National Team | USA Women’s Volleyball Road to Rio [Part 2]

Which players are in the running for the 12 USA women’s volleyball roster spots for the 2016 Olympic Games? Today: outsides and liberos

Which 12 American women will be selected next summer for the Rio Olympic Games?
-FIVB

With decision time for the 2016 Rio Olympic roster roughly a year away, we’re running through the probable Rio roster candidates, and suggesting what each has to do to make the final cut.

Be sure to see our first entry, Road to Rio (Part 1), for a discussion of the decision process and a rundown of setters and opposites. Today, we’ll talk about outside hitters and liberos. The next post will focus on middles.

---

OUTSIDE HITTERS

2012 London Olympics

• Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Stanford University)
• Megan (Hodge) Easy (Durham, NE, Penn State University
• Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, NE, University of Nebraska)

2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic candidates

• Larson-Burbach
• Easy
• Kim Hill (Portland, OR, Pepperdine University)
• Krista Vansant (Redlands, CA, University of Washington)
• Kelsey Robinson (Bartlett, IL, University of Nebraska)
• Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, UT, Stanford University)
• Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, CA, Stanford University)

We group outside hitters and liberos together for two reasons. First, there are usually five roster spots available to be divided among these two positions—either 3 outsides and 2 liberos, or 4 outsides and 1 libero. Second, outsides and liberos are a team’s primary passers, and close matches against elite opponents can turn on that critically important skill.

Jordan Larson-Burbach’s is the obvious candidate for the top OH spot in Rio. In a recent interview with the Omaha World-Herald, she said she considered quitting the game after London, frustrated, in part, by her playing time in the gold medal match. Since then, she’s been one of the best professional outside hitters in the world, leading teams based in Russia (2013-14) and Turkey (2014-15) to a host of professional tournament championships. On the court, Larson-Burbach is clinical and aggressive. Off the court, she speaks her mind. Like any great outside, she will often be judged by how well she does when poor passing limits her setter’s options. Can she hit high hands? Can she tool the block? Can she drop killer tips? In Rio, the spotlight will likely shine her way.

When USA is in system, Megan (Hodge) Easy is deadly. With great hops and a whip arm, she can lead her team on long runs. But Easy has always had a weakness: passing. At times, the weakness is glaring enough to pull her team into an extended funk. Back from having her first child, she’s been getting plenty of chances from coach Karch Kiraly to learn from mistakes and improve. Her poor passing in the first two rounds of the 2015 World Grand Prix show she still has a ways to go.

USA outside hitter Kim Hill attacks against the Italian defense in the 2015 World Grand Prix
-FIVB

Kim Hill has made a strong push to unseat Easy in the starting lineup. Tall enough to not be intimidated by the block, she continues to make strides as a passer, hitter and blocker. Her serve makes it tough to keep her out of the lineup: a textbook hard, flat, deep float that is usually good for one or more long runs a match. Just today, she recorded 6 aces in a World Grand Prix win over Japan, including 4 in one service rotation. Kiraly likes to run a fast offense, which is sometimes a problem for Hill when passing breaks down and she is the obvious option. Her confidence, however, is growing, and may be ready to peak in Rio.

Krista Vansant is only a few weeks out of college, but she’s already making a splash. At the Pan Am Cup, a secondary tournament in Peru, she was named MVP. In World Grand Prix matches against Russia and Belgium, she and fellow rookie Karsta Lowe (an opposite) provided the firepower. In college, the former AVCA National Player of the Year was as well-respected for her serving and passing as she was for her hitting. She has a shot at Rio, but may need to tone down her enthusiasm when things go well in exchange for learning not to withdraw when things do not.

Kelsey Robinson, who transferred to Nebraska after three years at Tennessee, is unafraid to emote on the court. Her enthusiasm can be either inspiring or grating, but it works best when she’s on her game. She shares many of Vansant’s qualities—good serve, good pass—and has played solidly during the World Grand Prix. If Easy can’t overcome her passing problems, Robinson and Vansant may be battling for the third OH spot in Rio.

Kristin Hildebrand made a deep run in the leadup to London, but couldn’t quite crack the lineup. During her long career, she’s earned teammates’ respect as a leader and a hard worker. She has amazing hops, which make her a formidable attacker and blocker. In a crowded field, she may have to hope Kiraly goes with just one libero in Rio.

Cassidy Lichtman would be the perfect choice if Olympic rosters ever expand from 12 to 14. Lichtman has all the tools—she can hit, set, pass, serve. Problem is, there is always someone else who beats her at any one of those skills. With a roster of 14, she’d be the perfect injury replacement almost anywhere on the court. If she wants to coach someday, she’ll be a good one. Like Hildebrand, she might sneak in if Kiraly takes four outsides.

Other outsides with little more than an outside chance to make the Rio roster include Michelle Bartsch, Sonja Newcombe, Regan Hood and Kelly Reeves.

---

LIBEROS

2012 London Olympics

• Nicole Davis (Stockton, University of Southern California)
• Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, HI, University of Washington)

2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic candidates

• Davis
• Miyashiro
• Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, IA, University of Nebraska)

USA libero Tama Miyashiro celebrates a point.
-FIVB

Over the past 12 months, Kayla Banwarth has come into her own. Calm, steady and focused, she has earned the starting libero spot in every major competition, and is likely the leading contender for Rio. She has great eyework, allowing her to get into good positions to avoid the need for flashy digs. Banwarth can also show fire: during a sloppy World Grand Prix stretch against Serbia, she fairly seethed during a timeout, something her teammates had to have noticed. Back on the court, she made several big digs to help USA win that match in five.

Tama Miyashiro spent last summer recovering from injury, but worked her way back up to the World Grand Prix roster this summer. In London, she was the backup libero, which means she spent most of her time getting ready for rare opportunities on the court. Not everyone can accept that kind of role, which might give her a leg up for Rio. Coach Kiraly will have to decide whether to risk taking just one libero to Brazil, but would need a Plan B if there’s an injury. Miyashiro is technically sound and well-loved by teammates—intangibles might make the difference.

Nicole Davis has twice won Olympic silver medals, and would hate to miss a chance to win a gold. For now, Banwarth has passed her in the depth chart, and—like any former starter—might struggle with the prospect of being a substitute in Rio.

One other libero is in the mix: Natalie Hagglund. She’s not yet been on any major-tournament rosters, but could be a contender, especially if injuries are a factor. If not this Olympics, she’d be an early contender for 2020.

---

see also: Road to Rio(Part 1) (setters and opposites)

next post: middle blockers

National Team | Courtney Thompson named to USA roster for big Brazil series

• Rematch of the 2012 Olympic Finals set for this weekend and next week

UPDATE: Visit usavolleyballcup.com for live stream of Match 1 (7PM July 5) and Match 2 (5PM July 6)

Olympians Courtney Thompson (L) and Nicole Davis will be on the roster
for all four matches against Brazil 

Olympics | Lessons learned from volleyball's gold medal match

Brazil 3, USA 1 (11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17)

After shock and a bit of sadness, fans of USA volleyball will want to evaluate just how sure-fire gold slipped from the team’s fingers. Here, then, are some early talking points:

IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO SERVING AND PASSING

Brazilian ball falls between Nicole Davis and Lindsey Berg
-Getty

In every volleyball match, at every level, winning teams have to serve tough and pass well. Many of USA’s 9 service errors came at inopportune momentum-killing times, especially the 4 by Logan Tom. But USA’s serve-receive was the real story: libero Nicole Davis was simply not up to the task, and USA coach Hugh McCutcheon made a huge mistake sticking with poor-passing Megan Hodge too long. Far too often, USA was operating out-of-system and Brazil was in-system. At this level, that essentially spells defeat.

LINDSEY BERG’S WEAKNESSES WERE EXPOSED

Olympics | Gold Medal Match: How USA beat Brazil 12 days ago

Gold Medal match: USA (7-0) vs. Brazil (5-2)
Saturday, August 11 | 10:30am (Pacific)

Only July 30, USA met Brazil in the second match of Olympic pool play. Coming in, USA had looked erratic in a hard-fought 3-1 victory against South Korea. Brazil had struggled to a 3-2 win against Turkey.

USA’s 3-1 win against Brazil that night was hardly easy (25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21). But a careful review of that contest may shed light on what to expect during Saturday’s gold medal rematch:

USA STEPPED UP ITS PASSING

Logan Tom passes as Nicole Davis looks on during
USA's July 30 win against Brazil
-Getty

After a shaky pool play performance against South Korea, libero Nicole Davis greatly improved her serve-receive game against Brazil. It helped that the Brazilians had a terrible serving night; when they weren’t making service errors (15 for the match), they were delivering easy serves. By comparison, USA served tough, particularly Jordan Larson and Logan Tom.

LOGAN TOM WAS ON FIRE

Olympics | Courtney Thompson's nose, Lindsey Berg's calf

USA vs. South Korea (semifinals), Thursday, August 9, 7:00am (Pacific)

USA volleyball fans won't know until Thursday morning whether Courtney Thompson or Lindsey Berg will take the setter's reins against South Korea in the Olympic semifinals.

There is no reason to suspect that Thompson's bump on the nose--sustained on the final play of Tuesday's Dominican Republic match--has had any significant effect. But much thanks to Seattle's Dave Weitl of Washington Volleyball Academy for passing along his photo of Courtney signaling to her parents that she's bloodied, but not bowed:

Olympics | #1 USA defeats #2 Brazil

Final score: USA 3, Brazil 1 (25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21)

Next match: Wednesday, noon (Pacific) vs. China

When two top teams meet in a marquee match, it usually comes down to serving.

Brazil’s inability to serve well was the most important storyline as top-ranked USA prevailed 3-1 in a much-anticipated Olympic pool play showdown. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Brazil took the gold and USA the silver.

Jordan Larson, Nicole Davis, Logan Tom, Foluke Akinradewo and Destinee Hooker celebrate a point against Brazil
-USA Volleyball

At the most obvious level, Brazil gave away far too many points—15—on outright service errors, compared to just 7 for the USA (3 by Jordan Larson). In the decisive fourth set, Brazil missed its final two serves, while Larson and Logan Tom served tough.

And throughout the match, Brazil’s in-bounds serves were generally not tough enough, producing just 3 aces and allowing the Americans to make far too many decent passes. When the USA was in system, it rarely made mistakes.

Brazil proved to be a lopsided team. When middle blocker Thaisa Menezes was in the front row, the offense clicked. But on two rotations, both the second middle blocker (usually Fabiana Claudino) and the setter (alternating between Fernanda Ferreira and Danielle Lins) were ineffective, allowing the USA to concentrate on just one hitter. In fact, Brazil rarely went to its opposite hitter, and it set few quicks to either middle.

“[USA] is a team that deserves a lot of respect,” said veteran Brazilian hitter Paula Pequeno, “but they have a lot of weak points that we have to know how to take advantage of. They put all of the responsibility on top of us and just defended. We need to have more patience and better ourselves a lot.”

Logan Tom tips past Fernanda Ferreira (9) and Fabiana Claudino
-Getty Images

Libero Nicole Davis, despite a few lapses in the fourth set, played much better than she did against South Korea, committing just two serve-receive errors and just two digging errors. That allowed setter Lindsey Berg to set with notable confidence and better deception.

Once again, Destinee Hooker was the top attacker, recording 22 kills and 3 errors on 45 attempts (.422). Logan Tom bounced back with big numbers: 12 kills and just 1 error on 27 attempts (.407). Jordan Larson was once again solid with 16 kills and 6 on 36 attempts (.277).

With better passes, Berg was also able to get her middles more involved in the offense. Foluke Akinradewo had 9 kills and 4 errors on 19 attempts (.263), while Christa Harmotto added 4 kills and 1 error on 8 attempts (.375).

Both Courtney Thompson and Tama Miyashiro saw time as substitutes; both played well, but neither was in long enough to influence the match.

Olympics | #1 vs. #2: USA/Brazil Preview

Monday, July 30 | 8:45am (Pacific): #1 USA vs. #2 Brazil
NBC Live Extra www.nbcolympics.com/liveextra

One of the biggest matchups of the 2012 London Olympic Games is just hours away.

Courtney Thompson and Tayyiba Haneef-Park
celebrate a point against South Korea

Earlier this year, the USA bumped Brazil from the top of the world volleyball rankings. The Americans strengthened that position by defeating Brazil twice during the 2012 World Grand Prix competition.

Monday’s showdown could be a doozy. Both teams struggled in their Olympic openers. Brazil needed five sets to defeat Turkey, an emerging power. According to our friends and contacts who watched both the USA and Brazil in London Saturday, here’s how they compare:

• Brazil was the better passing and digging team. USA often struggled against South Korea; libero Nicole Davis had 8 passing errors, including a couple of fairly clean opportunities.
• USA’s blockers were more dominant. Foluke Akinradewo and Christa Harmotto were particularly effective, with Tayyiba Haneef-Park helping Harmotto completely shut down the Koreans at the end of the match.
• Both teams are effective when they set the Quick: a fast, flat delivery right to the hands of the middle blocker. USA setter Lindsey Berg, however, didn’t look to her middles very often, however.
• Berg relies as much as she can on one hitter: Destinee Hooker. She set Hooker on the right, left and in the back. When Hooker was on, they got results. But with relatively few chances, other hitters had a tough time finding a rhythm, especially outside hitter Logan Tom.

So often, big matches like this come down to serving and serve receive. For the Americans, both Tom and Harmotto do a great job mixing their serves, and often end up on long runs. The question may be how well the USA—especially Tom and Davis—handle Brazil’s serve.

Olympics | USA 3, South Korea 1

COURTNEY THOMPSON AND TAMA MIYASHIRO HELP LEAD TEAM USA TO VICTORY

Final Score: USA 3, South Korea 1 (25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21)

It was the fourth set, and the USA women’s volleyball team was in trouble.

South Korea star hitter Yeon-Koung Kim was dominating the match. After rocky wins in the first two sets, the USA lost the third. With the Americans clinging to a 14-13 fourth set lead, middle blocker Christa Harmotto rescued a low set and slammed it for a point.

Enter Courtney Thompson.

Team USA celebrates a point during the fourth set against Korea

As she had all evening, the former University of Washington setter launched a “jumpie”: a float serve with minimal rotation. The ball dropped at the feet of the Korean defender, who barely kept it in play. After a short rally, Dae-Young Jung pushed a ball past libero Nicole Davis for another Korean point.

But Thompson—who had entered each set as part of a double-substitution—went to work. A back set to Jordan Larson for a kill. A smart defensive read to avoid a Korean attack heading out of bounds. A pair of double blocks by Harmotto and Tayyiba Haneef-Park. A Larson service ace.

After Korea broke the run, Thompson fed Harmotto with a quick set to the middle for another kill. Courtney’s former Washington teammate Tama Miyashiro entered to serve, forcing the Koreans out of system with a deep float, allowing another Haneef-Park termination block. Larson’s back-row attack from a Thompson set didn’t fall, allowing Korea to push a quick return beyond Larson’s reach. the next play, Thompson slid another quick, this time to Foluke Akinradewo for the kill.

By the time Thompson rotated back to the sidelines, she’d led her team on an 8-3 run and a 23-16 lead.

With Lindsey Berg back at setter, the Koreans won 4 of the next 5 points. But a Larson block ended the set, and the match, giving the USA its first—and tougher-than-expected win of these Olympics.

During the post-match press conference, head coach Hugh McCutcheon mentioned the late set four run:

“It was a very tough game” said McCutcheon, “and Korea made us work a lot. We did some things pretty well but I have also seen room for improvement.

“The players responded well especially after dropping the third set and they turned it around in a very good way to finish it off in the fourth set.”

Korea’s Kim led all hitters with 27 kills and 8 errors on 63 attempts (.300). Dentinee Hooker was Berg’s primary target all night, finishing with 19 kills and 4 errors on 42 attempts (.357) Larson had 14 kills (.393) while Akinradewo added 9 (.411).

Former Washington duo excel in World Grand Prix volleyball championship

Courtney Thompson and Tama Miyashiro play key roles in 3-0 win over China; await Olympic decision

[update: Since this blog was first posted, we've learned that the US Olympic team roster is due by the end of the day July 2, not at noon, as previously reported. Also, the names of those selected may not be released until after the 4th of July holiday]

With gold medals around their necks and confetti in their hair, former University of Washington All-Americans Courtney Thompson and Tama Miyashiro had reason to smile.

The USA National Team celebrates winning the 2012 World Grand Prix championships. Washington's Tama Miyashiro is on the far right; Washington's Courtney Thompson is fourth from the left.
-photo courtesy FIVB

Not only had Team USA cleared the final hurdle to winning its third consecutive World Grand Prix volleyball championship by defeating host China in Ningbo, but both players seemed to have earned the confidence of coach Hugh McCutcheon when the match was on the line.

Until this week, Miyashiro had seen limited court time during the month-long tournament. But Friday’s unspecified injury to USC’s Nicole Davis allowed Miyashiro to wear the libero jersey against Turkey, Cuba and China. In all three matches—and especially against the Chinese—Miyashiro was sensational, passing nails and hustling for key digs.

Setter Thompson has been on the roster the final three weeks of the WGP, usually playing one rotation per set. Against China, starter Alisha Glass continued her usual pattern of setting former Penn State teammate Megan Hodge, rarely getting the ball to the opposites or middles, even when the team is in system. As the match wore on, China kept things close, and exploited Hodge’s inconsistent passing. Too often, Glass still went to Hodge, even after difficult serve receives.

The US won the first two sets, but only after surviving China’s 7-2 run at the end of set two. China opened set three with a 5-1 lead, and was ahead 17-14 when Thompson rotated in and immediately served an ace.

Courtney Thompson (22) and
Kristin Richards dig ball
against China
-photo courtesy FIVB

At 18-18, the teams played a long, stirring point. When McCutcheon studies film, he’ll see Thompson and Miyashiro on the corners, each in perfect defensive position: knees bent, heads up, arms down and shoulders squared to the hitter. Time and again, Chinese hitters connected with power; time and again, the two former Huskies were there. At one point, Thompson flew toward the bench to save the rally; at another, Miyashiro dug a bomb right to Thompson. In the end it was Miyashiro to Thompson to Tayyiba Haneef-Park for the kill.

Every other time Thompson rotates to the front row, McCutcheon re-inserts the taller Glass. But this time, he kept Thompson in the game. Mixing her sets and providing fiery leadership, Thompson stayed until the very end, helping fight off two Chinese set points. When it was all over, the USA had a 3-0 sweep and a 13-0 record in the 2012 WGP Tournament.

“We played a great game,” McCutcheon said in the post-match press conference. “Especially in the third set, our players found ways to win.”

“It is wonderful to see players make plays in big moments.”

McCutcheon has until noon the end of the day Monday to submit the 12-member roster for the London Olympics. (USA Volleyball says the announcement may not be made public until Tuesday after the 4th of July). It would be a shocker if Miyashiro doesn’t make the cut: Davis might be vulnerable to injury. And, quite frankly, Miyashiro played better against China than Davis played against any of the other opponents the past month.

Thompson’s position is more tenuous. Minnesota’s Lindsey Berg will undoubtedly get one of the two setter spots, with Thompson or Glass as backup. The two contenders have equal technique and both get similar results on their serves (few errors, intermittent aces.) Although Glass is taller, her occasional blocks produce far fewer points than the rallies saved by Thompson’s superior defense. Either player would enter an Olympic match as a one-rotation-per-set replacement; that’s a role Thompson has performed extremely well the past month. And Thompson has the intangibles—she is an unabashed floor leader, whose enthusiasm and grit make those around her play better.

(L to R) Danielle Scott-Arruda, Heather Bown, Megan Hodge, Courtney Thompson, Kristin Richards and Tayyiba Haneef-Park celebrate the final point of the 2012 WGP victory against China
-photo courtesy FIVB

The final point of the China match ended with a block by Danielle Scott-Arruda, a 40-year-old Olympic veteran with a megawatt smile. Thompson, however, immediately raced into the arms of another veteran, Hawai’i’s Heather Bown. Bown had just made two picture-perfect serves at clutch moments. Thompson, as usual, understood that the keys to success are often in the smallest details.

---

NOTES:

• Team USA earned $200,000 for winning the championship, and another $105,000 for winning each of its first three pools. FIVB requires that at least 40% of that money be distributed to the players. A USA Volleyball spokesman declined to reveal how shares will be divided among the Americans.
• Team USA outside hitter Megan Hodge was named the 2012 World Grand Prix most valuable player. She received a check for $15,000.
• McCutcheon must name 12 players to his Olympic roster. It is widely assumed that the following 8 players have already earned spots, though nothing is official:

setter 1: Lindsey Berg (Minnesota)
outside hitter 1: Logan Tom (Stanford)
outside hitter 2: Jordan Larson (Nebraska)
outside hitter 3: Megan Hodge (Penn State)
opposite hitter 1: Destinee Hooker (Texas)
middle blocker 1: Foluke Akinradewo (Stanford)
middle blocker 2: Christa Harmotto (Penn State)
libero: Nicole Davis (USC)

McCutcheon will probably take one more setter, one more middle blocker, one more opposite hitter and either Miyashiro or one more outside hitter. The 9 following players are the likely finalists for the final 4 roster spots: 

setter Courtney Thompson (Washington)
setter Alisha Glass (Penn State)
libero/defensive specialist Tama Miyashiro (Washington)
middle blocker Danielle Scott-Arruda (Long Beach State)
middle blocker Heather Bown (Hawai’i)
opposite hitter Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Long Beach State)
opposite hitter Nancy Metcalf (Nebraska)
outside hitter Kristin Richards (Stanford)
outside hitter Cynthia Barboza (Stanford)

Olympic Volleyball decision looms for two former Washington players

Just two World Grand Prix matches remain; Miyashiro proves worth in tough victory against Turkey

Team USA was struggling.

It was the fourth set; the score was tied 3-3. After handily dispatching Turkey in the first set, the Americans barely hung on in set two, and lost set three.

Although the US was undefeated (11-0) in 2012 World Grand Prix competition, its passing had been suspect the past two weeks, when nine athletes were competing for the final four slots on the 12-member London Olympic roster. Turkey had been on an impressive World Grand Prix run, entering the match with a 9-2 record and a reputation for tough serving.

Viewers watching Internet feeds at 2:00am (Seattle time) got a surprise. The second official, Pedro Fabian of Argentina, was seen removing a blank blue jersey from a plastic sack. Without a translated explanation (the broadcast feed we saw was in Polish), former Washington All-American Tama Miyashiro pulled the jersey over her uniform and took the court, replacing starting libero Nicole Davis (USC).

It was the first time in a month of competition that an American other than Davis had worn the libero jersey.

Tama Miyashiro (left, in blue jersey) and Courtney Thompson (right of Miyashiro) join USA teammates and head coach Hugh McCutcheon in a huddle during the World Grand Prix Final Round match against Turkey

Bill Kauffman, Senior Manager of Communication for USA Volleyball in Colorado Springs, tells Volleyblog Seattle that privacy laws and USA Volleyball policy prohibit comment on injuries or health status unless permission has been granted. But Rule 19.4 of the FIVB rulebook seems to indicate that last night’s Miyashiro-for-Davis switch was possible only if Davis was injured or ill.

Miyashiro played well the rest of the way, helping Team USA to a 3-1 victory. Her spot duty may help head coach Hugh McCutcheon as he fills out the 12 roster spots for the Olympic team. The roster is due on Monday, and is expected to be announced Tuesday or Wednesday. [see Volleyblog Seattle’s roster handicap, below]

Former Husky setter Courtney Thompson is also among those in the running. Although Alisha Glass (Penn State) played most of the Turkey match, Thompson was once again strong during double switches. At worst, she is Glass’s equal in setting and—surprisingly—in blocking, despite Glass’s height advantage. Glass has stepped up her serving, while Thompson has plateaued of late. Thompson, however, maintains a clear advantage in both defense and in intangibles—she is a confident leader where Glass still often seems detached.

Tonight, Team USA faces struggling Cuba. Will Thompson get the start? Will Miyashiro replace Davis if Davis was, in fact, injured? The match starts at 12:30am (Pacific time), and can usually be found on the website www.sportlemon.tv (ignore the “download” buttons and wait about a minute for the initial commercials to play.)

The final 2012 World Grand Prix match pits host China against the USA; it starts Sunday morning at 4:30am.

---

Volleyblog Seattle handicaps the Olympic roster:

	Eight players have likely already earned roster spots:
1.	Setter 1		Lindsey Berg	Minnesota
2.	Outside Hitter 1		Logan Tom	Stanford
3.	Outside Hitter 2		Jordan Larson	Nebraska
4.	Outside Hitter 3		Megan Hodge	Penn State
5.	Opposite Hitter 1		Destinee Hooker	Texas
6.	Middle Blocker 1		Foluke Akinradewo	Stanford
7.	Middle Blocker 2		Christa Harmotto	Penn State
8.	Libero		Nicole Davis	Southern California
	The team will certainly carry one of these two as a second setter; at this point, McCutcheon has to decide which player can provide the spark if Berg falters or is injured. Frankly, Thompson has shown she has what it takes:
9.	Setter 2	-OR-	Courtney Thompson	Washington
			Alisha Glass	Penn State
	The team will likely carry one of these two as a second opposite hitter; Haneef-Park may have a slight edge:
10.	Opposite Hitter 2	-OR-	Tayyiba Haneef-Park	Long Beach State
			Nancy Metcalf	Nebraska
	The team will probably carry one of these two as a third middle blocker; both players are deserving, a difficult toss-up for McCutcheon:
11.	Middle Blocker 3	-OR-	Danielle Scott-Arruda	Long Beach State
			Heather Bown	Hawai’i
	Here’s where it gets tricky. Does the team carry a second defender (Miyashiro) or a fourth hitter (Richards or Barboza)? Miyashiro’s performance after Davis’s injury could be the tipping point in her favor. A longshot possibility: no third middle blocker and two of these three players:
12.	Defensive Spec.	-OR-	Tama Miyashiro	Washington
	Outside Hitter 4		Kristin Richards	Stanford
	Outside Hitter 4		Cynthia Barboza	Stanford

---

2012 World Grand Prix Final Round Standings

(Team USA has already defeated Brazil, Thailand and Turkey; it plays Cuba tonight and China Sunday morning)

1.	USA	3	0
2.	Brazil	2	1
3.	Turkey	2	1
4.	China	1	2
5.	Thailand	1	2
6.	Cuba	0	3

·         Ties among teams with similar W-L records are broken by sets and points won

·         The six finalists had the best record of 16 teams who competed in three round-robin tournaments in venues around the world.

·         Team USA has not yet lost a match in the 2012 WGP, and is seeking its third consecutive title.