAGlN7cmA8f7qWWOh0B4QFxOdnMFS9i2oZM8_-KmKB3qxcYO7GxSbvnqOiVpA5HtL8mf2b5m_G7c/s640/Rio_Serbia_Terzic_Zoran.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serbia head coach Zoran Terzic<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the least-appreciated skill of all told the biggest
story. Time and again, the Americans kept rallies alive by covering Serbian blocks. The inability to put balls away clearly wore down the Serbians as they gave up big runs late in both the third and fourth sets. Serbian head
coach <b>Zoran Terzic, </b>a passionate
guy, lights into his players after errors. After a while, they simply
stopped looking to the sidelines. Frankly, they quit before the match was over.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-dKH7R574KlPV5GLYeZKPfu0B_JvkBS2dx4rc_GjzzSACO9_zbteW35knyP8ISA_RNakzCelQnXnuw9KvvTZbI22S1dXq-PJbsAKSW4JijjVWG2eEf-2ZqU03midW_n6jLBL_xBM2k/s1600/Rio_Serbia_bench_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx-dKH7R574KlPV5GLYeZKPfu0B_JvkBS2dx4rc_GjzzSACO9_zbteW35knyP8ISA_RNakzCelQnXnuw9KvvTZbI22S1dXq-PJbsAKSW4JijjVWG2eEf-2ZqU03midW_n6jLBL_xBM2k/s640/Rio_Serbia_bench_cheer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA players celebrate a point against Serbia<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA now leads Pool B with a 3-0 record. They will join <b>China</b>, Serbia and the Netherlands in
the medal round—all three have 2-1 records. <b>Italy</b> (0-3) and <b>Puerto Rico</b>
(0-3) were both eliminated from medal contention today. USA’s final two
preliminary matches will be Friday against Italy and Sunday against China. The
medal round begins next Tuesday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The dub-sub is back. For the first time in these Olympics, <b>Kiraly</b> used the double-substitution
throughout the match, after using it sparingly against <b>Puerto Rico</b> and not at all against <b>Holland</b>. Coming in for three rotations, opposite <b>Karsta Lowe</b> and setter <b>Carli Lloyd</b> were effective, keeping three
attackers on the front line for nine straight rotations.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-11392821300917343982016-08-08T14:46:00.000-07:002016-08-15T14:46:04.915-07:00Olympic Games | USA roars back to beat Netherlands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Americans overcome
horrible serving to stay undefeated</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08 USA def.
Netherlands 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10, 11:00AM
vs. Serbia</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12, 11:00AM
vs. Italy</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14, 1:05PM
vs. China</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16
Quarterfinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18
Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal
Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj9E2wAJD_nLJ6Ko5M0RbKkvHxeX9U5bL7ZcgYl4fcVJn1-ECwYbhgOMYAxVLafjy6zjU6Zo9ujzWD-TBvjgJa-FTT-q_vuXz3iervbXIOVrqnJ4Y0Pdgs2rA2xXqbtgY6nWtKUF6LtA/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_arms_raise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj9E2wAJD_nLJ6Ko5M0RbKkvHxeX9U5bL7ZcgYl4fcVJn1-ECwYbhgOMYAxVLafjy6zjU6Zo9ujzWD-TBvjgJa-FTT-q_vuXz3iervbXIOVrqnJ4Y0Pdgs2rA2xXqbtgY6nWtKUF6LtA/s640/Rio_Netherlands_arms_raise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA libero Kayla Banwarth celebrates USA's 3-2 comeback win over Netherlands<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In the end, USA finally served tough. Just in time.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOhIaySmj_6T32tyniyUkrXoSoE5Bp9jDVK5qnosOvrbHi6pX_z1ZI1pBz9de9eM4axQ7XXDRYhRt-mnuG3DI4MEcnFTS3qrawjbT1pUTPmIu9naMjGzm3CmYDQjfjVRTnTlLsmI-8B4/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_cheer_Hill_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOhIaySmj_6T32tyniyUkrXoSoE5Bp9jDVK5qnosOvrbHi6pX_z1ZI1pBz9de9eM4axQ7XXDRYhRt-mnuG3DI4MEcnFTS3qrawjbT1pUTPmIu9naMjGzm3CmYDQjfjVRTnTlLsmI-8B4/s400/Rio_Netherlands_cheer_Hill_02.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA's Jordan Larson (10) celebrates a point<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overcoming one of its worst serving performances of this or
any other season, <b>USA</b> came back from
a 2-1 deficit to beat <b>Netherlands</b>
3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8) to stay undefeated in <b>Olympic</b> competition in Rio. The Dutch,
who earlier upset <b>China</b>, fell to
1-1.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the match, USA committed 18 service errors, including 6
by <b>Kim Hill</b>, and 3 each by <b>Kelly Murphy</b> and <b>Rachael Adams</b>. The only Americans without an error were <b>Jordan Larson</b>, who had 19 serves, and <b>Courtney Thompson</b>, who served once.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what stood out:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>USA coach <b>Karch
Kiraly</b> has all but abandoned the <b>double-substitution</b>
in these Olympics, a weapon he has used throughout the entire quad. In the double-sub,
a substitute setter and opposite enter for three rotations, allowing the
Americans to keep three attackers on the front line for 9 straight rotations.
Kiraly’s failure to use the subs against the Netherlands was all the more
baffling because starting opposite Murphy was utterly ineffective at the service
line.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>There were two turning points in the match, both in the
fourth set. Trailing early in the set, Kiraly won a video challenge that turned
what would have been a four-point Dutch lead to just two. A few points later, Holland’s
captain, <b>Maret Balkestein</b>, went down
with a leg injury, never to return. Balkestein, a lefty, had 8 kills to that
point, and had been both an offensive force and an emotional leader on defense.
The loss of her energy seemed to dull the emotional edge Holland had established
since the beginning of the match.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlado1q9N2-VbX2lbw_Ysbfa__kSdx9rBNWKKWZ9L5qvo0ICAalKaA4oeH35N46mHXUXM-hCvohkBoRFV15EUNiGxGu1WvuZ7vpHJdEjt4pDYqpb2z7yYUOW2cRfZPup00cLQWWg82Tg/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_USA_Balkestein_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlado1q9N2-VbX2lbw_Ysbfa__kSdx9rBNWKKWZ9L5qvo0ICAalKaA4oeH35N46mHXUXM-hCvohkBoRFV15EUNiGxGu1WvuZ7vpHJdEjt4pDYqpb2z7yYUOW2cRfZPup00cLQWWg82Tg/s640/Rio_Netherlands_USA_Balkestein_cheer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch captain Maret Balkestein was having a sensational match against USA until she left with an injury.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Netherlands’ best attacker, <b>Lonneke Sloetjes</b> (20 kills), all but disappeared at the end of the
fourth set. Until that point, she had been Holland’s best weapon, but one
hitting error led to another and then another, as she seemed unable to regain
her focus. By contrast, one of Kiraly’s biggest successes with his team is its
ability not to dwell on previous plays.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Early on, Netherlands’ serve-and-pass was far better that
USA’s. As a result, setter <b>Alisha Glass</b>
struggled throughout the first three sets, often forcing her pin hitters to
push easy balls across the net. Once Balkestein went out, however, USA’s
serving and passing vastly improved, allowing Glass to set with greater
quickness and authority. The better serving helped the Americans put up several
big blocks during the deciding fifth set. <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b> was particularly devastating down the stretch, on both offense
and defense.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBXoPbtyWqDGPtCa3yHXAaEXet_3JfjsgC8sAIWl-HMyI1pwvTdq3IAHx3ET6FCnlSKXFLCtluZv2nArHy3JDg9rMsMVWdGe-Gknj4A98fOQS7p17nk8q6-4gaZ8Np-0LoBvOdyhmCOY/s1600/Rio_NED_match_point_huddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBXoPbtyWqDGPtCa3yHXAaEXet_3JfjsgC8sAIWl-HMyI1pwvTdq3IAHx3ET6FCnlSKXFLCtluZv2nArHy3JDg9rMsMVWdGe-Gknj4A98fOQS7p17nk8q6-4gaZ8Np-0LoBvOdyhmCOY/s640/Rio_NED_match_point_huddle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA celebrates match point in a 3-2 win over Netherlands. The Americans face undefeated Serbia on Wednesday.<br />
<i style="font-size: 12.8px;">-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this level, servers must be aggressive. Otherwise,
opponents will quickly pass/set/kill. USA’s service errors were consistently
long—way long—which may have been failed efforts to force poor passers to reach
for the ball. Kudos to Holland for not taking the bait. By the fifth set, the
American servers had regained their confidence and poise, delivering 3 of their
5 service aces in the final frame.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">NOTES</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Once again, the <b>NBC/Comcast</b>
networks dropped the ball. On the main NBC channel, viewers were treated to
Australia vs. Serbia in men’s basketball, followed by swimming preliminary
heats. The only coverage of the USA/Netherlands volleyball thriller was on the <b>NBC Sports App</b>. Instead of NBC’s fine
announcing team of <b>Paul Sunderland</b>
and <b>Kevin Barnett</b>, we got a British
commentator who—let’s be honest—was not up to Olympic standards.</li>
<li>Meantime, an analysis by the well-respected data-crunching
site <b><a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/best-worst-olympic-sports-survey-ranked/">FiveThirtyEight.com</a></b> concludes
that the best Olympic sport is … wait for it … volleyball. Even more, the site
determined that viewers believe indoor volleyball is even slightly better than
beach. Are you listening, NBC? Didn’t think so.</li>
<li>Earlier today, <b>China</b>
defeated <b>Italy</b> 3-0 (25-21, 25-21,
25-16), and <b>Japan</b> beat <b>Cameroon</b> 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-17).</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-88713731005881411492016-08-06T15:26:00.000-07:002016-08-15T14:45:55.024-07:00Olympic Games | USA wins Olympic opener<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Americans
overcome unforced errors to defeat Puerto Rico</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s
National Team Schedule<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06: USA
def. Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08, 11:00AM
vs. Netherlands</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10, 11:00AM
vs. Serbia</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12, 11:00AM
vs. Italy</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14, 1:05PM
vs. China</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16
Quarterfinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18
Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal
Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxioox42tEujAyttRtvVgdRTa-W724LHULx6QXMQP8mCYQNLrfh-ua_cekCIUe_WSpEEWxqiQYCIhBKOgbqTABjbxOtzaLM9rvudlNlSNzKteygnsHN-DE5byVsDCeKhTLy281xjz_7Vg/s1600/Rio_PR_Rachael_block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxioox42tEujAyttRtvVgdRTa-W724LHULx6QXMQP8mCYQNLrfh-ua_cekCIUe_WSpEEWxqiQYCIhBKOgbqTABjbxOtzaLM9rvudlNlSNzKteygnsHN-DE5byVsDCeKhTLy281xjz_7Vg/s640/Rio_PR_Rachael_block.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Middle Blocker Rachael Adams (5) blocks against Puerto Rico's Karina Ocasio<br />
-<i>photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the summer, video replays have been <b>USA’s</b> friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the month-long <b>World
Grand Prix</b>, USA coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b>
had uncanny luck when asking for a video review of referee calls. In match
after match, USA won the lion’s share of both its own challenges, and those
initiated by opposing coaches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But during today’s 3-0 sweep of <b>Puerto Rico</b> in USA’s opening round of the <b>Rio Olympics</b>, Kiraly’s luck turned. One ball called out was shown
on replay to have caught a fingernail of the line, overturning what had
initially been an American point. An attack Kiraly thought might have caught
the block was ruled otherwise. Puerto Rico coach <b>Juan Carlos Núñez</b> correctly saw that another ball ruled in was out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even so, USA won the first two sets, overcoming several
service errors and generally off-target passing. When it counted, much of the
offense went through the right side, either off the arm of Opposite <b>Kelly Murphy</b>, or on a high leap and
quick snap from Middle Blocker <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b>. For the match, USA outblocked Puerto Rico 10-4.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-Lpn0sqc6rmd3gh2X7-FM76LmIGK_fXbA00C84IDdV6kxjxrt16O8Oyk6FYzOltI9HG4dMg2a_Czh-ke0vz9_Plx9jDaIKZluYAc5ENZudRX7bvjnZqdk_GRisK8gF_Vpu4N_yuQ6bo/s1600/Rio_PR_Karch_complains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-Lpn0sqc6rmd3gh2X7-FM76LmIGK_fXbA00C84IDdV6kxjxrt16O8Oyk6FYzOltI9HG4dMg2a_Czh-ke0vz9_Plx9jDaIKZluYAc5ENZudRX7bvjnZqdk_GRisK8gF_Vpu4N_yuQ6bo/s640/Rio_PR_Karch_complains.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA coach Karch Kiraly protests a video replay call as USA's Carli Lloyd looks on<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the third set, Puerto Rico hung tough. With USA leading 13-11,
Kiraly asked for a video challenge after a sloppy joust just in front of the
referee stand. After staring up at the video screen, Kiraly pleaded with down
referee <b>Joo-Hee Kang</b> of South Korea to
rule that Puerto Rico’s attack had hit the net outside the antenna. When up ref
<b>Taoufik Boudaya</b> of Tunisia
disagreed, Kiraly told his team, “That’s a bad call.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like most elite teams, USA practices repeatedly how it
should react to calls go against them. As it did in the first set, the
Americans went on a tear, pulling ahead 20-15 en route to a 25-17 third set
victory. Along the way, Núñez asked for a video review of an out-of-bounds
attack, hoping the ball had clipped the USA block.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It hadn’t. And USA finally won a challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">CHINA UPSET BY
HOLLAND<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the first big indoor volleyball upset of these Olympics,
the <b>Netherlands</b> knocked off <b>China</b>, 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22,
15-13).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJo30aAukbIcraI8JuPzDOTHdUPxy8105tBfQBov4EOdnCUsPkq2HSPIk0higVEVjBdQlrxWAqjp9843sDZDXNgUrRCudFvaV6m_bowgtG2gDQKWvlyeH64sfZnFo18968wvvmDUF1EQ/s1600/Rio_Netherlands_def_China_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJo30aAukbIcraI8JuPzDOTHdUPxy8105tBfQBov4EOdnCUsPkq2HSPIk0higVEVjBdQlrxWAqjp9843sDZDXNgUrRCudFvaV6m_bowgtG2gDQKWvlyeH64sfZnFo18968wvvmDUF1EQ/s640/Rio_Netherlands_def_China_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch players celebrate their 3-2 upset win over China<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The match was a showcase of China’s powerful outside hitter <b>Zhu Ting</b> (21 kills) and Holland’s
impressive outside <b>Lonneke Sloetjes</b>
(24 kills). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key to the match was when China coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b> decided to make Zhu her
first server in the fifth set. That kept Zhu off the front line for most of the
set, allowing Sloetjes to dominate at the net.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Netherlands is USA’s next opponent, this Monday at 11AM
(Pacific).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-45479610034156840322016-08-05T16:22:00.000-07:002016-08-15T14:45:21.921-07:00Olympic Games | Olympic Volleyball on Television<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">How to find live
Olympic volleyball, both televised and streaming, for indoor and beach</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Women’s National
Team Schedule (all times Pacific)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 06, 1:05PM vs.
Puerto Rico</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 08, 11:00AM vs.
Netherlands</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 10, 11:00AM vs.
Serbia</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 12, 11:00AM vs.
Italy</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 14, 1:05PM vs.
China</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 16 Quarterfinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 18 Semifinals</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Aug 20 Medal Finals</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y83AksTvmmy6fzcKFGO-bJWVEPlUrtebCXpbRlp6YXkKe4yl_Ugby6DxTSYQJ9dflze22ZNVGq1W3fY55QWYsnniB3NsTw2rDPjZ-VYr5McPA6IVOc73o3SzLFLR2trrBbAp2pIL5vQ/s1600/Rio_Opening_Ceremonies_uniforms_flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y83AksTvmmy6fzcKFGO-bJWVEPlUrtebCXpbRlp6YXkKe4yl_Ugby6DxTSYQJ9dflze22ZNVGq1W3fY55QWYsnniB3NsTw2rDPjZ-VYr5McPA6IVOc73o3SzLFLR2trrBbAp2pIL5vQ/s640/Rio_Opening_Ceremonies_uniforms_flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Women's Olympic Team poses in their Rio Opening Ceremonies outfits<br />
<i>-photo courtesy USA Volleyball</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As <b>Olympic</b> competition
gets underway in earnest tomorrow, we’ve received several guides to try to help
those who prefer to watch as much volleyball as possible. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the best guide we’ve found so far:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><a href="https://indd.adobe.com/view/24eadccd-3179-4158-bdf1-9709845fa759" target="_blank">USA Volleyball Viewers Guide to Rio</a></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://indd.adobe.com/view/24eadccd-3179-4158-bdf1-9709845fa759" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlWLwEZys4uwZMwx3qrkw-49zfaKXzx8KrZMudqKQsSMYfjlY2h_X3hwdj_6l1-hh1AeUfsbt3WGm0XExerPja62KQMWUku9EO80zdMo38vWE56rmD7vxVadkzRsHGoXHbHFGq12sR3o/s200/USAV+Olympic+Game+Viewers+Guide+to+Rio.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>NBC</b> and its many
affiliates promise to provide a record amount of live coverage, via broadcast,
cable and streaming. That’s the good news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bad news is finding live volleyball to watch amid all
those outlets and all the other sports they cover.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Your access to live volleyball may depend on your level of
access to various cable or internet services. Some of those channels or
services cost extra.</li>
<li>Regular old over-the-air NBC may often list volleyball as
part of its broadcast channel offering, but it’s likely to air just part of each
contest, switching around to other sports during that time block.</li>
<li>In our home, we’re hoping the <b><a href="http://www.nbcsports.com/sports-mobile" target="_blank">NBC Sports App</a></b> will offer the most first-serve-through-last-serve
volleyball coverage.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eJMahcmfhppa3lUXc0CGBr4V9pGDl7HYzjlNz3c94Y5lPcLfC8-hK87fIj6Kx0dR4_K-TSgNb4G94mvURoQHIEzFM-F14oJoqdtQ942nhcRa0A4wsijZiKwibXe6lWzj4nmiOPYZndk/s1600/Paul+Sunderland+Kevin+Barnett+selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eJMahcmfhppa3lUXc0CGBr4V9pGDl7HYzjlNz3c94Y5lPcLfC8-hK87fIj6Kx0dR4_K-TSgNb4G94mvURoQHIEzFM-F14oJoqdtQ942nhcRa0A4wsijZiKwibXe6lWzj4nmiOPYZndk/s1600/Paul+Sunderland+Kevin+Barnett+selfie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Sunderland and Kevin Barnett in Rio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indoor volleyball fans are lucky that NBC has once again
paired <b>Paul Sunderland</b> and <b>Kevin Barnett</b> for the play-by-play and commentary.
Both were Olympians themselves, both are smart as whips, and both have been
broadcasting for many years. Sunderland can be crusty and outspoken, the
perfect antidote to the Joe Buck/Jim Nance bland school of broadcasting.
Barnett has a quick wit and—like Sunderland—really knows the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If NBC is smart, it will break the American networks’ tired
tradition of putting too much attention on just four sports: gymnastics,
basketball, track & field and swimming. Unlike volleyball, each of those
sports offer plenty of commercial break opportunities. But here’s the deal: none
of those sports merits outsized prime time attention at the expense of other
sports.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Gymnastics?</b> A
niche event decided by judges with a long history of homerism. Does anyone
understand the scoring system, short of when a gymnast falls? Is one
performance really 0.01 points better than another? And, while the rest of us
can actually run or swim or shoot hoops in our everyday lives, who among us has
ever been on parallel bars or a pommel horse? Sure, these athletes are strong,
talented and dedicated. But so are dancers. So are Cirque du Soleil performers.
Not every form of art or entertainment is sport.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Track & field?</b>
Besides cycling, what other sport has been so discredited by doping scandals?
Sure, it was the original Olympic sport, but do we need to see so many
preliminary heats? Give that time to other sports.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Swimming?</b> The
only thing more boring than watching swimming on TV is watching from the
stands. Measuring the difference between gold, silver and bronze by wall-touch sensors
calibrated to hundredths of a second borders on silly. And ditto on the
excessive screen time for preliminary heats.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Basketball?</b>
Sorry, Hard to get excited by NBA all stars vs. the world, especially when the Americans
spend very little time practicing as a team, much less mingling with other
Olympians. Cut more slack for women’s basketball, though, for whom the
Olympics offer a rare chance in the spotlight.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NBC and its broadcast partners are all part of the <b>Comcast</b> conglomerate. I have no idea
why golf is an Olympic sport, but it makes sense that Comcast’s Golf Channel
will give it hours of airtime. It does not, however, make sense that Comcast’s
Bravo Channel is offering wall-to-wall coverage of … tennis. Why is tennis an
Olympic sport? And—like men’s basketball and golf—don’t these millionaires have
enough exposure already?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can be absolutely sure that the citizens of one particular
country will be watching plenty of volleyball: <b>Brazil</b>. Brazilians love men’s soccer (not so much women’s), but don’t
care all that much about Olympic soccer (World Cup is the real soccer event.) At
these Olympics, volleyball is the hot ticket. Let’s hope NBC notices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Check out NBC’s “<b><a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/top-volleyball-stories-watch-rio" target="_blank">Top Volleyball Stories to Watch in Rio</a></b><a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/top-volleyball-stories-watch-rio" target="_blank">.</a>” Five stories. In two of them, <b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2016/07/idolized-american.html" target="_blank">Courtney Thompson</a></b> is the central focus.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-1350376090931612842016-08-03T13:48:00.002-07:002016-08-15T14:45:32.711-07:00Olympic Games | Rio Arena is a “volleyball temple”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">For USA’s Courtney
Thompson, Maracanãzinho brings her National Team career full circle</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="color: #843c0c;">USA women's indoor volleyball Olympic Schedule (all times Pacific)</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 06, 1:05PM vs. Puerto
Rico</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 08, 11:00AM vs.
Netherlands</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 10, 11:00AM vs. Serbia</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 12, 11:00AM vs. Italy</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 14, 1:05PM vs. China</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 16 Quarterfinals</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 18 Semifinals</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">Aug 20 Medal Finals</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP4yFFjUHZ0xf8_P9ykHnasiPpVMbXaP-wu7Ko_w2mSXHBGuICbcVXX2DEiUmjAfAR-SzSHRZZt57dJY4esQXLzRIxXu9fIyUUY1vkAvJBeAUFI3ZftJDbKfY55d-AjqYxlpO24tBrxU/s1600/Rio_training_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP4yFFjUHZ0xf8_P9ykHnasiPpVMbXaP-wu7Ko_w2mSXHBGuICbcVXX2DEiUmjAfAR-SzSHRZZt57dJY4esQXLzRIxXu9fIyUUY1vkAvJBeAUFI3ZftJDbKfY55d-AjqYxlpO24tBrxU/s640/Rio_training_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Karch Kiraly and members of the USA National Team during their first practice at Maracanãzinho Arena<br />
<i>-photo courtesy USA Volleyball</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was mid-July, 2007. 22-year-old <b>Courtney Thompson</b> sat on a plane in Colorado, the first leg of a
journey that would take the <b>US National
Team</b> to the <b>Pan Am Games</b> in Rio
de Janeiro. For Thompson, who had just graduated from the University of <b>Washington</b>, it was the first time she
had been included on a National Team roster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is so stinking cool,” said Thompson that day. We had
reached her cellphone, just as the plane was boarding. “I just looked down and
saw the letters ‘USA’ on my chest,” she told us in 2007. “I can’t believe this
is happening.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2007 Pan Am Games volleyball competition was held in <b>Maracanãzinho Arena</b>. Built in 1954,
next door to Rio’s massive Maracanã soccer stadium (Maracanãzinho means “Little
Maracanã”,) the arena had been extensively remodeled for the 2007 competition.
Over the years, it has hosted scores of major—and memorable—volleyball matches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s the temple of volleyball,” USA head coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b> told us. Kiraly, who
played many big international competitions there as a member of the US Men’s
National Team says “that gym means volleyball. It’s a volleyball cathedral.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_o9nyorpwHJ-S5fHeqZu1fBBMd91ZQ2oDbptcjyQtCPmkNZngKsEwP4BIWgp_yOTo0ZoFLKea7P8wuwvywxFt-y-618QxvEgB-e1VZFn2VfHYFaMB2nB_D-9aRa4Asgv6pre3Qi7UNw/s1600/Maracanazinho+wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_o9nyorpwHJ-S5fHeqZu1fBBMd91ZQ2oDbptcjyQtCPmkNZngKsEwP4BIWgp_yOTo0ZoFLKea7P8wuwvywxFt-y-618QxvEgB-e1VZFn2VfHYFaMB2nB_D-9aRa4Asgv6pre3Qi7UNw/s640/Maracanazinho+wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Coach Karch Kiraly calls Rio's Maracanãzinho Arena "the temple of volleyball"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the nine years since her first Maracanãzinho match,
Thompson has been on the USA roster for 148 subsequent matches. Yesterday,
however, was the first time she had set foot in the stories arena since 2007,
as USA held its first pre-Olympic training session in Rio. Although Thompson
played professionally for Rio’s <b>Rexona-Ades</b>
last season, her team’s home matches were in another part of town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Although we didn’t play in Maracanãzinho,” says Thompson, “I
went there and walked around the stadium and the arena. I sat outside and
visualized competing in the Olympics.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson says these Olympic Games will be the last time she
ever wears a USA jersey. “Oh, yeah, “she says, “I definitely feel that this is
the right time to finish up. I’m very much over being away from friends and
family. I love playing with the National Team. But playing overseas, being gone
for nine months a year, I just have no enthusiasm around that anymore. I just
want a community, and my friends and family. Also, volleyball is a huge part of
me, but it’s not everything. I’m excited to figure out what’s next. To use my
skills and see some other sides to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the next two weeks, the side the rest of us will see is
Thompson and her teammates in Maracanãzinho. “We all love playing in Brazil,” she
says, “so it’s gonna be incredible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">VOLLEYBALL HOUSING
IN RIO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The USA Volleyball women’s and men’s team are staying this week
in the Olympic Village, making the long commute to Maracanãzinho for some of
their training sessions. They will soon, however, move to a hotel closer to the
arena, largely to avoid the traffic jams that can turn Rio commutes into a
nightmare.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Friday, teams will participate in the Opening Ceremonies
in Maracanã soccer stadium. Because the teams will each enter the Ceremonies in
the order of the Portuguese spelling of each nation’s name, USA will be
relatively early, under the banner of “Estados Unidos.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-67684434213285864372016-07-31T11:39:00.000-07:002016-08-15T14:45:40.525-07:00Olympic Games | Idolized American<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Follow women's Rio Olympics indoor volleyball on Volleyblog Seattle.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu_AJlQWGj95gPjhUCFJwTQjclX2hXAmQjz_-GeGHQbAAAj4GevmiGjsNx-5gAKpUfnk00GuNy4dLyRFYuCsR540YmszoHLU6JlK92NeyK-GafBUI9UL9UAujprFfzwoGJhE50AWYPBM/s1600/USA_GP_DOM_Courtney_set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu_AJlQWGj95gPjhUCFJwTQjclX2hXAmQjz_-GeGHQbAAAj4GevmiGjsNx-5gAKpUfnk00GuNy4dLyRFYuCsR540YmszoHLU6JlK92NeyK-GafBUI9UL9UAujprFfzwoGJhE50AWYPBM/s640/USA_GP_DOM_Courtney_set.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-time USA Olympian, setter Courtney Thompson<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.25in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Idolized American</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Jack Hamann, special to <i>The Seattle Times</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Alicia Glass</b> sat
in Hec Ed Pavilion’s bleachers and stared. On the court below, Ohio State had
just scored a point against <b>Washington</b>
in a 2006 NCAA volleyball playoff match. As a Buckeyes player retreated to the
service line, Washington senior setter <b>Courtney
Thompson</b> stood defiantly below the referee stand, debating the official’s previous
call. She argued emphatically. Persistently. Long and loud enough to draw a
yellow card.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glass, then a freshman setter, was preparing to lead her <b>Penn State</b> team against Washington the
next night for the right to advance to the <b>2006
Final Four</b>. A decade later, she remembers how her coach, <b>Russ Rose</b>, reacted to Thompson’s
tirade. “He says, ‘did you see that? That’s a leader right there. Do you see
that passion? Do you see how she fires up her teammates? That’s how you need to
be as a leader.’”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three years earlier, in those same bleachers, a prized high
school recruit out of San Diego named <b>Carli
Lloyd</b> also stared in wonder. She, too, was a setter, and couldn’t keep her
eyes off Thompson, then the freshman captain of the Huskies. The fierceness.
The pumped fists. The guttural “Ayyyyyy!” after every winning point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was the first time I had ever seen her play,” says
Lloyd. “And I looked around and said to someone, <i>I want to be her.</i> Man, I just idolized her. How she played. The way
she led her teammates. Her fire.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On August 6, 2016, Thompson, Glass and Lloyd will all step
onto the <b>Summer Olympics</b> volleyball court
at Rio de Janeiro’s famed <b>Maracanãzinho
Arena</b>, each wearing the red, white and blue of the <b>US National Team.</b> The fact that USA’s 12-woman roster includes 3 who
play setter is a source of pride for some—and controversy for others—as the
world’s top-ranked team tries to win gold in the most volleyball-mad city on
Earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Seattle’s own Courtney Thompson will undoubtedly be a big
part of the story, whether the US finally wins its first women’s volleyball Olympic
gold, or—especially—if it does not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
+ + +<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you don’t know much about volleyball, you’re part of a
shrinking crowd. In most states, more girls play volleyball than any other high
school team sport. That’s particularly true in Washington and Oregon, where
volleyball long ago surpassed girls’ basketball in the sheer number of
participants, and has never been seriously challenged by girls’ soccer or
softball.<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">According to the most recent <b><a href="http://www.nfhs.org/articles/high-school-sports-participation-increases-for-26th-consecutive-year/">National Federation of High Schools Participation Survey</a></b>, volleyball has passed
basketball in total female participants. Nationwide, 432,176 girls played high
school volleyball in 2015, compared to 429,504 for basketball. In 19 states,
volleyball is the most popular girls’ high school sport, followed by track
& field with 17 and soccer with 8. If you take away track & field—where
rosters usually accommodate far more athletes—then volleyball is most popular
in 25 states.</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">In Washington state, volleyball has long been #1 in total high
school girls participation, and continues to widen the gap. Basketball is #4,
trailing both #2 track and #3 soccer.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since 2003, the <b>University
of Washington</b> has built one of the nation’s elite college volleyball
programs, drawing bigger home crowds than any UW sport except football and
men’s basketball. During that span, volleyball’s haul of All-Americans, future
professionals, future coaches, win-loss records and postseason success has been
matched by no other Huskies program this side of men’s and women’s crew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Courtney Thompson, who arrived at Washington in 2003, is
arguably the most accomplished female athlete in UW’s storied history. As a
two-time Olympian, longtime top international professional, multiple <b>All-American</b>,
National Champion team captain and <b>Honda Award</b> Winner as the nation’s top
volleyball player, she’s assembled a résumé that few Husky athletes, including
males, have ever matched. Born and raised in Kent, Thompson may be the finest
female athlete ever to come out of the state.<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span><span style="color: #0070c0; line-height: 107%;">Courtney Thompson, who arrived at Washington in
2003, is arguably the most accomplished female athlete in UW’s storied history
Born and raised in Kent, Thompson may be the finest female athlete ever to come
out of the state.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></span></blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than 1,000 schools field <b>NCAA women’s volleyball</b> teams, including more than 300 in Division
1. All colleges carry two or more setters on their rosters. That means that, in
the decade since Thompson graduated from Washington, at least 10,000 setters
have played college ball. Many, it’s safe to assume, have had dreams of being
an Olympian.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOVgMqREOxf7ub5nPKSHT22FldqZNvrVYlqNk5cVkCjbsojACZBGEcikCEWQq7n1wueAvvDeyXcsLxZwo7U3E697PaMmDTPUkAP2R1I0nwEwn0Kf5EooQplFmPA9GxL0C5zNee2Lk4Bg/s1600/USA_WC_Netherlands_CT_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOVgMqREOxf7ub5nPKSHT22FldqZNvrVYlqNk5cVkCjbsojACZBGEcikCEWQq7n1wueAvvDeyXcsLxZwo7U3E697PaMmDTPUkAP2R1I0nwEwn0Kf5EooQplFmPA9GxL0C5zNee2Lk4Bg/s640/USA_WC_Netherlands_CT_cheer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney Thompson cheers a USA point in a victory against the Netherlands in the 2014 World Championships<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But of the dozens of setters who might—with hard work—develop
world-class skills, only a few display enough talent and perseverance to earn a
spot on professional teams overseas. Those who play pro return to Anaheim each
summer to compete for one of perhaps thirty spots—including 4 to 6 setters—on
the US National Team. For most major international tournaments, only 14 players
make the US roster. For the Olympics, only 12 can go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say the odds were long Thompson would twice make the
Olympic roster—2012 in London and 2016 in Rio—is even more an understatement
when you consider the average height for world-class volleyball setters has risen
dramatically the last decade. Thompson is exceedingly strong, fit and athletic,
but she’s 5-8 tall in a game of 6-footers. And the past four years—and the past
four months—have tested Thompson like never before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
+ + +<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson and Minnesota alum <b>Lindsey Berg</b> were the two setters on USA’s London Olympics roster.
The team was packed with talent, and as it faced <b>Brazil</b> for the gold medal, the Americans hadn’t lost a single match
the entire year. USA dominated the first set, but lost the second. Then the
third. As Brazil continued its charge, key American players became frustrated.
Eyes rolled. Stars sulked. Teammates were ignored.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA lost in four sets, earning silver medals. As the winners
celebrated as only Brazilians can, Thompson and her teammates stood in shock.
By many measures, the more talented team had lost.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Talent took us far,” Thompson says, “But what we weren’t
able to help each other in tough moments. “When we got pushed, we didn’t know
how to have each other’s backs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyaVvRbyYhHoJJQjQCHTGY-cTTHgPBT2e6P7kTmpNkrpax8EPL3rkKn65_ZAmpSjQHGwGHjra-TtscRjdXNuAI9fRiJCaB9VUBxXsfz4d6beWbGKnnlZzJXL2ZNGjDFx24D2r31VE5Qc/s1600/Courtney+cheeks+Tauron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyaVvRbyYhHoJJQjQCHTGY-cTTHgPBT2e6P7kTmpNkrpax8EPL3rkKn65_ZAmpSjQHGwGHjra-TtscRjdXNuAI9fRiJCaB9VUBxXsfz4d6beWbGKnnlZzJXL2ZNGjDFx24D2r31VE5Qc/s320/Courtney+cheeks+Tauron.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney Thompson spent the winter of 2013-14 <br />
with the professional team in Lodz, Poland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That autumn, Thompson got an offer to play professionally in
<b>Łódź, Poland</b>, a country almost as volleyball-crazy
as Brazil. It was her fifth season overseas, following stints in Puerto Rico,
Austria and Switzerland. But what should have been her next big step turned as
cold and bleak as the Polish winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My team wasn’t very good,” says Thompson. “My coach was in
his first year. I had always been the underdog, always had a chip on my
shoulder. But having just come from the Olympics, I felt like a lot of people’s
expectations of me changed. I was the same person, but it was not an easy
environment to get fired up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following summer, she eagerly returned to the Women’s
National Team gym, thrilled that Karch Kiraly had been elevated to head coach.
Berg had retired, but there were new setters in the mix, and Thompson was left
off the roster for almost every major 2013 international tournament. USA setter
coach Tom Black recalls how Thompson grew increasingly anxious and unhappy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was a huge blow for her,” says Black, “because she was
hoping she had reached a certain status in the program.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was gut-wrenching,” remembers Thompson. “It was so
difficult to see your teammates doing something, and experiencing something,
that you want so badly, and you’ve sacrificed so much for. I was really
questioning: does this mean I should retire?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, says Black, “Courtney was crying and frustrated and
upset. So I took her into the cafeteria for lunch. I remember saying, <i>Hey, Courtney, it’s NEVER gonna be easy for
you. Ever. You don’t have anywhere near the physical gifts to think you can just
cruise. If you’re gonna stay here, it’s gonna be hard. All the time. You gotta
accept that.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never thought I could just cruise in,” Thompson says,
“but what Tom said was absolutely true. He reminded me that I’m a fighter, and that
I gotta keep throwing punches.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the midst of her struggles, Thompson got a call from one
of Europe’s top professional teams, a Swiss club called <b>Volero</b>. It was the perfect tonic. “Zurich is beautiful,” she says.
“I love the mountains. The people are great.” And the volleyball was great,
too, as Thompson led her team deep into the playoffs of several prestigious
international tournaments. Her confidence began to return.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
+ + +<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In women’s international volleyball, the margins separating
top teams are surprisingly thin. All have talent, size and experience. But as
the London Olympics gold medal meltdown made clear, talent isn’t enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the National Team reassembled in 2014, US women had still
never won any of the three major quadrennial tournaments: <b>World Championships</b>, <b>World
Cup</b> and <b>Olympics</b>. Kiraly took
note of Thompson’s new determination and included her on several tournament
rosters, culminating with the World Championships in Italy. After ten grueling
preliminary matches, USA defeated <b>Russia</b>
then <b>Brazil</b> then <b>China</b> to capture the title. It was, to
that point, the biggest moment in the history of American women’s volleyball.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The players,” says Thompson, “have a bond that will last
forever because of that tournament. It was just so much damn fun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K5n5knAwpMw7P2s-o7Z2hM65EzJy9xzHqh5tN-VENkFPtlmiC0dpR4pVwutTn-4izQrpvq5Z4TAMggWsKPAvM21apiNOLkyjJM2oxI5vw2OXB6S7ad_9K_guJXGAIVPV0kG_0rEu17o/s1600/NORCECA_PR_Courtney_saves_bad_pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K5n5knAwpMw7P2s-o7Z2hM65EzJy9xzHqh5tN-VENkFPtlmiC0dpR4pVwutTn-4izQrpvq5Z4TAMggWsKPAvM21apiNOLkyjJM2oxI5vw2OXB6S7ad_9K_guJXGAIVPV0kG_0rEu17o/s640/NORCECA_PR_Courtney_saves_bad_pass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 5-8, Courtney Thompson is among the shortest--if most athletic--of the world's elite setters.<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the victory meant something else. Every coach of every
team sport at every level preaches the need to put team above the individual.
Kiraly, however, did more than preach, he made it a core requirement of his
program. The World Championship seemed to validate that approach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it’s really hard for people to understand,” says
Lloyd. “Because when you’re an athlete, you want the accolades, you want the
gold medal. When you’re in the gym, you’re competing against the person next to
you. To do that, you think you can’t be friends, they have to be your enemy. I
get that, because we’re supposed to see it like that. But what we’re doing instead
is trying to make the people around us be the best that they can be. And if
they’re better, that makes us better.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re all competitive—super competitive,” says Thompson,
“and we want to be out there on the court. But it’s so much bigger than that.
There’s a different level of buy-in. It’s really not just about me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
+ + +<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson headed back to Europe for another successful season
in Zurich. Last summer, she was included on the roster when USA won the <b>World Grand Prix</b>. But she was left off
the World Cup roster, and favored USA finished a disappointing third, behind <b>China</b> and <b>Serbia</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last fall, Thompson made her biggest professional move of
all. Nowhere in the world are spectators more knowledgeable or passionate about
volleyball than in Brazil. <b>Bernardo Rezende</b>,
a legendary Brazilian Olympic coach, hired Thompson as the setter for Rio de
Janeiro’s top club team, <b>Rexona Ades</b>.
She was so popular with Brazilian fans that people would stop her on the street
to talk volleyball. During home matches in Rio, the crowd chanted “USA! USA!
USA!” whenever she stood at the service. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80fGgl-b0i_AhE_31H66SQ2D4pWDHlQZYAughzg7aTA7ZAPaoYHcVID8muO47x424aBvYhZjJjiYIJlzcO2tv8K_RaWk9nKbzwUWb3TbjOEPw9xUaOlZu1bnTsAGbNLuit4O7uLhZado/s1600/Rexona_Courtney_cheer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80fGgl-b0i_AhE_31H66SQ2D4pWDHlQZYAughzg7aTA7ZAPaoYHcVID8muO47x424aBvYhZjJjiYIJlzcO2tv8K_RaWk9nKbzwUWb3TbjOEPw9xUaOlZu1bnTsAGbNLuit4O7uLhZado/s640/Rexona_Courtney_cheer.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last season, Courtney Thompson (3) was the setter for Brazil's top professional team, Rexona Ades of Rio de Janiero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was beyond stoked,” she says. “For my entire career, I’d
dreamed of playing in Brazil. It ended up teaching me so much, re-centering me,
lighting a fire.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Few American Olympians in any sport have as much recent Rio
experience as Courtney Thompson: she lived there from last fall through this
spring while competing professionally for Rio’s top club team, <b>Rexona-Ades</b>. Amid almost deadly
headlines about health and safety concerns in the tightly-packed metropolis of
more than 6 million people, Thompson says she gets a lot of questions about
what athletes and their visiting families might expect in Brazil.</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">The <b>Zika</b> virus, says
Thompson, “seems really out of our control. It is what it is. It’s not gonna
stop us.”</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Thompson says <b>personal
safety</b> can be a concern, however, and cites a time earlier this year when a
would-be mugger grabbed her arm and tried to take her cellphone. “Fortunately,”
she says, “I had tennis shoes on, and I was in better shape than him. So I
threw my arm up, got his hand off of me, then ran in the opposite direction and
outran him. And kept my phone.”</span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">That said, she expects her team to love the Rio experience. “I tell
them how wonderful the people are. It’s fun. There’s a real sense of community.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But as summer 2016 began, there seemed just as many reasons
Kiraly might include Thompson on the Rio roster as arguments he should not. The
American offense uses two setters: one to start, and one as part of a crucial
double-substitution roughly two-thirds through each game. USA’s starting
setter, Alicia Glass, had been battling back from injury, providing openings
for Carli Lloyd and for a young setter out of Missouri named <b>Molly Kreklow</b>. As June turned to July,
it was clear that Glass was once again healthy, and that Lloyd was coming on
strong. During the round-the-globe, month-long World Grand Prix, Thompson was
on the roster, but stayed mostly on the bench.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yet, Thompson on the bench is a sight to behold. After
nearly every rally, she leads the other five players not currently on the court
in raucous cheers. During timeouts, she offers advice to her fellow setters,
then focuses on a player or two for a quick pep talk, pat on the butt and/or
high-five. She’s been on the Women’s National Team for 149 matches (what the
soccer world calls “caps”,) and, at age 31, is the oldest player on the roster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve done the work,” says Thompson, “and I’ve prepared in a
way that I feel like any moment I could be on the court and competing and
helping our team win the next point. I also know that, if I’m not on the court,
there’s an opportunity to impact our team. And that’s a huge part of what I
bring. That’s me. And that’s what this team needs from me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlDYUNvj1ihMvg08MjpQF9mjQKxPhSkspcbhrN591nFiIFGd-j7OA8tX6OhF_heZfG1aGuzMp6RsWfaE0s6kOy6SYr6BLhAIw_PItSA8hfqWFNYaCbHXElPQRvLpnyAUlNUAKhJAxDNo/s1600/USA_WC_Russia_CT_Alicia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlDYUNvj1ihMvg08MjpQF9mjQKxPhSkspcbhrN591nFiIFGd-j7OA8tX6OhF_heZfG1aGuzMp6RsWfaE0s6kOy6SYr6BLhAIw_PItSA8hfqWFNYaCbHXElPQRvLpnyAUlNUAKhJAxDNo/s640/USA_WC_Russia_CT_Alicia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA Olympic setters Courtney Thompson and Alicia Glass. Carli Lloyd is the third USA Olympic setter.<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even so, more than a few eyebrows were raised when Kiraly
decided that one of the precious dozen slots on this year’s Olympic roster
should go to a third setter instead of a second libero or a fourth outside
hitter. Volleyball chat sites complained that Thompson was little more than a
cheerleader, and that Kiraly could end up regretting his decision. But Thompson’s
teammates and coaches want no part of that affront.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Courtney is a world-class setter,” says Black. “She’s an
incredible leader. Everybody leans on her and wants to learn from her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She is a force to be reckoned with,” says Glass. “She has a
positive effect on everyone. Her hard work, her passion, her energy and her
fire are absolutely necessary to this program.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Courtney,” says Kiraly, “galvanizes this team.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><b><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Court & Spark</span></b><span style="color: #c55a11; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">, an hour-long
documentary about Courtney Thompson, and featuring many of her current Olympic
teammates and coaches, has just been made available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Court-Spark-Documentary-Courtney-Thompson/dp/B01HFNVG7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468887691&sr=8-1&keywords=court+%26+spark+volleyball"><b>Amazon</b> </a>and <b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/court-spark-volleyball-documentary/id1124609501">iTunes</a></b>. (full
disclosure: Court & Spark was co-produced by Jack & Leslie Hamann). All
proceeds from the rental and sale of the documentary go to the <b>Puget Sound Region of USA Volleyball</b>, a
nonprofit serving youth, adults, indoor, sand and sitting volleyball, both
female and male.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br />
<hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span><o:p> </o:p></blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Kiraly told Lloyd she had made the Olympic cut, Lloyd
shed tears of joy. When Kiraly then asked if she had any questions, “the only
question I had for Karch was, ‘what does this mean for Courtney?’ Because I
couldn’t imagine this team without her. She’s so much more than a volleyball
player to all of us. She’s like a light, and she spreads it everywhere she
goes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About a year ago, Thompson decided she’d retire after these
Olympics, whether or not she made the roster, whether or not the team, at last,
wins gold. That said, she fully expects victory in Rio. But after her long
career, she expects something more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If there’s anything I hope people see when we compete,”
says Thompson, “it’s the joy that we’re playing with and how present we are,
despite what’s going on around us. We know who we are, we know what we stand
for. When you are fortunate enough to win while doing that, it’s just so
special. But the winning’s really a bonus. It’s just so much bigger than that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Brazil, soccer is king. Men’s soccer. The most popular
women’s sport (and second-most popular men’s sport) is volleyball. Olympic matches
will be held at iconic <b>Maracanãzinho
Arena</b>, where Rio Organizers say tickets went fast. Crowds for even the
least-desirable matchups are expected to exceed 90% of arena capacity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>USA women’s
volleyball Olympic schedule (all times Pacific)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Aug 06, 1:05PM vs. Puerto Rico</li>
<li>Aug 08, 11:00AM vs. Netherlands</li>
<li>Aug 10, 11:00AM vs. Serbia</li>
<li>Aug 12, 11:00AM vs. Italy</li>
<li>Aug 14, 1:05PM vs. China</li>
<li>Aug 16 Quarterfinals</li>
<li>Aug 18 Semifinals</li>
<li>Aug 20 Medal Finals</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-33175991714759811092016-07-27T14:56:00.000-07:002016-08-04T16:57:50.483-07:00Olympic Games | Which USA Olympians had the most collegiate success?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Two-time
Olympians Akinradewo and Thompson telegraphed their later success</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Court &
Spark now available on Amazon and iTunes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y6oFKa39aOmQs0qjd4Otev9HVMPu6Sy65s4TyrZRdoJDt-3xhmyGwqGApxuJZg9p-u836r2akPGfhLP45BJlQZyrs_0NeUfeSr1kvu2hJ-j97mk-wdBYsC2L1hFEkUJb40UQwrZJSkg/s1600/USA_WC_Russia2_CT_set_Foluke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y6oFKa39aOmQs0qjd4Otev9HVMPu6Sy65s4TyrZRdoJDt-3xhmyGwqGApxuJZg9p-u836r2akPGfhLP45BJlQZyrs_0NeUfeSr1kvu2hJ-j97mk-wdBYsC2L1hFEkUJb40UQwrZJSkg/s640/USA_WC_Russia2_CT_set_Foluke.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney Thompson (3) sets Foluke Akinradewo during a 2014 World Championships victory over Russia<br />
<i>-photo courtesy FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is there a correlation between success in college volleyball
and future Olympic glory?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a look at collegiate national honors for all 12
members of <b>USA’s Rio Olympics women’s
volleyball roster</b>. We tallied four categories: The <b>Honda Sports Player of the Year</b> (awarded to the nation’s best
volleyball player across all collegiate divisions and organizations), the <b>AVCA Player of the Year</b> (for NCAA
Division 1, where all the Olympians played), <b>AVCA First-Team All-Americans</b> and <b>NCAA D1 National Championships</b>. What did we find?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohfTyXz8jBuuiswKrZ2yrKCm3iQ__9WjfQxKvASaqKppob4gNEmZn86MXGFPA-gd-8kuoJIs8VC5hHzfgUYIyRkvv_nWJ9Ff67dWUFamZkoiSgTgCbnm9vtsSfeGNI1-ApQvVLJRKtlI/s1600/USA+WNT+Collegiate+Honors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohfTyXz8jBuuiswKrZ2yrKCm3iQ__9WjfQxKvASaqKppob4gNEmZn86MXGFPA-gd-8kuoJIs8VC5hHzfgUYIyRkvv_nWJ9Ff67dWUFamZkoiSgTgCbnm9vtsSfeGNI1-ApQvVLJRKtlI/s640/USA+WNT+Collegiate+Honors.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Two players—<b>Stanford’s</b>
<b>Foluke Akinradewo</b> and <b>Washington’s</b> <b>Courtney Thompson</b>—took home more collegiate awards than any other
current Olympians. Both were Honda Players of the Year, both were 3-time AVCA
First Team All-Americans. Akinradewo was the AVCA Player of the Year, but never
won an NCAA championship. Thompson’s Huskies won the 2005 title.</li>
<li>On the other extreme, <b>Kayla
Banwarth</b> never won any of these four honors while at <b>Nebraska</b>. Liberos are crucial to the modern game, but still don’t
get much respect.</li>
<li><b>Megan (Hodge) Easy</b>
of <b>Penn State</b> was easily the most
honored player of her generation: 2009 Honda Player of the Year, 2009 AVCA
Player of the Year, four time First Team AVCA All-American (2006-09) and three
time NCAA Champion (2007-2009). Hodge was a member of the <b>2012 London Olympic roster</b>, but battled injuries late in the Rio
quad and was not selected for 2016.</li>
<li><b>Nicole Fawcett</b>,
also of Penn State, was just a hair behind Easy in national collegiate awards.
She was the 2008 Honda and AVCA Player of the Year, a three time First Team
AVCA All-American (2006-08) and two time NCAA Champion (2007-2008). Fawcett, an
opposite, has been a key member of the National Team for the past two quads.
She just missed making either the London or Rio rosters.</li>
<li>When it’s time to look forward to the <b>2020 Tokyo Olympics</b>, the players with the most national collegiate honors
of the next generation of National Team members are Washington’s <b>Krista Vansant</b>, Penn State’s <b>Micha Hancock</b>, Wisconsin’s <b>Lauren Carlini</b> and USC’s <b>Natalie Hagglund</b>.</li>
<li>So who were the other recent Players of the Year not on the
Olympic roster?<br />2005: <b>Christiana Houghtelling</b>,
Nebraska (AVCA)<br />2006: <b>Sarah Pavan</b>, Nebraska (AVCA
& Honda) [Pavan is Canadian]<br />2010: <b>Blair Brown</b>, Penn State
(Honda)<br />2011: <b>Alex Jupiter</b>, USC (AVCA &
Honda) [Jupiter is French]<br />2012: <b>Alaina Bergsma</b>, Oregon (AVCA
& Honda)<br />2013: <b>Krista Vansant</b>, Washington
(AVCA & Honda)<br />2014: Krista Vansant, Washington (Honda) & <b>Micha Hancock</b>, Penn St (AVCA)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Who is the most honored collegian of all time? Stanford’s <b>Logan Tom</b>, a four-time Olympian (2000,
2004, 2008, 2012) was Honda POY and AVCA POY in both 2001 and 2002, and a four-time
First Team All-American (1999-2002). Stanford won the NCAA title in 2001, and
was runner-up in 1999 and 2002.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">COURT AND SPARK NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW FORMATS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDkiQL4O_1UI1606RJ6H6ECKjR0UuPzJfUbm1NiN6hiuUwJjw9eTDrChSToylbDcoy1AWQEOTyTVQeSNWFVRjZhOT1GL4B2JFkjSLra1B6i2v8fInYLDHeOB7gC48GpzQyrd1tFkWwbM/s1600/logo_COURT_SPARK_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDkiQL4O_1UI1606RJ6H6ECKjR0UuPzJfUbm1NiN6hiuUwJjw9eTDrChSToylbDcoy1AWQEOTyTVQeSNWFVRjZhOT1GL4B2JFkjSLra1B6i2v8fInYLDHeOB7gC48GpzQyrd1tFkWwbM/s400/logo_COURT_SPARK_01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
We’re happy to report that <b>Court & Spark</b>, the one-hour documentary <b>Courtney Thompson</b>, and featuring many
of her teammates and coaches, is now available for rent or purchase on both <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/court-spark-volleyball-documentary/id1124609501" target="_blank"><b>iTunes</b> </a>and <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Court-Spark-Documentary-Courtney-Thompson/dp/B01HFNVG7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468887691&sr=8-1&keywords=court+%26+spark+volleyball" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b>. All proceeds go to <b>Puget
Sound Region of USA Volleyball</b>, a nonprofit umbrella for female and male
youth, adult, indoor, sand and sitting volleyball. A great gift idea for players
who have just completed summer volleyball camp!<o:p></o:p><br />
starring <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-31159861169950547982016-07-12T18:21:00.002-07:002016-08-04T16:58:07.465-07:00Olympic Games | Karch Kiraly says Rio “will be the best volleyball Olympics ever”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">USA volleyball head
coach says team is “preparing for uncertainty”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0z_wNo1Sbc7TPDUDzxg9BCwxrbKj8t_AYW2-PyxZCTwBsCnP9Bl-_hKp22Oz1pUM8eNb4vTImz3hhOuowsTlVLHE15oy2BoBVl2qrBmRIMIMrKJG2WPa6jD3VGDOZ3AEZ2ir3UvMkHo/s1600/USA_GP_2016_Russia_smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0z_wNo1Sbc7TPDUDzxg9BCwxrbKj8t_AYW2-PyxZCTwBsCnP9Bl-_hKp22Oz1pUM8eNb4vTImz3hhOuowsTlVLHE15oy2BoBVl2qrBmRIMIMrKJG2WPa6jD3VGDOZ3AEZ2ir3UvMkHo/s640/USA_GP_2016_Russia_smiles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA head coach Karch Kiraly<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b>USA Women’s
Volleyball</b> Olympic roster was made public this morning (see: <b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2016/07/national-team-usa-volleyball-reveals.html" target="_blank">USA Volleyball reveals Rio roster</a></b>.)
This afternoon, we spent a few minutes talking with Head Coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b>, for a <i>Seattle Times </i>feature we’re preparing in
advance of the <b>Rio Olympics</b>. We
covered a lot of topics, including a few things that won’t be in the upcoming
article. We thought we’d share a few of gems that we’ll have to leave out of
the main story:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">On the timing of today’s roster announcement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b>USA Men’s Olympic
team</b> was announced three weeks ago, on June 21. Kiraly says he was advised
to name the 12 members of the women’s team as early as possible. But, he says,
injuries to one or more players made a delay inevitable. “We would have liked
to reveal our lineup earlier,” says Kiraly, “but we didn’t really have a
choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Kiraly declined to name the injured player or players,
libero <b>Kayla Banwarth</b> missed several
matches during the just-completed <b>World
Grand Prix</b>. She returned, however, for the final two matches against <b>Russia</b> and <b>Brazil</b>, and seemed to be in good form. Although USC grad <b>Natalie Hagglund</b> filled in for Banwarth
during her absence, Banwarth is the only libero on the Rio roster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">On players not selected to go to Rio<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s very difficult,” Kiraly says. “These athletes make
incredible sacrifices, and it’s hard to tell them they aren’t on the (Olympic)
roster.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Few understand the years of often-lonely commitment it takes
to be among the top 18 or so athletes in the USA gym in an Olympic year. I
asked whether players bond over that shared isolation, similar to soldiers who
realize no one but their platoon really understands what they’ve gone through. “Not
exactly,” says Kiraly. “Soldiers take everyone in their unit to the battlefield.
We don’t get to do that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">On his team’s composure<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most impressive episodes of the recent 13-match,
month-long World Grand Prix took place in a preliminary match against <b>China</b> in Hong Kong. USA served, and China
appeared to win the first point of the set. But when the wrong Chinese player
stepped up to the service line, the point was given instead to USA, and <b>Kim Hill</b> went back to serve. The match,
however, was interrupted for a discussion between the referee, the scorekeeper
and China head coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b>.
One minute turned into two, then three, then four.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the while, Hill remained calm and focused. Her teammates
were likewise relaxed … no eye-rolling, no gesturing, no displays of
irritation. The delay stretched to five minutes, six minutes. Kiraly was
certainly not happy, but he never showed it. “We know things will come up that
we’ve never seen before,” he told us. “But we will be the best we can be under
whatever stress we face. Our job is to prepare for as much uncertainty as we
can.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, after seven long minutes, the whistle blew. Hill
served. An ace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #0070c0;">On playing in Rio<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During our conversation, Kiraly was most excited when
talking about competing in Rio’s historic <b>Maracanãzinho</b>
Arena. “A volleyball cathedral,” says Kiraly. “That gym means volleyball to
anyone who know about volleyball in Brazil.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Brazil is absolutely crazy about volleyball—indoor,
outdoor, women’s men’s,” he says. “This will be the best volleyball Olympics
ever.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll have much more from Kiraly—and USA players and coaches—in
the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">COURT & SPARK
DOCUMENTARY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re happy to report that the <b>Puget Sound Region of USA Volleyball</b> will soon be releasing our
documentary, <b>Court & Spark</b>, via
several streaming services, including <b>iTunes </b>and <b>Amazon</b>.
The hour-long documentary stars two-time Olympian <b>Courtney Thompson</b>, and features several players selected to the Rio
roster, plus coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll soon pass along details about how you can order your
copy of Court & Spark. 100% of the proceeds go to Puget Sound Region of USA
Volleyball and its many youth and adult indoor and outdoor programs.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-60400276962840380932016-07-12T07:45:00.000-07:002016-08-04T16:58:21.703-07:00Olympic Games | USA Volleyball reveals Rio roster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Courtney
Thompson is now a two-time Olympian as Karch Kiraly takes three setters on his
roster</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedj2WKErCknKhw1LfkVpki3irgddc2eBNrtEQYQ2PMEP9H7_Oc8Vh9yrmdLba_A-IZhpnwapCsktXpl_GfCm6HfxRk6Kd9xqN8KBdgdlvDk47vmPPHxmlOQnWwiD4rOGaURxmLH-42PM/s1600/USA_GP_2016_Russia_celebrate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedj2WKErCknKhw1LfkVpki3irgddc2eBNrtEQYQ2PMEP9H7_Oc8Vh9yrmdLba_A-IZhpnwapCsktXpl_GfCm6HfxRk6Kd9xqN8KBdgdlvDk47vmPPHxmlOQnWwiD4rOGaURxmLH-42PM/s640/USA_GP_2016_Russia_celebrate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA women are headed to Rio with a squad that includes four two-time Olympians</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Courtney Thompson</b>
is returning to Rio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson, the most accomplished woman athlete in the history
of <b>Washington</b> athletics, was one of
12 women who made coach <b>Karch Kiraly’s</b>
final cut for the <b>2016 Olympic Games</b>
next month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the twelve women who will represent the USA in Rio:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OUTSIDE HITTERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Jordan Larson</b> (Nebraska), <b>Kim Hill</b> (Pepperdine), <b>Kelsey Robinson</b> (Tennessee/Nebraska)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">MIDDLE BLOCKERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Foluke Akinradewo</b> (Stanford), <b>Rachael Adams</b> (Texas), <b>Christa Dietzen</b> (Penn State)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OPPOSITES:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Karsta Lowe</b> (UCLA), <b>Kelly Murphy</b> (Florida)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">SETTERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Alicia Glass</b> (Penn State) <b>Courtney Thompson</b> (Washington), <b>Carli Lloyd</b> (California)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">LIBEROS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Kayla Banwarth</b> (Nebraska)</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtpdETGM376LmXwrACL7kLo7w0EhxYFilDrcQOq3n2p2z6UieS6yiS96qnmxbCucdmjNcew5mNl31GYisoPPj_CaW-rT86Yj4fuEJ8wSZ2rJUcm-rl0E4u7OKIcm4QvzhMSMDQPCZk8I/s1600/GP_2016_Japan_serving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtpdETGM376LmXwrACL7kLo7w0EhxYFilDrcQOq3n2p2z6UieS6yiS96qnmxbCucdmjNcew5mNl31GYisoPPj_CaW-rT86Yj4fuEJ8wSZ2rJUcm-rl0E4u7OKIcm4QvzhMSMDQPCZk8I/s320/GP_2016_Japan_serving.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney Thompson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four players on the Rio roster were also on the 2012 silver
medal team in London: <b>Thompson</b>, <b>Larson</b>, <b>Akinradewo</b> and <b>Dietzen</b>.
Washington’s <b>Tama Miyashiro</b>, a
libero, was also on the London roster, but was limited this Olympic quad by
injuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Former Washington All-American <b>Krista Vansant</b>, an outside hitter, is one of eight players named as USA Olympic alternates.<br />
<br />
Every player on the Olympic roster also plays professionally
for top clubs overseas. During the past quad, Thompson has been a setter in Łódź,
Poland, Zurich, Switzerland and for the top club in Rio de Janeiro. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson was on the roster when USA won its first-ever <b>World Championship</b> in 2014. USA women
have never won Olympic gold, earning silver in 1984, 2008 and 2012.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA’s first match of 2016 Olympics is August 6 against <b>Puerto Rico</b>. Other teams in USA’s pool
are <b>Netherlands</b> (August 8), <b>Serbia</b> (August 10), <b>Italy</b> (August 12) and <b>China</b> (August 14). <b>Brazil</b> and <b>Russia</b> are
among the teams in the other half of the preliminary pool.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-39736846074537644832016-07-11T10:49:00.000-07:002016-07-30T23:11:14.001-07:00National Team | Can Bangkok silver lead to Rio Gold?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">USA drops World
Grand Prix gold medal match to Brazil as USA prepares to name its Rio roster;
four players—including Courtney Thompson—in the running for the final two
roster spots</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 10 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Germany 3-0 (25-15,
25-17, 25-12)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 11 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Thailand 3-0 (25-21,
29-27, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 12 | Ningbo, China | China def. USA 3-1 (25-20, 25-19,
15-25, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 17 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Germany 3-1 (25-17.
24-26, 25-10, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 18 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Japan 3-0 (25-16,
25-23, 25-21)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 19 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Turkey 3-0 (25-21,
25-20, 25-16)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 24 | Hong Kong | USA def. Germany 3-0 (25-19, 25-22,
30-28)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 24 | Hong Kong | USA def. Netherlands 3-1 (26-24,
19-25, 25-17, 25-20)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 26 | Hong Kong | USA def. China 3-0 (25-19, 25-21,
25-17)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">July 6 | Bangkok | USA def. Netherlands 3-0 (25-21, 25-17,
25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">July 8 | Bangkok | USA def. China 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-22)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">July 9 | Bangkok | USA def. Russia 3-0 (25-20, 25-23,
25-14)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">July 10 | Bangkok | Brazil def. USA 3-2 (18-25, 25-17,
25-23, 22-25, 15-9)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIbLS5BF8SEr7gEMa7nKoOQtjomY_i1OY2mC4WA3fGhK8d-NAZySZ4O_wt19Em52SfwW-nPLlqO3CEaBhc5kX6NdaQyNhz_M78N5Ls2OAeUBG7FKirzsiXC6KnTxVzcyeM2sXHjIX-x8/s1600/GP_2016_Brazil_attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIbLS5BF8SEr7gEMa7nKoOQtjomY_i1OY2mC4WA3fGhK8d-NAZySZ4O_wt19Em52SfwW-nPLlqO3CEaBhc5kX6NdaQyNhz_M78N5Ls2OAeUBG7FKirzsiXC6KnTxVzcyeM2sXHjIX-x8/s640/GP_2016_Brazil_attack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA middle Foluke Akinradewo attacks over Brazil's FeGaray in the 2016 World Grand Prix Finals.<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, the wait is almost over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After finishing 11-2 to earn the silver medal in the annual <b>World Grand Prix</b>, the <b>USA Women’s National Team</b> seems to have
all but two slots on its <b>Olympic</b>
roster filled. Setter <b>Courtney Thompson</b>—a
2012 London Olympian and former <b>Washington</b>
All-American—appears to be among four players competing for those last two
roster spots. Head coach <b>Karch Kiraly</b>
has until Sunday to announce his Olympic team, but the decision may come as
early as tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the ten who seem to be locks:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OUTSIDE HITTERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Jordan Larson</b> (Nebraska), <b>Kim Hill</b> (Pepperdine), <b>Kelsey Robinson</b> (Tennessee/Nebraska)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">MIDDLE BLOCKERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Foluke Akinradewo</b> (Stanford), <b>Rachael Adams</b> (Texas), <b>Christa Dietzen</b> (Penn State)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">OPPOSITES:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Karsta Lowe</b> (UCLA), <b>Kelly Murphy</b> (Florida)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">SETTERS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Alicia Glass</b> (Penn State)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">LIBEROS:</span></b><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span><b>Kayla Banwarth</b> (Nebraska)</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least one of the two remaining players will be a setter,
either <b>Thompson</b> or Cal alum <b>Carli Lloyd</b>. Lloyd struggled with
injuries for most of the quad, and didn’t get her first significant playing
time with the first team until the World Grand Prix. Most of her action was in
the double-substitution, when a setter and opposite rotate in for three service
rotations roughly two-thirds the way through a set, allowing USA to go nine
straight rotations with three front-row hitters. Lloyd performed respectably, even
as her serving was erratic and her sets to the outside were often higher and
slower than USA has been running this quad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thompson saw very little action in the Grand Prix, though
the fact that Kiraly kept her on the roster may be telling. Starting setter Glass
had injury issues of her own last year, and Lloyd may have been auditioning in
case Glass was unavailable for Rio. Glass, however, seemed in good shape, even
if she, too, is a mediocre server and had a poor blocking performance against
Brazil in the World Grand Prix Finals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At age 31, Thompson is the oldest player still on the
roster, and has been the heart and soul of the USA squad for the past four
years. In a sport where the smallest things make the difference when top teams
square off in major competitions, Thompson’s ability to keep the team fired up
and engaged could make the difference in Rio. Her most recent professional
season was with Rio’s top team, where her height (5-8) was no real
disadvantage. <b>See: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/sports/olympics/an-american-in-rio-learns-from-the-volleyball-enemy.html" target="_blank">An American Olympian Prepares, on the Enemy’s Turf (New York Times)</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After either Thompson or Lloyd fill the second setter spot,
Kiraly will be faced with three choices: take a third setter, take a second
libero or take a fourth outside hitter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We already know that USA will only take two opposites—Lowe
and Murphy—after veteran <b>Nicole Fawcett</b>
(Penn State) was cut two weeks ago (a crushing blow that Fawcett handled with
incredible grace.) In the middle, <b>Rachael
Adams</b> has performed so well that there is no talk at all about bringing a
fourth MB.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In many ways, the decision depends on libero <b>Kayla Banwarth’s</b> health. Banwarth was
injured during the Grand Prix—reportedly a concussion—but her replacement, USC
alum <b>Natalie Hagglund</b>, struggled
mightily with her serve receive. By Saturday, Banwarth was back and looking
like her old self, but question marks inevitably remain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Hagglund does not make the roster, then Robinson could be
called upon to wear the libero jersey in a pinch. That, however, might leave
USA exposed if only Larson and Hill were left at OH. In that scenario, Kiraly
might spend a few minutes considering <b>Michelle
Bartsch</b> (Illinois) for the final roster spot. Bartsch, like Lloyd, has not
seen first-team court time until this year’s Grand Prix, though she did well
during her limited play over the weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, it’s possible that Kiraly could take three setters—unusual,
but not unprecedented. The double-substitution has been a mainstay of the USA
offense for at least six years, but it depends on having at least two healthy
setters on the roster. If Glass went down with an injury in Rio, it would be
mighty tough for either Thompson or Lloyd to win gold on their own. But
together, they just might do it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fPct_I1gkwP4ZEsjFkbEWu2sK_MXqPTnvYP_uAFAupsmfE99s6XpsYR6iVt1wDMZ8N1asEFf3CASe9wVREiK-TGYnHWlWYaDJFILQaMk2oCnAcOXgbcdJWfshhZdB-4aqcRN-EJVaRQ/s1600/GP_2016_Brazil_celebration_gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fPct_I1gkwP4ZEsjFkbEWu2sK_MXqPTnvYP_uAFAupsmfE99s6XpsYR6iVt1wDMZ8N1asEFf3CASe9wVREiK-TGYnHWlWYaDJFILQaMk2oCnAcOXgbcdJWfshhZdB-4aqcRN-EJVaRQ/s640/GP_2016_Brazil_celebration_gold.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brazilian players celebrate their 3-2 win over USA to take the 2016 World Grand Prix gold medal in Bangkok.<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #7f6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F6000; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Throughout the quad, <b>Kiraly</b>
had one player in his gym who could fill in at every position except middle—<b>Stanford</b> alum <b>Cassidy Lichtman</b>. Lichtman, however, was cut two weeks ago,
and—like Fawcett—was an absolute class act on the way out. Look for Lichtman on
the sidelines next season as a Stanford assistant.</li>
<li>In Bangkok, <b>Brazil’s</b>
post-match celebration induced a queasy déjà vu for USA fans. No one celebrates
a victory quite as wildly as the Brazilians, and it was something USA was
forced to watch after losing the gold medal matches in both the <b>2008 Beijing</b> Olympics and the <b>2012 London</b> Games.</li>
<li>Only four players from the 2012 London roster remain in
contention for Rio: <b>Thompson</b>, <b>Larson</b>, <b>Akinradewo</b> and <b>Dietzen</b>.
None of those players were on the 2008 team.</li>
<li>In the World Grand Prix gold medal match, USA’s serving—usually
a strength—was its most glaring weakness. Except for <b>Hill</b>, most of the lineup struggled, even the usually-reliable <b>Akinradewo</b> and <b>Adams</b>. By the fifth set, USA was serving lollipops, which Brazilian
setter <b>Dani Lins</b> happily turned into
quick kills through her middles.</li>
<li>For some reason, <b>Kiraly</b>
started <b>Glass</b> on the front row
against Brazil. On the one hand, it allowed Kiraly to have <b>Akinradewo</b> absolutely school <b>Fe
Garay</b> on slides. But Brazil’s outsides feasted on Glass’s blocking. To make
it worse, Glass seemed reluctant to set <b>Murphy</b>
in the back row.</li>
<li>Before anyone reads too much from the World Grand Prix
results, know that—in Olympic years—coaches use the Grand Prix to experiment
(like starting <b>Glass</b> in the front
row.) <b>Serbia</b> did not qualify for the
WGP Final round, but should be a force in Rio. And <b>China</b> left most of its stars—and head coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b>—at home for the Final Round, after hosting the
first three rounds in its own time zone. USA, by contrast, had to make three
grueling cross-Pacific round trips in five weeks.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-52069753597277508032016-06-20T16:17:00.000-07:002016-07-12T09:14:30.607-07:00National Team | USA women passing less than perfect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #833c0b; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">USA adds three
more World Grand Prix wins, but serve receive a sticking point; Pac-12 schedule
is released</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 10 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Germany 3-0 (25-15,
25-17, 25-12)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 11 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Thailand 3-0 (25-21,
29-27, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 12 | Ningbo, China | China def. USA 3-1 (25-20, 25-19,
15-25, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 17 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Germany 3-1 (25-17.
24-26, 25-10, 25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 18 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Japan 3-0 (25-16,
25-23, 25-21)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 19 | Long Beach, CA | USA def. Turkey 3-0 (25-21,
25-20, 25-16)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 24 | Hong Kong | USA vs. Germany | 3:30AM (Pacific)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 24 | Hong Kong | USA vs. Netherlands | 10:15PM
(Pacific)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #833c0b;">June 26 | Hong Kong | USA @ China | 12:45AM (Pacific)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt_6Vq0DU6xrx37TUdo9kMkll_ToDNTt4CfiIr9VcVL0o8pJC1YVzguepAROaJQqQ42DN1TX0AAQcRvRGpKkEHGgD8O4YBAtz5SXr678iIUuQwrY7IeHxUwX4qHPZlZ9XxgxONl9UEXQ/s1600/WGP_2016_Germany2_passing_knees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt_6Vq0DU6xrx37TUdo9kMkll_ToDNTt4CfiIr9VcVL0o8pJC1YVzguepAROaJQqQ42DN1TX0AAQcRvRGpKkEHGgD8O4YBAtz5SXr678iIUuQwrY7IeHxUwX4qHPZlZ9XxgxONl9UEXQ/s320/WGP_2016_Germany2_passing_knees.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA outside hitter Kelsey Robinson had an off night<br />
passing against Turkey<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tens of thousands of kids and teens will soon be heading to summer
volleyball camps all around the country. Among the first skills they’ll practice
is passing. And for most newcomers, nothing could be more boring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turns out—as most coaches will tell you—passing may be
volleyball’s most important skill. With just weeks before the start of the
Summer <b>Olympics</b> in <b>Rio</b> <b>de Janeiro</b>, <b>USA’s Women’s
National Team</b> will likely be practicing passing just as much as those
summer camp kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night in <b>Long
Beach</b>, USA struggled to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-16) win over <b>Turkey</b>, bringing the Americans’ record
to 5-1 in the month-long <b>2016 World
Grand Prix</b>. Throughout the match, sloppy passing all but nullified USA’s
considerable age and experience. Here are a few observations about the World
Grand Prix’s second weekend:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">USA’S OUTSIDE
HITTER DEPTH IS WORTH WATCHING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we talk about poor passing, we’re talking about outside
hitters, the players responsible for all but a handful of serve receptions. 33
of Turkey’s serves were directed at <b>Kelsey
Robinson</b>, who was aced only once, but sent her setters scrambling on 14 poor
passes. The other two serve receivers—outside hitter <b>Jordan Larson</b> and libero <b>Kayla
Banwarth</b>—had perfect passes on all but two attempts each.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robinson is a generally solid player, but has a tendency to
shrink under pressure. Against Turkey, she had 12 kills and 3 errors in 26 attempts,
respectable numbers (bolstered, frankly, by Larson’s great passing.) But on
many occasions, Robinson tips (often unconvincingly) when she might be better
attacking opponents’ hands for a tool attempt. She too often sends across maddeningly
easy free balls in situations where she could jump and swing instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Larson had a solid weekend, and will clearly be USA’s top
outside in Rio. The OH2 will be <b>Kim Hill</b>,
who sometimes has passing issues of her own, but is a far more dominant hitter
and blocker than Robinson. That’s a strong duo, and USA may not have to dig any
deeper against top tier Olympic opponents in Rio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That said, Robinson has probably locked up the third outside
spot on the Rio roster, leaving questions about a fourth Olympic OH. In two
weekends of Grand Prix play, head coach <b>Karch
Kiraly</b> has included 3 outside hitters and 3 setters on his 14-player
roster; the norm is 4 and 2, respectively. As USA heads to Hong Kong for the
third preliminary round this weekend, look to see whether Kiraly includes <b>Megan Easy</b> this time. Easy is a
spectacular hitter whose Achilles heel has been … passing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">ADAMS AND
FAWCETT MADE STATEMENTS IN LONG BEACH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3K4GNjRs1-RnmR4vv1SdM7XpYI9WOObwsHV0BlnIFzDO7IjCzJ_Zt3r9YeRM6YD9xlfoanwfTlknkHcofMrZVgbWB0o93OA6zApxTcy51bobqJgfgjHzNbUrrotXjw8pzNHTWeoVKfI/s1600/WGP_2016_Japan_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3K4GNjRs1-RnmR4vv1SdM7XpYI9WOObwsHV0BlnIFzDO7IjCzJ_Zt3r9YeRM6YD9xlfoanwfTlknkHcofMrZVgbWB0o93OA6zApxTcy51bobqJgfgjHzNbUrrotXjw8pzNHTWeoVKfI/s320/WGP_2016_Japan_cheer.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA middle blocker Rachael Adams had a<br />
big weekend in Long Beach<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Rachael Adams</b> has
rarely been in USA’s middle blocker conversation this quad, but now seemed
poised to grab the MB3 slot in Rio. With <b>Foluke
Akinradewo</b> and <b>Christa Dietzen</b> the
obvious top two, Adams has had a marvelous Grand Prix so far. She’s mature and
disciplined, and has shown all the physical tools necessary to beat out <b>Lauren Gibbemeyer</b> and <b>Lauren Paolini</b> for Rio’s third middle
roster spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Turkey match was the first time in six Grand Prix
contests that veteran opposite <b>Nicole
Fawcett</b> has been in the lineup. As usual, she excelled. That’s no surprise
to those who’ve been watching the three-way battle between Fawcett, <b>Karsta Lowe</b> and <b>Kelly Murphy</b> for what may be just two opposite positions in Rio.
More than once, we’ve wondered whether Kiraly might take three opposites and
three outsides instead of the usual 4 and 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">DON’T PANIC,
THOMPSON FAN</span></b><b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">S</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At age 31, setter <b>Courtney
Thompson</b> is the senior member of the Women’s National Team. The former <b>Washington</b> All-American has spent much
of the past decade exceeding expectations, which includes overcoming naysayers
who think her Olympic days are behind her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VJRwfi2jX7osjjRLlBUcAa1JLB4kDfediR4Fwlhh48Cq-AFfpdHGGnfPkw_3dik4uZAFQ0z9ptwrfff2AHardlzytgzT2mMjvIPd4QvNyo0yaTN4wj_Ox2wTAKW0EfamO2_j3miIXMU/s1600/WGP_2016_Germany2_serving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VJRwfi2jX7osjjRLlBUcAa1JLB4kDfediR4Fwlhh48Cq-AFfpdHGGnfPkw_3dik4uZAFQ0z9ptwrfff2AHardlzytgzT2mMjvIPd4QvNyo0yaTN4wj_Ox2wTAKW0EfamO2_j3miIXMU/s400/WGP_2016_Germany2_serving.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA setter Courtney Thompson serves against<br />
Germany at the World Grand Prix<br />
<i>-photo by FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If <b>Alicia Glass</b> stays
healthy, Glass will surely secure one of two setter spots in Rio. Throughout
this year’s Grand Prix, Kiraly has given <b>Carli
Lloyd</b> a long look as both a starter (in last week’s loss to <b>China</b>) and as the primary double-substitution
setter in rotations 9, 10 & 11. The question remains: is Lloyd—who has little
National Team experience—the standby in case Glass can’t go to Rio? Or is she
competing against Thompson for the number two slot?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frankly, only Kiraly and his staff know the answer. But
Thompson is an extraordinary asset, the emotional leader of the team, whether
or not she’s in the lineup. She has Olympic experience—and played the entire
match in an elimination round victory in <b>London</b>
in <b>2012</b>. She’s also just spent a
year leading Rio’s top professional team to the Brazilian championship, so she
knows Rio and Brazil’s Olympians as well as anyone. In case you haven’t <b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2016/03/national-team-olympian-courtney.html" target="_blank">heard</a></b>,
Thompson was wildly popular with Rio’s sophisticated volleyball fans—the home
arena echoed with chants of “USA! USA!” each time she approached the service
line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 12 athletes on the Rio roster will likely be named in
the next 10 days or so. Don’t count out Courtney Thompson.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Be sure to check out last weekend’s <b>New York Times’</b> profile, <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/sports/olympics/karch-kiraly-usa-womens-volleyball-team.html" target="_blank">Karch Kiraly now setting up US Women’s volleyball team to succeed</a></b>. If you’ve seen
our documentary, <b>Court & Spark</b>,
you’ll recognize several items first reported in that film. The article
includes quotes from three of those featured in Court & Spark, <b>Kiraly</b>, <b>Courtney Thompson</b>, and <b>Marv
Dunphy</b>. And a heads-up … Court & Spark will soon be available on major
streaming services.</li>
<li>The size of the crowds at <b>Long Beach State’s Pyramid Arena</b> fluctuated wildly over the
weekend, from full-to-the-rafters Saturday night to rattling-around-an-vacant-pavilion
Sunday. Yesterday’s embarrassing emptiness may have been a confluence of
triple-digit temperatures outside and competition from the NBA Finals Game 7. But
it also raises questions about lost opportunities playing so many matches this
quad in Southern California. We’re looking at you, <b>University of Washington</b> and <b>Seattle
Sports Commission</b>. Remember that sold-out <b>2013 NCAA Final Four</b> in Seattle? It’s time to place a few calls to
sponsor USA Volleyball exhibitions and FIVB tournaments for the next quad, when
former UW star <b>Krista Vansant</b> will
be in the mix for the <b>2020</b> Olympic
roster in <b>Tokyo</b>.</li>
<li>The USA/Turkey match was the first time in six contests that
<b>NBC Sports’ streaming broadcast</b>
included commentators. Former Olympian <b>Paul
Sunderland</b> was, as usual, highly entertaining and opinionated. Former <b>Stanford</b> coach <b>Don Shaw</b> did fine, though Sunderland’s usual partner, <b>Kevin Barnett</b>, invariably adds better
insight. Sadly, too few FIVB matches include commentary, a real hurdle to
volleyball’s appeal to a larger audience.</li>
<li>The <b>Pac-12</b>
released its <b>2016 volleyball schedule</b>.
The big headline for <b>Washington</b>: its
second conference match is at <b>USC</b>,
and its third is home against <b>Stanford</b>.
Thanks to the Pac-12’s unbalanced schedule, Washington fans will not see USC at
Alaska Airlines Arena this season. The Huskies play four Wednesday conference matches
and six Sunday matches, two days of the week that have traditionally drawn
small crowds, particularly when the Seahawks are on television. In one stretch,
UW plays three road matches in six nights, and four in eight.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
8/27 @ James
Madison Harrisonburg, VA<br />
8/28 vs. American
University Harrisonburg, VA<br />
9/1 @ Seattle U<br />
9/2 Idaho<br />
9/2 Villanova<br />
9/9 vs. Utah
Valley Honolulu<br />
9/10 vs. Northern
Illinois Honolulu<br />
9/11 @ Hawai’i Honolulu<br />
9/15 vs. Maryland Los Angeles<br />
9/16 vs. Oklahoma Los Angeles<br />
9/21 Washington
St<br />
9/23 @ USC<br />
9/28 Stanford<br />
9/29 California<br />
10/7 @ Oregon<br />
10/9 @ Oregon St<br />
10/14 Utah<br />
10/16 Colorado<br />
10/21 @ Arizona St<br />
10/23 @ Arizona<br />
10/26 @ Stanford<br />
10/28 @ California<br />
11/4 Oregon<br />
11/6 Oregon St<br />
11/10 Arizona<br />
11/13 Arizona St<br />
11/18 @ Colorado<br />
11/20 @ Utah<br />
11/23 UCLA<br />
11/26 @ Washington
St</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-3191970461729668162016-06-14T14:58:00.000-07:002016-06-22T14:23:01.330-07:00National Team | Do bad calls balance out? USA and China exchange video challenges<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Playing at home,
China wins the first of what could be a trio of World Grand Prix matchups</span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 10 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Germany 3-0 (25-15, 25-17,
25-12)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 11 | Ningbo, China | USA def. Thailand 3-0 (25-21, 29-27,
25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 12 | Ningbo, China | China def. USA 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 15-25,
25-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 17 | Long Beach, CA | Germany @ USA | 7:10PM</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 18 | Long Beach, CA | Japan @ USA | 7:10PM</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #843c0c;">June 19 | Long Beach, CA | Turkey @ USA | 5:10PM</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7xDUcLVFBsVa0qL-TfL1TSkC-5gG3mpVGTWU7orl39a20jFVQy0Ur1xOGJgFgqoFtqdxRWx__yK1GjXZT8GdFJgmF_jP-BCwHDdL7duWSLv4rdDHe5k3Xbm1gO6_S8AmioyqaWnwqkA/s1600/USAsCarliLloydreceivesinstructionfromcoachKarchKiraly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7xDUcLVFBsVa0qL-TfL1TSkC-5gG3mpVGTWU7orl39a20jFVQy0Ur1xOGJgFgqoFtqdxRWx__yK1GjXZT8GdFJgmF_jP-BCwHDdL7duWSLv4rdDHe5k3Xbm1gO6_S8AmioyqaWnwqkA/s640/USAsCarliLloydreceivesinstructionfromcoachKarchKiraly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USA head coach Karch Kiraly (R) listens to setter Carli Lloyd<br />
<i>-photo courtesy FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bad calls tend to balance out. The final two points of <b>China’s</b> 3-1 home court <b>World Grand Prix</b> first round victory
over <b>USA</b> seemed to prove that point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With USA trailing 24-22 in the fourth set, the line judge
called <b>Kelly Murphy’s</b> serve long. As
China’s players celebrated, USA coach <b>Karch
Kiraly</b> asked for a video replay. The serve, it turned out, was definitively
in, changing the score to 24-23.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the subsequent rally, <b>Zhang Changning’s</b> attack sailed long, tying the score. This time,
however, China coach <b>Jenny Lang Ping</b>
challenged. The dark, grainy video seemed to show that the attack at grazed <b>Foluke Akinradewo’s</b> index finger. Point
and match, China.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All told, Kiraly issued four challenges throughout the match.
All four were upheld, giving USA an otherwise lost point each time. Lang Ping also initiated four
challenges of her own; three were upheld. By that measure, the adage about bad calls
balancing seems just about right. It’s telling, however, that two of the seven
overturned calls came at match point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ2poIejF1WbHt04FtCgLJDBZg5mhOC-gMZ2-yuywSEbkifELjHvp7gs4TKU-W2Gb6AQsL9FmQ1d8FqCkBVWleq9HuVEK9QUvwB6XqVUZQkKjyEVjHKCwJo-jB_rgHEO7Rq1ZiwmH89s/s1600/WGP_2016_China_01_first_ref_Italian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ2poIejF1WbHt04FtCgLJDBZg5mhOC-gMZ2-yuywSEbkifELjHvp7gs4TKU-W2Gb6AQsL9FmQ1d8FqCkBVWleq9HuVEK9QUvwB6XqVUZQkKjyEVjHKCwJo-jB_rgHEO7Rq1ZiwmH89s/s640/WGP_2016_China_01_first_ref_Italian.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First referee Simone Santi of Italy officiates the USA/China match in Ningbo, China<br />
<i>-photo courtesy FIVB</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The World Grand Prix is an annual four-week globetrotting marathon,
sending the world’s best teams around the planet fighting jet
lag and top competition. China’s home court win in the third of nine
preliminary matches was not an upset, but it’s not necessarily a preview of the
<b>Rio Olympics</b>, where USA, <b>Brazil</b>, China, <b>Russia</b> and <b>Serbia</b> all
have a shot at gold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Grand Prix is the only 2016 major pre-Olympic tournament, as
coaches around the world try to determine which 12 players will make their Rio roster. Kiraly has
16-18 athletes still in the running, and will try different combinations
throughout June before settling on his final dozen. Here’s what we learned the
first weekend:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">SETTERS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kiraly took three setters to Ningbo: <b>Courtney Thompson</b>, <b>Alisha Glass</b>
and <b>Carli Lloyd</b>. Lloyd was the
player under the microscope this weekend. The former <b>Cal</b> All-American has rarely made the cut for major tournament
rosters. Lloyd plays good defense and is an adequate server, but her sets to outside
hitters tended to be very high, and her backsets to right-side hitters were
often off the mark. Usual starter Glass has battled injuries throughout the
quad; Lloyd may be in the mix if Glass is unavailable for Rio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">OPPOSITES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the past four summers, three opposites have taken turns
as the go-to hitters in USA’s offense: <b>Kelly
Murphy</b>, <b>Karsta Lowe</b> and <b>Nicole Fawcett</b>. Murphy and Lowe were in
Ningbo, and Lowe seemed to have the advantage. She is punishing from the back
row, and was often the one hitter able to stop long opponent rallies. Fawcett,
however, was the hottest opposite of 2015, and the decision about which two of
the three candidates will be in Rio may be Kiraly’s toughest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">OUTSIDES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jordan Larson</b>, <b>Kim Hill</b> and <b>Kelsey Robinson</b> were in Ningbo. None had a spectacular weekend,
though Larson showed flashes of the skills that have made her one of the world’s
most successful professional players. Robinson brings energy, but can be
erratic. Unlike Lowe, who pounds the ball at every opportunity, Robinson tends
to revert to tips when she’s under pressure, not always to good effect. Barring
injury, Larson, Hill, Robinson and <b>Megan
Easy</b> should all be on the Rio roster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">MIDDLES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Foluke Akinradewo</b>
is the best middle in the world, as China would surely agree. USA captain <b>Christa Dietzen</b>, battling injuries this
quad, is a fiery and powerful leader when she has to be. But the third middle
in Rio is far from certain. <b>Rachael
Adams</b>, <b>Lauren Gibbemeyer</b> and <b>Lauren Paolini</b> seemed to be the
candidates when <b>Tori Dixon</b> went down
with an injury, but along came <b>Alexis
Crimes</b>. The 30-year-old pro out of Long Beach State convinced Kiraly she
deserved a closer look, and her Ningbo performance was impressive. There’s a
chance she could sneak in. (see: <b><a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/Alexis-Crimes-Earns-Rare-2nd-Chance-With-US-Volleyball-Team-380724261.html" target="_blank">Alexis Crimes Earns Rare 2nd Chance</a></b>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #2f5496; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">LIBEROS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kayla Banwarth</b>
has been USA’s libero throughout the quad, and saw all the playing time in Ningbo.
<b>Natalie Hagglund</b> was on the Ningbo
roster, but both she and <b>Tama Miyashiro</b>
will have to hope Kiraly decides to take two liberos to Rio, instead of a third
opposite or a fourth middle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This weekend, USA hosts the second weekend of preliminary
World Grand Prix play at <b>Long Beach</b>,
against <b>Germany</b>, <b>Japan</b> and <b>Turkey</b>. The following weekend, they’ll head back across the Pacific
to <b>Hong</b> <b>Kong</b>, where they’ll face <b>Netherlands</b>,
<b>Germany</b> (for a third time) and a
rematch with <b>China</b>. Five team will
join host <b>Thailand</b> in the final
round, where USA and China could meet for a third time in four weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #843c0c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #843C0C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">NOTES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>As faithful <i>Volleyblog </i>readers know, Leslie’s brother, <b>Craig Buck</b>, was critically injured last
October when his bicycle collided with a pickup truck. We’re happy to report
that progress has been steady, if slow. As a few of you know, we’ve made
several adjustments to our lives and schedules, which will directly affect our
<i>Volleyblog </i>posts in the months to come. We hope to bring you our take on the
USA women’s team throughout the summer, and will keep you informed of our plans
as the fall collegiate season gets underway. Thanks for your patience, and stay
tuned.</li>
<li>Serving and passing makes all the difference at every level of the game. In the weekend’s first match, USA served and passed <b>Germany</b> off the court, spurring a rout
in each set. But <b>Thailand</b>, USA’s
second opponent, kept the score close thanks to mastery of both skills. Ultimately, it
was USA’s superior height and power—especially from <b>Karsta Lowe</b>—that helped the Americans prevail against the Thais.
The Chinese, however, matched USA’s height, and likely prevailed in the match
because they won the serve-and-pass game.</li>
<li>We started today’s post by focusing on the heavy use of
video challenges at the international level. Fans of the <b>Pac-12</b>—and critics of recent controversial officials’ calls—should
soon see video challenges in effect during conference games. The technology is
expensive and incomplete, but it should make for some interesting conversations
…</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-55376896013108899972016-03-15T19:59:00.001-07:002016-07-25T07:27:48.390-07:00National Team | Olympian Courtney Thompson featured in New York Times <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX208541277" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{3e87ca1e-5eb1-4760-b5e1-7f69ff0e88d1}{133}" paraid="1976461252" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX208541277" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Profile of USA setter as she wows Brazilian teammates and fans in Rio</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{3e87ca1e-5eb1-4760-b5e1-7f69ff0e88d1}{133}" paraid="1976461252" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX208541277" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thompson also featured in Volleyball Magazine story</span><span class="EOP SCX208541277" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX208541277" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{5bb3d153-3311-4b52-aaf1-d48cd39f88cb}{169}" paraid="1327815182" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX208541277" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "segoe ui", tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80aSOIDx4XETHpcAqCnxypucaM1USoeOZil6sHeyJJ347vV-iUsgLF3zEdE9JuexThTkRM01AH9FBBcQqY5j-YKXYxZQ1JePuv5YhyjJoU1h2Fz3T69JGBRJWm7QGL64ryoeXjavLl_E/s1600/Rexona_Courtney_NYT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80aSOIDx4XETHpcAqCnxypucaM1USoeOZil6sHeyJJ347vV-iUsgLF3zEdE9JuexThTkRM01AH9FBBcQqY5j-YKXYxZQ1JePuv5YhyjJoU1h2Fz3T69JGBRJWm7QGL64ryoeXjavLl_E/s640/Rexona_Courtney_NYT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text" style="color: #666666; font-family: , "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16.25px; line-height: 21.25px;">The American setter Courtney Thompson, rear, trains in Rio de Janeiro under Bernardo Rezende, left, who coached Brazil’s national women’s team for a decade.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: , "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16.25px; line-height: 21.25px;"></span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder" style="color: #999999; display: inline-block; font-family: , "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 0.6875rem; line-height: 1rem;"><span class="visually-hidden" style="border: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Credit</span>Ana Carolina Fernandes for The New York Times</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{5bb3d153-3311-4b52-aaf1-d48cd39f88cb}{173}" paraid="1013144100" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX208541277" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{c974c2c7-ffa3-4458-9e3f-77e77c2f7327}{153}" paraid="2110976634" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
</div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{c974c2c7-ffa3-4458-9e3f-77e77c2f7327}{153}" paraid="2110976634" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX208541277" paraeid="{c974c2c7-ffa3-4458-9e3f-77e77c2f7327}{153}" paraid="2110976634" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">Today's New York Times features an extended<b> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/sports/olympics/an-american-in-rio-learns-from-the-volleyball-enemy.html" target="_blank">profile </a></b>of USA Olympic setter Courtney Thompson. A must-read for volleyball fans. An excerpt:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">"Walking around the streets, it's very different than the U.S.," Thompson said. "People will say, "Hey, Courtney! You're the American! How's it going? I sat down at a restaurant the other night and the guy across from me, a Brazilian guy, said: 'Courtney, good to see you. How's the season?' You don't ever get that in the U.S. And the level of play? I'm playing with half their national team."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">Read the entire feature: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/sports/olympics/an-american-in-rio-learns-from-the-volleyball-enemy.html" target="_blank"><b>An American Olympian prepares, on the enemy's turf</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">And don't miss our latest <b>Volleyball Magazine</b> feature: <b><a href="http://www.volleyballmag.com/articles/43795-karch-s-big-dilemma" target="_blank">Karch's big dilemma</a></b>. We profile the three women fighting for the two opposite hitter positions on this summer's Olympic roster. Courtney is a big part of the story, as you'll see.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-88100225496738518042016-02-01T17:03:00.000-08:002016-06-22T14:23:37.456-07:00National Team | Courtney Thompson adds another volleyball medal to her collection <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{134}" paraid="1646724299" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Updates on former Washington stars Thompson, Miyashiro, Hagglund, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sanders, Barfield, Vansant, Nelson and Perry</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;">[02.12.16 7:15AM PT |CORRECTS previous team for Jesse Mahoney; 02.01.16 6:20PM PT | CORRECTS teams and teammates for Jenna Hagglund and Krista Vansant]</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{140}" paraid="1374069380" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFUoWGDlT9xHfLUpgjc_7kX2JBSAunqxi7NbEJxi9JzjHXEs7s9-HP_MCHEpVmCXf0e2ruRpDci3JzgoFMPQbLnbbCUtfzTwmh_n6w59FcJufzc1tgriP8Xbx0tvwmu_580y4lJF0-Wo/s1600/Rexona_Courtney_cheer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFUoWGDlT9xHfLUpgjc_7kX2JBSAunqxi7NbEJxi9JzjHXEs7s9-HP_MCHEpVmCXf0e2ruRpDci3JzgoFMPQbLnbbCUtfzTwmh_n6w59FcJufzc1tgriP8Xbx0tvwmu_580y4lJF0-Wo/s640/Rexona_Courtney_cheer.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtney Thompson (3) celebrates with her Rexona-Ades teammates</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{145}" paraid="589766233" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">In the decade since she first turned pro, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Courtney Thompson</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> has earned more medals and trophies than she literally knows what to do with. With so much success playing with teams in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, she once intentionally </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">left an oversized </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">award behind to lighten her load on her busy international schedule.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{147}" paraid="2009331019" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{150}" paraid="1244116943" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Even so, each accolade offers further evidence that Thompson is the best female athlete the University of </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Washington </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">has ever produced. Her latest gold medal hung around her neck over the weekend, as Thompson and her </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rexona-Ades</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Rio de Janeiro) teammates won the </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brazil Cup</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, defeating fellow </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Superliga </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">powerhouse Beach </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18).</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{192299bb-3d5a-4212-bf96-4f4ee7540a19}{47}" paraid="872358034" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{192299bb-3d5a-4212-bf96-4f4ee7540a19}{52}" paraid="1903865383" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Everywhere she goes, Thompson brings success. She's proved herself in Switzerland, Puerto Rico and Poland, and continues to make a mark in Brazil, easily the most volleyball-mad nation on earth. In the pressure cooker of the city hosting this year's Olympics, and playing for Brazil's legendary </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Bernardinho</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Thompson has led her team to the top of Brazil's premiere pro league standings.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{808bd676-659d-438b-bad3-1ba0149e0506}{213}" paraid="965456351" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg_NC8RtoieRlL4vvLDluy6psbmZz_D4KdZaya0wYBrk709wZ3fNh7AH2AHsXWQNiGEHiesuydsKifIpD8-x50f9tcC5rJfuJK8pEKPmhz1SnIKV4d5ItyVruzDYJND0YyCvfiEnrYL0/s1600/Rexona_Courtney_Brazil_Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg_NC8RtoieRlL4vvLDluy6psbmZz_D4KdZaya0wYBrk709wZ3fNh7AH2AHsXWQNiGEHiesuydsKifIpD8-x50f9tcC5rJfuJK8pEKPmhz1SnIKV4d5ItyVruzDYJND0YyCvfiEnrYL0/s640/Rexona_Courtney_Brazil_Cup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Most Brazilian star athletes go by just one name. What's on the back of Courtney Thompson's jersey? (see below)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{808bd676-659d-438b-bad3-1ba0149e0506}{218}" paraid="1359156111" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Just as foreign nationals are big stars in American leagues like the NBA,</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> WNBA, MLB, MLS and NHL, Thompson is among those American stars whose name is better known around the world than at home. She's overcome</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> unimaginable challenges—relentless competition, globe-trotting tournaments, aching homesickness—to become one of the </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">world's </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">elite in </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">a </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">sport played by more American girls than any other (yes, more than soccer, more than basketball.)</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{ab9c8c41-8cf0-4cc6-9e56-84f333ba3b60}{161}" paraid="1426066079" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{ab9c8c41-8cf0-4cc6-9e56-84f333ba3b60}{165}" paraid="619320467" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">How does she do it? Ask almost anyone whose been Courtney's teammate, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">all the way back to Kent, WA youth sports in the 1980s. They'll tell you she is about the best teammate they've ever had. Passion. Energy. Competitive fire. Empathy. Fun.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{28}" paraid="1197987133" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{32}" paraid="1356498186" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Courtney will be among three setters competing for two spots on the USA </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Olympic </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">roster this summer. She already knows how to win medals in Rio.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{172}" paraid="1305181198" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtq3g8Im8B25ZZjR_sIPI6_sCN3CW4leZ6CtnJZ3Pu1F96NCAiCJ7DpaTTsWOo0TZtmsvrHge1iZvPfpTP78D8oD4KYxtj5otfN73Hu6-oTt4P5jCxuDoMoiRLL2UJEjUhEelQN_WBLM/s1600/Rexona_Courtney_COURT_jersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtq3g8Im8B25ZZjR_sIPI6_sCN3CW4leZ6CtnJZ3Pu1F96NCAiCJ7DpaTTsWOo0TZtmsvrHge1iZvPfpTP78D8oD4KYxtj5otfN73Hu6-oTt4P5jCxuDoMoiRLL2UJEjUhEelQN_WBLM/s640/Rexona_Courtney_COURT_jersey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">... and there you have it: COURT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{172}" paraid="1305181198" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{176}" paraid="1386062581" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{181}" paraid="2021779275" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">OTHER FORMER HUSKIES PLAYING PRO</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{217}" paraid="777465561" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{58717f22-ea94-4222-9bec-887b47f1ce1d}{222}" paraid="866391849" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thompson </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">is one of four former Huskies on the current </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">US National Team</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> roster. </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Krista Vansant</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is playing professionally this winter with Thompson's old team, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Volero</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Zurich</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, (where her fellow National Team member</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">s</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Foluke Akinradewo</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">and </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Natalie Hagglund</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> are </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">also on the roster.) Team USA's </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jenna Hagglund</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is with </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Busto Arsizio</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in Northern Italy, paired with National Team opposite </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Karsta Lowe</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Olympian </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tama Miyashiro</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">not </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">currently playing professionally as she rehabilitates an injury suffered with the US Team last summer.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{68fe34f2-9c04-47bc-be9a-e62d2d188eb4}{251}" paraid="1190187152" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{6909a0bf-a446-44a9-96f9-8026a22faa0e}{2}" paraid="290034462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">In Berlin, Germany, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kaleigh Nelson</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lauren Barfield</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> are playing for </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kopenicker SC</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, while </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Becky Perry</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is with </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">MKS Dabrowa Gornicza</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in Poland.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{72742f7d-0f38-47cf-b98d-0a74ccc56078}{168}" paraid="823329849" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{72742f7d-0f38-47cf-b98d-0a74ccc56078}{172}" paraid="1217009404" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">So far this season, 253 American women (and 99 American men) have completed the paperwork to play professionally overseas. How many sportswriters pay attention to how many Americans make money playing volleyball?</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{6909a0bf-a446-44a9-96f9-8026a22faa0e}{158}" paraid="624726450" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{152}" paraid="1164441867" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{b2e76342-93de-4afd-98ab-a744e36ae70f}{152}" paraid="1164441867" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">SANDERS COACHING AT COLORADO</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{d0aa2f71-3252-4cdd-84a4-b9956450f2a4}{120}" paraid="1708733207" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{d0aa2f71-3252-4cdd-84a4-b9956450f2a4}{120}" paraid="1708733207" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Evan Sanders was</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a sophomore and the starting setter when her </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Colorado State</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> team upset </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">heavily-favored Washington in the second round of the 2009 NCAA tournament.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{8a22425e-db68-4d5b-9cb0-8f8b2ffc18fc}{43}" paraid="592564059" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{6909a0bf-a446-44a9-96f9-8026a22faa0e}{196}" paraid="574854726" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">In 2011, Sanders transferred to</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> UW, splitting her senior season setting duties with </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jenni Nogueras</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in the Huskies' 6-2 offense.</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> She played professionally in France and Greece before becom</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ing</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a volunteer assistant last season for NCAA finalist </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Texas</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{8a22425e-db68-4d5b-9cb0-8f8b2ffc18fc}{159}" paraid="300471830" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{8a22425e-db68-4d5b-9cb0-8f8b2ffc18fc}{164}" paraid="1540054106" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; height: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Last December, </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Colorado </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">volleyball coach </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Liz Kritza</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">abruptly </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">fired, quickly replaced by Denver University's <strike>Colorado State's</strike> </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jesse Mahoney</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Mahoney had been an associate head coach at CSU during Sanders' three years with the Rams; she left Colorado State when Mahoney became head coach at Denver U.</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{e452e89e-97ed-4f21-94a6-6fe1ed208c43}{68}" paraid="837207738" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX67771413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX67771413" paraeid="{e452e89e-97ed-4f21-94a6-6fe1ed208c43}{74}" paraid="1486767251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Last</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> week, Mahoney hired Sanders as one of his two assistant coaches. She joins a growing roster of former UW players now working as </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">colleg</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">iate</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">assistant coaches</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, including </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stevie Mussie</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Penn State), </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sanja Tomasevic</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Miami), </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Danka Danicic</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (UTSA</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">) and </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brie </span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hagerty</span><span class="TextRun SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Brenner (Defiance, OH College.)</span><span class="EOP SCX67771413" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-82408728310854204772016-01-11T16:17:00.000-08:002016-07-12T09:15:28.267-07:00Olympics | Courtney Thompson called "such a good leader" as USA qualifies for Rio Olympics <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{134}" paraid="743984291" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thompson and teammates </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">surprise a former Washington Olympian</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{140}" paraid="177937180" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">[UPDATED 5:00PM (Pacific), 01/11/16]</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZfvPvYFyM9DgdoaLmJs0nUKi1YvsWqyV-PB34ww63s32b8hEE6YP4Rh5Zncpj9JYswsqnkUoD7mPc2w8AMBIfILmwvl1rXucrWFdOY9vBbcU3pv8nuoyWj-FIqnXgsC8yUAxi3VGiqw/s1600/NORCECA_DR_medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZfvPvYFyM9DgdoaLmJs0nUKi1YvsWqyV-PB34ww63s32b8hEE6YP4Rh5Zncpj9JYswsqnkUoD7mPc2w8AMBIfILmwvl1rXucrWFdOY9vBbcU3pv8nuoyWj-FIqnXgsC8yUAxi3VGiqw/s640/NORCECA_DR_medals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Team USA, including Courtney Thompson (front row, left) celebrate earning an Olympic bid by winning the NORCECA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska<br /><i>-USA Volleyball</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{144}" paraid="675825444" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{144}" paraid="675825444" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Six Olympians from 2012—</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Courtney Thompson</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Washington), </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tama Miyashiro</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Washington), </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jordan Larson-Burbach </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Nebraska), </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Foluke Akinradewo </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Stanford), </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Christa Dietzen</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Penn State) and </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Megan Easy</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Penn State)</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">—have a chance to repeat the feat later this year in Rio.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{146}" paraid="714764671" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b7470f7c-2d22-4602-a229-79be8af97ebf}{150}" paraid="2072725271" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Five of those athletes—Thompson, Larson-Burbach, Akinradewo, Dietzen and Easy—were on the roster in </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lincoln, Nebraska </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">over the weekend as USA defeated </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Canada</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Puerto Rico</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dominican Republic</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to earn the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">NORCECA </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">(North and Central America) bid to the 2016 Games. The one missing Olympian—Miyashiro—was stuck in </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Anaheim</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, tied to an important doctor appointment as she rehabs an injured </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">knee.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{cb0da8d9-1068-43de-b48d-e0f127198629}{13}" paraid="1308694761" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{cb0da8d9-1068-43de-b48d-e0f127198629}{28}" paraid="2024406095" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">But after winning the first two matches, Miyashiro's teammates decided they missed her. "</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">The night before the last game," says USA setter (and Miyashiro's </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">former Washington teammate</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">) </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Courtney Thompson</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, "a bunch of us in the back of the bus were talking about Tama and how we wish she were there. We decided to </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">surprise her a</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">nd fly her out (to Lincoln.) And so, we called her and said, '</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hey, pack your bags. W</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">e</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> got your ticket. </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">W</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">e want you out here.'</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> It was really neat for us. We're a family, and </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">it meant a lot for us to have her there."</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span>
<span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;">"It would have been so easy for them to think only about what they had to do in Lincoln," says Miyashiro. "But they wanted me there, too. It was very, very cool."</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b8a50e5f-ad5c-4fc5-9854-c68e1bc96efc}{44}" paraid="1783519276" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaGCCgjdqAiN0yfOs1mmsuUpgWvL-cLThvPe0BeovTh-w8FZlaYVclp-6YsIkTv0Wbgxy5CMbm-A0j48aQTqcrB1tvUtVdHOPp3Adqiv8w2nbGr9Eg0mBAuAwd67cIX83Zmzk63idTeI/s1600/NORCECA_FB_Farney_Candice_Tama_HaneefPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaGCCgjdqAiN0yfOs1mmsuUpgWvL-cLThvPe0BeovTh-w8FZlaYVclp-6YsIkTv0Wbgxy5CMbm-A0j48aQTqcrB1tvUtVdHOPp3Adqiv8w2nbGr9Eg0mBAuAwd67cIX83Zmzk63idTeI/s640/NORCECA_FB_Farney_Candice_Tama_HaneefPark.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carolyn Farney, Candice Lee Viring, Tama Miyashiro and Tayyiba Haneef-Park cheer on<br />Team USA at the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier in Lincoln, NE<br /><i>-Tayyiba Haneef-Park</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b8a50e5f-ad5c-4fc5-9854-c68e1bc96efc}{40}" paraid="763688826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">With Miyashiro in the stands, along with Washington </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">alums</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Carolyn Farney</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Candice (Lee) Vering</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Thompson and Team USA swept Dominican Republic 3-0, earning the team tickets to Rio in August. </span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{bc60efa0-4b0a-45c0-ae1f-98815ff7e13e}{227}" paraid="1558846264" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{bc60efa0-4b0a-45c0-ae1f-98815ff7e13e}{73}" paraid="1703151899" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thompson </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">was on the roster as USA won the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">World Championships</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in 2014 and the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">World Grand Prix</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in 2015</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. She was left off the roster last summer when USA failed to claim an early Olympic berth in the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">World Cup</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{b8a50e5f-ad5c-4fc5-9854-c68e1bc96efc}{255}" paraid="1752750425" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{bc60efa0-4b0a-45c0-ae1f-98815ff7e13e}{240}" paraid="1610887844" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"Obviously, I was super-disappointed last summer, how things ended up," says Thompson.</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> "This is a family. I'm competitive. I want to be part of it. </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">It's important for me to do everything I can to be part of it."</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{360d9d77-0c7c-4817-9427-002cd631ab79}{19}" paraid="955464665" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{246}" paraid="1334059214" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">US National Team members play professionally in nations across the globe. </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Last fall, Thompson signed with </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rexona-Ades</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> of Rio de Janeiro, one of the world's premiere professional teams. Last month, she came back to Anaheim as one of 22 USA athletes seeking 14 slots on last week's Lincoln roster.</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">As Thompson prepared to return to Anaheim from Rio</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, she sent a personal email to each of her USA teammates.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{39}" paraid="542799491" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{43}" paraid="837613329" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"Let's do this," she wrote.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{248}" paraid="130487052" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{250}" paraid="1623147271" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Middle blo</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">cker </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">R</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">achael Adams</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> told the Associated Press that the</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">email made a difference. Thompson, she remembers, told the team, "</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">`Hey, as soon as we step into this gym when we return to California, we need to be on. We don't want to waste days trying to get comfortable with each other or trying to figure things out.'</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{252}" paraid="1737676938" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{254}" paraid="550543769" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"She's such a good leader," libero </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Natalie Hagglund</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> told AP about Thompson. "S</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">he kind of came out right off the bat and was like, `Let's do this, we only have two weeks together, let's figure it out quickly, let's have some fun.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{1}" paraid="1089708111" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{3}" paraid="1603900552" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"That's exactly what we did. I'm really proud of this team for being able to dominate that so quickly."</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{5}" paraid="1799795860" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{c0bbf80a-f7f9-446a-9803-a45de7827265}{102}" paraid="381207447" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">During the NORCECA tournament, Thompson teamed with former </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">UCLA </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">opposite </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Karsta Lowe</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in coach </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Karch Kiraly's</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> double-substitution offense. The system gives Thompson and Lowe limited playing time, but both made a huge impact. Only once did USA lose points during their three rotations per set. More typically, USA made big runs with Thompson at the controls and Lowe pounding from the right side.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{9986ba1e-cece-4f2b-9ac0-c539b7650db2}{25}" paraid="1967241509" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{87}" paraid="1937900674" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"I felt really good about how I was playing," she says.</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> "I was really motivated to compete and be my best and do my best. </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> And I think I did. I was happy about that."</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{146}" paraid="930887167" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{151}" paraid="1278566068" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thompson is already back in Brazil, where she'll complete the rest of her pro season before making a final push to be one of two setters on the 2016 12-person roster. There are no guarantees, and there will be stiff competition from oft-injured veteran </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alisha Glass</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and much younger</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Molly Kreklow</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Thompson is determined to make the final cut, but says the best way to do that is to focus on helping all of her teammates.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{89}" paraid="1013593450" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{31cff3ef-24af-431e-aae6-afb55ceb8dc9}{85}" paraid="579845559" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFKq8fCbhpXrgwcNLv_KYGXFNDyD8M9vkIAxwJ6l3xB5OXAMQla_dghIc5rHJPW0yNVjwcJ4fI8EWy6l14Ut4PUpzkrN4LmlOqegalPE0VMlOAcLrwuc2jes4DTu9j2OpPSax06xq_8/s1600/NORCECA_PR_Courtney_backsets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFKq8fCbhpXrgwcNLv_KYGXFNDyD8M9vkIAxwJ6l3xB5OXAMQla_dghIc5rHJPW0yNVjwcJ4fI8EWy6l14Ut4PUpzkrN4LmlOqegalPE0VMlOAcLrwuc2jes4DTu9j2OpPSax06xq_8/s400/NORCECA_PR_Courtney_backsets.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtney Thompson sets against Puerto Rico<br /><i>-USA Volleyball</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Support for each other is such a big part of our team," Thompson says. "It's w</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ho we are. It's w</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">hat we're about. We feel that. The reason</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> so many of us were motivated to come back in this quad was to do it the right way, as a family.</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{104}" paraid="346592459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{dd0fda6e-43f9-4524-87cf-99ed07a53106}{26}" paraid="604842029" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"That's who we fight for. We fight for something larger than us. A large part of that is each other. We hope that when people watch us, that's what we see. 'Cause that's what we feel. For sure, we lived that in these three matches."</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{fb46e8ad-32dc-4cf0-87a9-4ffe0e9cb463}{34}" paraid="585439797" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{9986ba1e-cece-4f2b-9ac0-c539b7650db2}{75}" paraid="317265582" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="color: #073763; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b>NOTES</b></span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">:</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{9986ba1e-cece-4f2b-9ac0-c539b7650db2}{85}" paraid="247109469" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; height: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Saturday's NORCECA final was broadcast on </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">NBC Sports Network</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and drew 10,213 fans in Lincoln's </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Pinnacle Bank A</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">rena</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Not many US cities could draw that kind of crowd for an international match … except, perhaps, </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Honolulu</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Minneapolis </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">and </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Seattle</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. With former Washington All-American </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Krista Vansant</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> expected to be in serious contention for a spot on the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">2020 Tokyo Olympic</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> roster, isn't it about</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> time for the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Seattle Sports Commission</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and the </span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">University of Washington</span><span class="TextRun SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to start preparing bids to host international matches during the next quad?</span><span class="EOP SCX13830465" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX13830465" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX13830465" paraeid="{bc60efa0-4b0a-45c0-ae1f-98815ff7e13e}{3}" paraid="1316240125" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422132707303068153.post-67618303010194762972015-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:002016-07-12T09:16:12.562-07:00College | Washington volleyball's Lianna Sybeldon honored (twice) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{68c503d4-317a-4ce1-ba39-a77fb671d3d1}{133}" paraid="1628472674" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; height: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">UW senior is First Team All-American for both AVCA and Volleyball Magazine</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{f320f33c-73df-42df-86b5-67357fa7cf18}{139}" paraid="1781484634" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tonight | 4:</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: inherit; background-image: url(data:image/gif; background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">30PM</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; color: #974706; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (Pacific) | #3 Texas vs. #4 Nebraska | National Championship</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{b4efd5ce-59ee-4778-aa0b-f242ab7750eb}{11}" paraid="2084276638" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nu5VMZMFjzn1uWihD4jvsNFA3OW1Zlnp9wbwAbF_HUo4b0UD_x3thqLrk61fiyXK90aDTdsFTaOgz9_QLFERb3a7XCTCxp89vJmh4FXQ9RPL2ji2fioOfBDBWMvMWneYa2aIWhoqFxk/s1600/Pac-12+All+Americans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nu5VMZMFjzn1uWihD4jvsNFA3OW1Zlnp9wbwAbF_HUo4b0UD_x3thqLrk61fiyXK90aDTdsFTaOgz9_QLFERb3a7XCTCxp89vJmh4FXQ9RPL2ji2fioOfBDBWMvMWneYa2aIWhoqFxk/s640/Pac-12+All+Americans.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">AVCA All-Americans from Pac-12 schools gather at the awards banquet in Omaha. From left: Stanford's Madi Bugg, Washington's Lianna Sybeldon, Stanford's Haley Hodson, Stanford's Brittany Howard, Stanford's Merete Lutz, USC's Alicia Ogoms and USC's Samantha Bricio<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Jack Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{b4efd5ce-59ee-4778-aa0b-f242ab7750eb}{15}" paraid="1059100066" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">OMAHA—When it was </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lianna Sybeldon's</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> turn to take th</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">e stage</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, she</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> didn't look nervous. But when emcee </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Beth Mowins</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">of </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ESPN </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">asked the </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Washington </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">middle blocker about her favorite part of </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">her day</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Sybeldon joked, "not this."</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{e95071d0-5e23-4b8b-853a-b19eb4d2b266}{44}" paraid="2036034140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{e95071d0-5e23-4b8b-853a-b19eb4d2b266}{41}" paraid="975419753" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sybeldon was here in Omaha to pick up a postseason award as an </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">AVCA First Team All-American</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, joining the nation's elite volleyball players at the annual banquet honoring their </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">achiev</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">ements</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. During the Q&A</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mowins</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> asked about Washington's abrupt coaching change at the end of her junior season.</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{905815a2-53f8-4f49-8c46-0c7e812e1a0d}{61}" paraid="547295329" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{905815a2-53f8-4f49-8c46-0c7e812e1a0d}{55}" paraid="1447063547" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"Keegan just told me to be kind," Sybeldon joked, drawing a big laugh in the packed convention center ballroom.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{3e4e645e-5ce9-49e4-b342-62812bebe098}{11}" paraid="639288834" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{3e4e645e-5ce9-49e4-b342-62812bebe098}{5}" paraid="8287194" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"He's made the transition really easy," she continued. "He's a lot of fun to play for. I'd say we laugh at him as much as we laugh at ourselves."</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{990ffe92-1e2c-4274-a904-7ae7c005ff4e}{59}" paraid="150483644" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZRi_ZZns9OdP5pS8ABjtHZCPqBz3DU0duA6wo9oR1lF_WWlKH4eFkO2ZfasBo5SjkD_ggqIhqDvWtAfGxzpGqi8XQpT5wt0t2yAn6mXuGoszwB8ytMlTiq5-5yx6a9z2BH0-AeDw574/s1600/Sybeldon+AVCA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZRi_ZZns9OdP5pS8ABjtHZCPqBz3DU0duA6wo9oR1lF_WWlKH4eFkO2ZfasBo5SjkD_ggqIhqDvWtAfGxzpGqi8XQpT5wt0t2yAn6mXuGoszwB8ytMlTiq5-5yx6a9z2BH0-AeDw574/s640/Sybeldon+AVCA.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Washington All-American Lianna Sybeldon is interviewed by ESPN's Beth Mowins at the AVCA All-American banquet in Omaha<br /><i>-Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{990ffe92-1e2c-4274-a904-7ae7c005ff4e}{54}" paraid="1569576893" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{990ffe92-1e2c-4274-a904-7ae7c005ff4e}{54}" paraid="1569576893" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mowins pointed out that Sybeldon and her fellow seniors won more matches over four seasons than any other class in Washington history.</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{5f9a6807-472b-452c-b0c7-80c3f3163f18}{140}" paraid="2034546208" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{5f9a6807-472b-452c-b0c7-80c3f3163f18}{134}" paraid="1228538797" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">"We had a really great senior class when we came in as freshmen (</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Amanda Gil</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kelcey Dunaway</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kylin Munoz</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kelly Holford</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">)," Sybeldon said. "They taught us a lot. They instilled a lot of good core values in us that we carried through all four years."</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{5f9a6807-472b-452c-b0c7-80c3f3163f18}{208}" paraid="1143643371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{5f9a6807-472b-452c-b0c7-80c3f3163f18}{214}" paraid="163397631" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sybeldon is also one of only seven players selected to the </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">2015 Volleyball Magazine All-American</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> team. We're here on assignment for Volleyball Magazine, and will soon post a link to a video interview with Sybeldon in conjunction with her VBM All-American honor.</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{73cfea51-62b9-4c7e-a15a-43f90bd5f250}{231}" paraid="1136686105" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{73cfea51-62b9-4c7e-a15a-43f90bd5f250}{235}" paraid="950271075" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Speaking of our VBM assignments, please take a moment to click through our two latest online entries:</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
</div>
<ul style="font-size: 6pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre;">
<li><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.volleyballmag.com/articles/43759-losing-is-not-just-for-losers" target="_blank">Losing is not just for losers</a></span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, a profile of the classy way a player on one team and the coach on another handled the immediate aftermath of a difficult loss.</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.volleyballmag.com/articles/43758-nebraska-versus-texas-in-the-national-championship" target="_blank">Nebraska vs. Texas in the National Championship</a></span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, a recap of the semifinals, with particular attention to the outsized role played by two freshmen.</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
</span>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">We've <b><a href="http://volleyblogseattle.blogspot.com/2015/12/college-all-american-slights-and-other.html" target="_blank">recently written</a></b> about the glaring absence of Washington libero <b>Cassie Strickland </b>from the AVCA All-American First, Second or Third Teams (she was one of dozens of Honorable Mentions.) Keegan Cook is none to happy about it--and about not seeing middle blocker <b>Melanie Wade</b> get postseason recognition. He has a point: Washington was Pac-12 co-champion, and ended the season as AVCA's #1 ranked team. </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;">Cook acknowledges that coaches who vote for postseason honors have precious little opportunity to see teams not on their schedule. He says that, in an effort to eliminate bias, awards are too often based on supposedly neutral data and metrics. Once you've seen a player like Strickland, however, you know that most of what she brings to the game is never measured in the stat book.</span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{2d5a2f68-2019-40f5-ad38-349bc6e45ca1}{62}" paraid="532438724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">In a conversation with <i>Volleyblog Seattle</i> yesterday, Cook floated an intriguing idea. Why not tap the considerable talents of eminent retired coaches? Many still follow the game closely, and could be encouraged to watch a wide variety of televised matches if part of their role was to make a case for glaring absences like Strickland and Wade. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{362418bb-4660-4f00-8c25-4fff69425764}{215}" paraid="775269824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">NOTES:</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{362418bb-4660-4f00-8c25-4fff69425764}{230}" paraid="1434368173" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">In his Friday press conference </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nebraska </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">coach </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">John Cook</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> talked about programs he considers rivals and opponents he respects. "Every program has rivalries. We like to think that we have a rivalry with </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Penn State</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, with </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Texas</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, with </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stanford </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">and </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Washington</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">. We've played those teams a lot in the tournament and during the regular season. Those are the teams competing for national championships. I think it's more there is a lot of respect for the programs—at least we have a lot of respect for Texas, and they are fun to play—but people in Nebraska do still get worked up about Texas."</span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">In today's </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Omaha World-Herald</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">, correspondent </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jeff Sheldon</span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> writes about how Nebraska players have tried this season to get their coach to lighten up. An excerpt: "The regional final win over </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">Washington </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US">offered an example of how the lighthearted exuberance had rubbed off on Cook. The Huskers' match point sent players spilling onto the court for a series of happy embraces. As stoic as any coach on the sideline, Cook hugged his assistants and several players before pulling the team into a huddle for a few emotional words." </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCX185753317" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: normal;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{362418bb-4660-4f00-8c25-4fff69425764}{163}" paraid="830837276" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX185753317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 8px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX185753317" paraeid="{362418bb-4660-4f00-8c25-4fff69425764}{168}" paraid="84995494" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
jack hamannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12504025463861363569noreply@blogger.com6