Barnett made a great point about Annie Drew in terms of 1st 2 sets and then next was that China could just focus on Drews because the OH's weren't swinging. And when Plummer and Skinner came in, the offense opened up for her even more because they had to respect those USA outsides.
This has been Karch's approach for at least the past 6+ years. Drews just hyper carrying offensively because Karch wants to play 2 DS's on the left along with a libero. Even when he had MBH, she was being brought off the bench for Kim Hill.
Avery actually impressed me because she showed a whole toolkit. During the VNL, she didn't have a solid line shot but she brought that to this game along with the cross smash. I actually liked Poulter and I HATEEEEE HATE HATE HATE the double sub when the score is not that far apart. Bringing in Carlini and Thompson did absolutely no good and just disrupted the little good that we could've had a chance to capitalize on
I've been saying for years now that the USA women's team is SORELY in need of at least one true super-star terminator -- your 'go to' gal who you can throw the ball at in must-have situations, like China's Li Ying Ying or Zhou Ting, or Turkey's Vargus or Karakut, or Serbia's Boskovich. When the USA brand themselves as greater than the sum of their parts, they're really saying "we have no true go-to hitter". Totally agree that Larson shouldn't be on the court, and in fact, on the team. She and Cook are both too under-sized to be effective against teams who all seem to have taller players than the USA. Obogu is WAY undersized for a middle. Even A. Skinner is undersized at 6'1", BUT, she has an explosive jump, and the ability to hit both over and around blocks, and she's very aggressive. The USA needs to be able to field a taller line-up to square off with the superior height of almost every team, except Japan and Korea. Where was Jordan Thompson? During Olympic qualifiers, she showed herself to be the most lethal hitter on the team. Why not switch her over to strong-side hitter, with Drews at opposite? Then Plummer could take the other power spot? Then get Rekke in the middle in place of Obogu, and you've got a truly monster line-up in terms of height.
@@Leileipku For a while, I felt like Drews had the potential and the attributes to be that dominant terminator. She's an amazon woman, she comes in with lots of momentum (which I like a lot), and takes big aggressive rips at the ball almost all the time. Problem is, she pounds the ball straight into the block WAY too often -- something she seems to be doing less than before, but still... One of her weaknesses is in her technique. She brings her hand/arm down and all the way around the back, kind of roundhouse-style instead of swinging her arm forward and straight up to cock it back. That action 'might' generate more power, but is very inefficient and inflexible. I also wonder if she really works hard on her vertical jump and explosiveness/quickness in the approach, it might take her to another level...
@@djbenje4019 YEAH…and USA lost to China several times at this cycle, especially in 2023 and 2024 VNL. I still remember last time Drew played with China but been blocked for many times and their services interrupted her a lot. I actually think that team USA did a great job to find a way to limit the great middle blockers of China this time. Yuan XY and WANG YY were usually lethal to any of the team
Yeah Plummer so tall he could have used to intimidate the right side. I think he tried to make a statement by putting on the 2020 gold team to start, but they failed 😅
@@Super_Ronnie3628 USA need to win a straight set against Serbia, to which its quite impossible, for them to advance to QF. If China beats Serbia in str8 sets, then USA may have a chance to advance. Still a slim chance for them though.
Justine was amazing after the 1st/2nd. I think when Jordan and Kelsey are in, she hesitates. With Kathryn and Avery, she does her job and is in her element.
@@lulo3155 Ding should not have been selected over the younger setters. Zhang was never great and can't be relied on to play the entire game. Someone younger would have been better.
@@el222 I am a Chinese ，American friend, and I think I know more about the Chinese women's volleyball team than you do. Firstly, the bench (substitute) ability of the Chinese women's volleyball team is not as good as that of the United States. The reason why Ding Xia still went to the Olympics is because we don't have a very outstanding setter in our country. In terms of Olympic experience, Ding Xia is considered formidable. There is a Chinese saying that goes: "Choose a general from among the lame.
@@joblessskin As for Zhang Changning, although she faded out after getting married for a period of time, her level still maintains a considerable part, at least she has the ability to receive the first pass and serve. Zhang Changning is a very excellent athlete.
Rob can't seem to comprehend that China has a lot of talent & capable of beating any top team. Not saying they're better than everybody else but they've been playing below their skills since Tokyo for many reasons.
And Rob overestimated the USA claiming that experience will lead to winning this pool. The starting line up had the most experienced players and yet they didn’t deliver lol
@@el222 Yes the coach is the problem. He doesn't know how to make adjustments when his team is not performing well. Also, he insists on keeping #14 in the team, she is bad even as a sub player. Their U21 team has better opposites than #14, but for some reason Cai likes Zheng.
This is Karch’s greatest flaw. He is trying so hard to replicate the Larson-Bartsch duo that succeeded in Tokyo that he fails to see that it is not working in this current squad. He needs to make use of his current roster and adapt a new style. He has very offensive OHs like Plummer and Skinner. He needs to utilize them to ease Drew’s burden.
I've said it before the game - Thompson is waste of time,Drews was good but she needs a breath and replaced for couple min/or entire set ! The new generation of OPP s is a must ! Maddy is one of them
I've noticed other teams are doing a "high" spike just to touch the tip of tge opponents' fingertips to save a point but the US team doesn't apply it. And the middle spiker doesn't divert the ball to the side when she knows she is blocked. The should play smart.
I agree with 90% of this but Avery skinner has proven she’s a better choice rn in the outside spot esp if yall watched the VNL 😂 but skinner AND Plummer both needed to get subbed in earlier
Rotations and starting lineup made no sense to me. I would rather lose with USA young talent OH and Center than playing the same people hoping for different results.
Everybody ought to calm down and put this game into perspective. 102-102, 2-point loss in a 5-set nailbiter. In the end, someone has to lose, but these two teams were evenly matched.
this is something I've been talking about for the past 6 months. our OH's are simply not even top 50 players at this point. The biggest difference this set was our pins couldn't.....or should i say wouldn't do anything. Karch cannot wait 2 sets and be so stubborn to not sub in their more aggressive swingers.
In volleyball, unlike any other sport, the coach has huge impact: from the lineup, to the use of subs, to the timeouts, to the strategy and scouting, and the direct real-time feedback during play. No other sport has as much coach involvement. I know this because I coach volleyball.
Idk who the younger male commentator is but even he was pointing out stuff we’ve all seen since vnl. Karch didn’t learn anything from vnl? Larson/cook is the worst pairing! Plummer and skinner are young but they aint scared…plummer has enough experience. Play your newer players! Obogu is not better than dana rettke atm! Someone needs to save us from kiraly
Overall, I think this was a very solid analysis. Going to disagree on the Skinner sentiment. I think if the location of sets are better, she can show her range of shots a bit more, even if she does prefer cross. Unfortunately, I think Poulter’s location faltered at times which played a large factor in not allowing opportunities for the leftsides to be terminal (Skinner and Plummer). Drews had a fantastic match. Offense was very one dimensional for the 1st, 2nd, and 5th. Very easy to read when middle was getting set. Washington served very well. Great to get a point, but if proper subs were made earlier, I believe this match goes a much different way
If you watch any skinner game good set or bad set she does not have range. She showed it in vnl. Don’t let this bad game fool you her line shot is very weak for the most part and her cross is strong but diggable
😢 She played a bad 2 sets but has just had the best season of her career for the best team in the world. She had a terrible 2 sets that might cost her Olympic starting position. She earned hers. Always the bridesmaid tho. 😒🥺
I dunno why Cook is still there? Larson is enough as a senior, experienced player but Cook? I can't forget the Rio 2016 Semis match vs Serbia, she made a huge mistake there.
@@SylverJanBPrior Exactly. Cook and Adams were the reasons why USA lost in the semifinal in Rio, because Adams could not serve the ball to save her life, she kept sending the ball to the net when serving ... Cook made huge mistakes in the 5th set in Rio in the semifinals. And to think that Karch had to take Hill off the court and put Cook to play in those crucial moments is insane, hence the results, Karch is really bad at choosing his starters. Cook has never been a good player. it's why Kiraly at some point made her a libero for the team, because she is only good at receiving and passing the ball. She usually just tips the ball, that's her MO when she plays. Frantti was robbed. Frantti should be in Paris, not Cook.
@@rl8275 you’re right. I think Frantti left the national team because I watched this year’s USA cup Netherlands vs USA and frantti was not in any roster on those three games. I don’t blame her if she quit. Frantti is a fearless and aggressive player and scores more points than cook. Cook has always been overrated.
@@topjer3045 I took a selfie with Frantti at the USA CUP vs. Turkiye in 22. She's very nice. At least she's still with Vakifbank. They have a good lineup, so it'll be exciting to watch!
@@SylverJanBPrior cook is one of the best passers on the planet that's why. She compliments Plummer perfectly, but having two reception based outsides who aren't great at attacking is a weird move
You both are really sharp at commenting! One thing i would give the credit to team US is the ability of players like Washington to serve aggressively... if one wants to destroy the China wall, u must bring down their receiving system..and US almost did that! Diao is good at setting if the ball is perfect, but man, she is a hot mess once d first ball is out of system! If US wants to win against Serbia, the open hitter must do something outstanding! Their open hitters wont be fed much, boskovic will run the show... middle blockers hv to buck up and i really wish to see team US hv the gut to go all out and smack down Serbia..
Coach Kiraly always goes for experience and loyalty. I also think his assistant coaches are not that good since Jaime and Lukas left. Poulter was also very inconsistent in her locations and decisions.
Exactly. He coaches this like a high school team, absolutely disgusting. You have the most blue chip talents available to you in the world, and instead he only picks and plays his minions. Whole coaching staff needs to go. Inexplicable that we haven't been developing/playing our elite prospects: Eggleston, Nunneviller, Samedy, Gray/Hilley, Hentz...and even more so that others aren't even on the roster at all: Edmond, Chausee, Stivrins, etc. These players have dominated in college and are dominating in the new American leagues. Not having them on the roster or getting minutes in the national team is a disservice to the sport that is FINALLY starting to grow in the U.S.
@@t20sgrunt36could this be true but you can’t deny that Plummer could have been the best option to replace her spot. What a shame for the coach! USA would have won! And now USA is at the verge of losing the title!
@@disguyb yes they all need to go! Gutted really, even during VNL! He didn’t utilize Plummer when in fact Plummer was able to put down Eguno during Club’s tournament, and yet coach kiraly ignored it and yes they lost. Really frustrated to watch team USA having a coach who sticks to his minions
I think ppl were underestimating Team China. BUT GUYS, after ZHU and ZHANG came back they are not the team we know for 2023 VNL anymore….EVEN they were in 2023, much weaker form, they got silver in that game
I don't know why you'll think larson still on her prime? She literally should have been remain in retirement or play or do coaching. This is different 3 ot 4 yrs ago! Frantti should have been there and karch should have been developing her young quad!
In my honest opinion, Team USA has no dominant pin hitters anymore, and we don't pass well enough to compete with the top teams. We lack a dominant physical presence to drive the team forward. The top teams like Brazil (Gabi), Italy (Egonu), Poland(Wolosz), Japan (Koga) and China(YingYing Li) have that. With any of these teams, when you need a point scored you know who's going to get set. When we need a point scored, who does Poulter set? Who at any pin will go get the point when we're out of system? Karch played with extreme fire, he demanded alot from his teammates but even more from himself, his players need to play that way too. Its not too late.
USA actually played better in last 3 sets. It’s just Li Ying Ying scored 4 in a row in 5th set that changed the game. So it’s not exactly anyone’s fault. The game could have gone either way. By the 4th set i was so sure US gonna win it until that Li YY moment.
Woah woah woah. Hold the front door let’s give the serve receive some respect on the team. I can see why he has Larson on the team even if her offensive game wasn’t on, her serve receive is elite. Now, should she have been subbed out sooner of course. Should Retke be starting, YES. Why have your tallest player on the bench?
@@gladysgreen2 there’s not too much production from the USA middles anyway so I mean offense would be great but putting her against China’s biggest blocker I think would be pretty smart on a defensive level.
we had zero blocking, why not play Dana Rettke at all? praise to justine, but if we had more effective blocking, there wouldnt be so much need for dramatic digs. lauren carlini is the better setter too. i agree this is all on the coaching decisions
The thing that I realized with the Chinese team is that in this match, they didn’t even use their other go-to OH #9 Zhang Changning and in the right bottom there in the photo incredible setter Ding Xia, didn’t even play. China won with a tired LYY and Zhu. How much more if these 2 played, Zhang and Ding Xia! Imagine. In the USA side, thank goodness for Drews, maybe that Japanese swiftness and efficiency rubbed off on her during her time with JT Marvelous, cause she was playing like a mighty roadrunner but taller! Haha. Ogbogu was a bit flashy for me, but fails. Poulter? bro… no comment smh! JWO-Larson defense was well-needed and keeping things down. Man, I miss MBH and the reliability of Kim Hill. Hehe.
@@el222 Zhang has WAAYYY better reception and passing than Wu. Also Zhang’s attacks from the middle back row is such textbook beach volleyball form! Haha. Try watching the VNL2024 with China winning a reverse sweep against Turkey, when the chinese coach has had enough of Wu’s dismal contributions in transition. Zhang came in and like magic, great reception, great passing, attacked- reverse sweep! China won from 2 sets down. A wonderful example of how an opposite could be a source of great floor stability while scoring! Wu never subbed in after that, lolz!! Wu reminds me a bit of Serbia’s MB Stevanovic, can score so-so, less crafty, and can also be noticeably useless on moments when they should be useful! Surely Wu will improve, I see passion in her eyes, I dont doubt her capabilities. Let’s just wait for her to grow up a bit.
@@el222 I still think Zhang is more efficient attacking and of course defending than Wu. When Wu played at the VNL she was getting digged and she also missed the court a lot. So far Wu has been a disappointment, at her age LYY, Zhu, and Zhang were way better than Wu. If Wu doesn't improve, she will end up being another Wang Yunlu.
He absolutely did. He went too conservative and "safe" with his lineup decisions in the first two sets. He waited too long to make the necessary changes. Left better options at home/as alternate for the "old reliable" no matter their level of game or fitness. He really need someone behind him to challenge his gameplay adjustments and specially his roster management.
I don't know why Kendall Kipp has never played with the Senior Team. Tall, Big Hitter...why!? It should've been a Stanford/Texas mix since after Tokyo..Plummer, Grey, Hentz, Kipp, Skinner, O'neal. Not sure if they'll be in the loop for 2028 LA... frustrating. Larson was good for a couple of matches in the VNL, but not playing professionally for a year, same with Poulter is evident. Cook should have been put on the back burner after Rio, but the coaches are pretty dedicated to their core. Beating Serbia is not statistically great given the US's performance this year, but it ain't over yet!!
@@Glare469 Her & Franti!, who i believe is no longer with the National Team according to the USA Website. Kipp was a high scorer her first season with Italian Superleague & Pro Federation. I don't get it...
At VNL 2024? Well China did suck at that time. The players did not gel well with each other, maybe the coach was a factor as well. But China toward the end of the VNL and in the Olympics 2024 has been more consistent and composed.
We can second guess all we want, but starting out a big event conservative is understandable. It’s not like he stuck to what’s not working all the way to the end; and it’s not like Plummer is incapable of having a bad game more likely than Robinson Cook.
General guys I do not generally commit on your video's. I watched live Karch is at fault comply living in the passed. Just listen to commentary from the match. Kelly and Jordan hurt the team in this match. As well Carlini should have been setting. It is just like not allowing Hancock who has a top jump serve to be used. Then after first set he should have put in Carlini Plummer Skinner and Reettke in middle. Poulter set everything to Kelly Jordan. Then she can not dick like Carlini set as fast. I said they should have gotten rid of Karch after last Olympics.
US had a bad match but these guys are giving way too much praise for China whos has been very inconsistent. China is not a top 4 team. They will not make the final for sure.
China is a strong team, and everybody knows that. You gotta respect that. It’s just game 1, dont be like the rest here who are panicking. Look what happened in rio 2016, team china lost in all pool matches but eventually won the gold medal. The people here are half casuals half upset from the loss over a near win. Serbia is not top 4 either, but they ain’t a walk in the park. Lots of serbia supporters online around as well and the worst are turkish, make sure you go after them too
China will win the medal gold! Guaranteed! .. no offense ok! I m not even from China.. my prediction came after seeing how they played the game vs USA yesterday.. in fact they could crushed USA at the 3rd game but their team got scrambled.. unorganized! USA needs to have a strong young generation players., they r too old now
Why such a title? I think Kiraly did a wonderful job switching outside hitters from the set 3, otherwise USA would have lost in straight sets. Plummer and Skinner did well to replace Cook and Larson. This is what I admire the USA squad, you have a lot of players to use, the substitutes are as equally good.
Fired rhe coach thats all As indonesian big fan of Team USA I WAS SO MAD WHEN I SEE LARSON AND DREW HOW TO PLAY ITS SO WEAK NO BIG PUNCH THE BALL SINCE VNL 2024 EVEN THEY PLAY SO WEAK ITS TIME TO CHNAGE THE COACH AMD THE OLD TEAM USA THEY LOOK MUCH BETTER THEN THIS TEAM AT THE MOMENT
Woah woah woah where do you get this confidence to undermine Serbia? Sure, maybe they will lose. But Serbia is a solid team with podium placements from Worlds to Olympics. Careful now! Also, Boskovic is better than all of Team USA combined haha
Karch is an old man, he never achieved anything. Both of you guys know much more about volleyball than him. He's a DEI hire. I'm glad the internet has the two of you to mansplain it to the rest of us.
@@ndomingo2906 oh really? Is it so? They literally acted it so vividly for no block touch! Not admitting it is one thing, but acting and denying it so strongly as they did in the match is a whole another level! Losers !
@@Leileipku China heavily relies on their main players, USA's squad depth is better, they have more players to use, and their substitutes are as equally good. Plummer and Skinner did well to replace Cook and Larson.
Barnett made a great point about Annie Drew in terms of 1st 2 sets and then next was that China could just focus on Drews because the OH's weren't swinging. And when Plummer and Skinner came in, the offense opened up for her even more because they had to respect those USA outsides.
This has been Karch's approach for at least the past 6+ years. Drews just hyper carrying offensively because Karch wants to play 2 DS's on the left along with a libero. Even when he had MBH, she was being brought off the bench for Kim Hill.
Avery actually impressed me because she showed a whole toolkit. During the VNL, she didn't have a solid line shot but she brought that to this game along with the cross smash. I actually liked Poulter and I HATEEEEE HATE HATE HATE the double sub when the score is not that far apart. Bringing in Carlini and Thompson did absolutely no good and just disrupted the little good that we could've had a chance to capitalize on
Agree! About the double sub. Killed the momentum and felt like tinkering
I've been saying for years now that the USA women's team is SORELY in need of at least one true super-star terminator -- your 'go to' gal who you can throw the ball at in must-have situations, like China's Li Ying Ying or Zhou Ting, or Turkey's Vargus or Karakut, or Serbia's Boskovich. When the USA brand themselves as greater than the sum of their parts, they're really saying "we have no true go-to hitter". Totally agree that Larson shouldn't be on the court, and in fact, on the team. She and Cook are both too under-sized to be effective against teams who all seem to have taller players than the USA. Obogu is WAY undersized for a middle. Even A. Skinner is undersized at 6'1", BUT, she has an explosive jump, and the ability to hit both over and around blocks, and she's very aggressive. The USA needs to be able to field a taller line-up to square off with the superior height of almost every team, except Japan and Korea. Where was Jordan Thompson? During Olympic qualifiers, she showed herself to be the most lethal hitter on the team. Why not switch her over to strong-side hitter, with Drews at opposite? Then Plummer could take the other power spot? Then get Rekke in the middle in place of Obogu, and you've got a truly monster line-up in terms of height.
Can’t agree more….. there is no superstar in the team and it won’t lead you to the final
Thats not usa volleyball. It has its weaknesses. Usa has bad coaching right now, no player is going to save that
@@Leileipku For a while, I felt like Drews had the potential and the attributes to be that dominant terminator. She's an amazon woman, she comes in with lots of momentum (which I like a lot), and takes big aggressive rips at the ball almost all the time. Problem is, she pounds the ball straight into the block WAY too often -- something she seems to be doing less than before, but still... One of her weaknesses is in her technique. She brings her hand/arm down and all the way around the back, kind of roundhouse-style instead of swinging her arm forward and straight up to cock it back. That action 'might' generate more power, but is very inefficient and inflexible. I also wonder if she really works hard on her vertical jump and explosiveness/quickness in the approach, it might take her to another level...
@@djbenje4019 YEAH…and USA lost to China several times at this cycle, especially in 2023 and 2024 VNL. I still remember last time Drew played with China but been blocked for many times and their services interrupted her a lot. I actually think that team USA did a great job to find a way to limit the great middle blockers of China this time. Yuan XY and WANG YY were usually lethal to any of the team
The closest superstar you can get for now is the governor hehehehhe. Love her by the way!
Rob, completely agree with you. Everett always seem so happy to comment on a USA bad game. 👍🏻
Which is normal, because everybody hate the US.
I still don’t get it, coach Kiraly seemed like he was still experimenting!? Why he didnt utilize Plummer in the first place!!! What a bummer!!!
So gutted! USA would have won!!!
Yeah Plummer so tall he could have used to intimidate the right side. I think he tried to make a statement by putting on the 2020 gold team to start, but they failed 😅
@@Super_Ronnie3628 USA need to win a straight set against Serbia, to which its quite impossible, for them to advance to QF. If China beats Serbia in str8 sets, then USA may have a chance to advance. Still a slim chance for them though.
In your dream maybe? Sour loser @@bryanparrocha3819
The Coach of China also very stupid. He should replace Gong by Zhang CN and the match would be 3:0
Justine was amazing after the 1st/2nd. I think when Jordan and Kelsey are in, she hesitates. With Kathryn and Avery, she does her job and is in her element.
Mind you Chinese didn't even use Zhang Changning and Ding Xia yet 😭
Ding Xia's recent performance has declined and there is no threat.
Zhang didnt play O many years even she play O got pull out replace by Lan ping
@@lulo3155 Ding should not have been selected over the younger setters. Zhang was never great and can't be relied on to play the entire game. Someone younger would have been better.
@@el222 I am a Chinese ，American friend, and I think I know more about the Chinese women's volleyball team than you do. Firstly, the bench (substitute) ability of the Chinese women's volleyball team is not as good as that of the United States. The reason why Ding Xia still went to the Olympics is because we don't have a very outstanding setter in our country. In terms of Olympic experience, Ding Xia is considered formidable. There is a Chinese saying that goes: "Choose a general from among the lame.
@@joblessskin As for Zhang Changning, although she faded out after getting married for a period of time, her level still maintains a considerable part, at least she has the ability to receive the first pass and serve. Zhang Changning is a very excellent athlete.
I can feel Rob’s anger hahahahaha
Rob can't seem to comprehend that China has a lot of talent & capable of beating any top team. Not saying they're better than everybody else but they've been playing below their skills since Tokyo for many reasons.
@@el222I think that’s why it was surprising. You don’t know who we will get on Team China.
And Rob overestimated the USA claiming that experience will lead to winning this pool. The starting line up had the most experienced players and yet they didn’t deliver lol
@@el222 Yes the coach is the problem. He doesn't know how to make adjustments when his team is not performing well. Also, he insists on keeping #14 in the team, she is bad even as a sub player. Their U21 team has better opposites than #14, but for some reason Cai likes Zheng.
@@jy3754 absolutely. Zheng has shown pretty much nothing when she did play, so I was shocked to see her on the roster.
I was shocked Plumber and Robinson could not bring their a games to the Olympics.
This is Karch’s greatest flaw. He is trying so hard to replicate the Larson-Bartsch duo that succeeded in Tokyo that he fails to see that it is not working in this current squad. He needs to make use of his current roster and adapt a new style. He has very offensive OHs like Plummer and Skinner. He needs to utilize them to ease Drew’s burden.
This is spot on.
I've said it before the game - Thompson is waste of time,Drews was good but she needs a breath and replaced for couple min/or entire set ! The new generation of OPP s is a must ! Maddy is one of them
Congratulation China win usa
No cook and larson in first six steak with plummer and skinner they are strong
I've noticed other teams are doing a "high" spike just to touch the tip of tge opponents' fingertips to save a point but the US team doesn't apply it. And the middle spiker doesn't divert the ball to the side when she knows she is blocked. The should play smart.
I would prefer Lanier over Larson in Olympics
She should retired ! She play so weak
Larson brings has so much intangibles that Lanier’s tangibles don’t make up for
I agree with 90% of this but Avery skinner has proven she’s a better choice rn in the outside spot esp if yall watched the VNL 😂 but skinner AND Plummer both needed to get subbed in earlier
Rotations and starting lineup made no sense to me. I would rather lose with USA young talent OH and Center than playing the same people hoping for different results.
Everybody ought to calm down and put this game into perspective. 102-102, 2-point loss in a 5-set nailbiter. In the end, someone has to lose, but these two teams were evenly matched.
this is something I've been talking about for the past 6 months. our OH's are simply not even top 50 players at this point. The biggest difference this set was our pins couldn't.....or should i say wouldn't do anything. Karch cannot wait 2 sets and be so stubborn to not sub in their more aggressive swingers.
I just can't believe Karch Kiraly leave Lanier and Frantii at home. USA needs to find another coach. Maybe Coach from Italy.
This is a team effort.Coach is the tip of the pyramid. Congrats to China. They showed crafty effort to win this game.😊
The coach makes a huge difference
In volleyball, unlike any other sport, the coach has huge impact: from the lineup, to the use of subs, to the timeouts, to the strategy and scouting, and the direct real-time feedback during play. No other sport has as much coach involvement. I know this because I coach volleyball.
Lol ok China bot
Idk who the younger male commentator is but even he was pointing out stuff we’ve all seen since vnl. Karch didn’t learn anything from vnl? Larson/cook is the worst pairing! Plummer and skinner are young but they aint scared…plummer has enough experience. Play your newer players! Obogu is not better than dana rettke atm! Someone needs to save us from kiraly
China is not a bad team. They won the Olympics gold medal three times in history.
Overall, I think this was a very solid analysis. Going to disagree on the Skinner sentiment. I think if the location of sets are better, she can show her range of shots a bit more, even if she does prefer cross. Unfortunately, I think Poulter’s location faltered at times which played a large factor in not allowing opportunities for the leftsides to be terminal (Skinner and Plummer). Drews had a fantastic match. Offense was very one dimensional for the 1st, 2nd, and 5th. Very easy to read when middle was getting set. Washington served very well. Great to get a point, but if proper subs were made earlier, I believe this match goes a much different way
If you watch any skinner game good set or bad set she does not have range. She showed it in vnl. Don’t let this bad game fool you her line shot is very weak for the most part and her cross is strong but diggable
Karch Kiraly should have left Jordan Larson home or brought her as part of the coaching team, and add Ally Franti to the roster.
Agree with you. Putting Larson and Cook as OH in starting line up is a very bad decision because both of them can't swing.
Jordan Larson is STILL on the Olympic team!!?? omg smg 2024!?
Kelsey Robinson Cook needs to go, today’s match prove it.
😢 She played a bad 2 sets but has just had the best season of her career for the best team in the world. She had a terrible 2 sets that might cost her Olympic starting position. She earned hers.
Always the bridesmaid tho. 😒🥺
Time to call it a career for USA, Kelsey.
I dunno why Cook is still there? Larson is enough as a senior, experienced player but Cook? I can't forget the Rio 2016 Semis match vs Serbia, she made a huge mistake there.
@@SylverJanBPrior Exactly. Cook and Adams were the reasons why USA lost in the semifinal in Rio, because Adams could not serve the ball to save her life, she kept sending the ball to the net when serving ... Cook made huge mistakes in the 5th set in Rio in the semifinals. And to think that Karch had to take Hill off the court and put Cook to play in those crucial moments is insane, hence the results, Karch is really bad at choosing his starters. Cook has never been a good player. it's why Kiraly at some point made her a libero for the team, because she is only good at receiving and passing the ball. She usually just tips the ball, that's her MO when she plays. Frantti was robbed. Frantti should be in Paris, not Cook.
@@rl8275 you’re right. I think Frantti left the national team because I watched this year’s USA cup Netherlands vs USA and frantti was not in any roster on those three games. I don’t blame her if she quit. Frantti is a fearless and aggressive player and scores more points than cook. Cook has always been overrated.
@@topjer3045 I took a selfie with Frantti at the USA CUP vs. Turkiye in 22. She's very nice. At least she's still with Vakifbank. They have a good lineup, so it'll be exciting to watch!
@@SylverJanBPrior cook is one of the best passers on the planet that's why. She compliments Plummer perfectly, but having two reception based outsides who aren't great at attacking is a weird move
You both are really sharp at commenting! One thing i would give the credit to team US is the ability of players like Washington to serve aggressively... if one wants to destroy the China wall, u must bring down their receiving system..and US almost did that! Diao is good at setting if the ball is perfect, but man, she is a hot mess once d first ball is out of system! If US wants to win against Serbia, the open hitter must do something outstanding! Their open hitters wont be fed much, boskovic will run the show... middle blockers hv to buck up and i really wish to see team US hv the gut to go all out and smack down Serbia..
Coach Kiraly always goes for experience and loyalty. I also think his assistant coaches are not that good since Jaime and Lukas left. Poulter was also very inconsistent in her locations and decisions.
Forgot to mention… I missed Hancock on the court. I feel like she is the most creative and quickest of the setting trio.
@@liposinapati1836 Yeah, sets seemed off. And sadly, the vets just weren't getting it done early. Also, I think we're missing Barton-Hatch.
Exactly. He coaches this like a high school team, absolutely disgusting. You have the most blue chip talents available to you in the world, and instead he only picks and plays his minions. Whole coaching staff needs to go. Inexplicable that we haven't been developing/playing our elite prospects: Eggleston, Nunneviller, Samedy, Gray/Hilley, Hentz...and even more so that others aren't even on the roster at all: Edmond, Chausee, Stivrins, etc. These players have dominated in college and are dominating in the new American leagues. Not having them on the roster or getting minutes in the national team is a disservice to the sport that is FINALLY starting to grow in the U.S.
@@t20sgrunt36could this be true but you can’t deny that Plummer could have been the best option to replace her spot. What a shame for the coach! USA would have won! And now USA is at the verge of losing the title!
@@disguyb yes they all need to go! Gutted really, even during VNL! He didn’t utilize Plummer when in fact Plummer was able to put down Eguno during Club’s tournament, and yet coach kiraly ignored it and yes they lost. Really frustrated to watch team USA having a coach who sticks to his minions
Alright my man, let’s pool some budget for Santerelli to replace KK! Not Lavarini cause I am liking what he’s done to Poland now!
Maybe Americans should hire the Chinese coach again. She certainly is one of THE best.. players or coaches.
I think ppl were underestimating Team China. BUT GUYS, after ZHU and ZHANG came back they are not the team we know for 2023 VNL anymore….EVEN they were in 2023, much weaker form, they got silver in that game
I don't know why you'll think larson still on her prime? She literally should have been remain in retirement or play or do coaching. This is different 3 ot 4 yrs ago! Frantti should have been there and karch should have been developing her young quad!
In my honest opinion, Team USA has no dominant pin hitters anymore, and we don't pass well enough to compete with the top teams. We lack a dominant physical presence to drive the team forward. The top teams like Brazil (Gabi), Italy (Egonu), Poland(Wolosz), Japan (Koga) and China(YingYing Li) have that. With any of these teams, when you need a point scored you know who's going to get set. When we need a point scored, who does Poulter set? Who at any pin will go get the point when we're out of system? Karch played with extreme fire, he demanded alot from his teammates but even more from himself, his players need to play that way too. Its not too late.
Carlini should set. Paulter is still hesitating and being careful beacuse of her past injury
Should they have put Hancock in the line up instead of Poulter?
@@thatstupidthing7154 wow prescient! this happened and was the exact opposite of what @Massai7367 said first
I thought Carlini’a sets were off the mark, but I feel like she can adjust as the game goes.
@@thatstupidthing7154Hancock should be there over Poulter because she’s not 100% and that’s Karch’s fault
USA actually played better in last 3 sets. It’s just Li Ying Ying scored 4 in a row in 5th set that changed the game. So it’s not exactly anyone’s fault. The game could have gone either way. By the 4th set i was so sure US gonna win it until that Li YY moment.
Woah woah woah. Hold the front door let’s give the serve receive some respect on the team. I can see why he has Larson on the team even if her offensive game wasn’t on, her serve receive is elite.
Now, should she have been subbed out sooner of course.
Should Retke be starting, YES. Why have your tallest player on the bench?
Rettke is tall, and I love her, but she doesn't seem to have the power to terminate on offence.
@@gladysgreen2 there’s not too much production from the USA middles anyway so I mean offense would be great but putting her against China’s biggest blocker I think would be pretty smart on a defensive level.
we had zero blocking, why not play Dana Rettke at all? praise to justine, but if we had more effective blocking, there wouldnt be so much need for dramatic digs. lauren carlini is the better setter too. i agree this is all on the coaching decisions
The thing that I realized with the Chinese team is that in this match, they didn’t even use their other go-to OH #9 Zhang Changning and in the right bottom there in the photo incredible setter Ding Xia, didn’t even play. China won with a tired LYY and Zhu. How much more if these 2 played, Zhang and Ding Xia! Imagine. In the USA side, thank goodness for Drews, maybe that Japanese swiftness and efficiency rubbed off on her during her time with JT Marvelous, cause she was playing like a mighty roadrunner but taller! Haha. Ogbogu was a bit flashy for me, but fails. Poulter? bro… no comment smh! JWO-Larson defense was well-needed and keeping things down. Man, I miss MBH and the reliability of Kim Hill. Hehe.
@@andicoco2318 also miss Kim Hill!
I'd put Wu Mengjie ahead of Zhang. Not as experienced but younger and more upside. Wu is shorter but her wingspan is much bigger than Zhang.
Wu needs more playing time but in my eyes, she is the next superstar.
@@el222 Zhang has WAAYYY better reception and passing than Wu. Also Zhang’s attacks from the middle back row is such textbook beach volleyball form! Haha. Try watching the VNL2024 with China winning a reverse sweep against Turkey, when the chinese coach has had enough of Wu’s dismal contributions in transition. Zhang came in and like magic, great reception, great passing, attacked- reverse sweep! China won from 2 sets down. A wonderful example of how an opposite could be a source of great floor stability while scoring! Wu never subbed in after that, lolz!! Wu reminds me a bit of Serbia’s MB Stevanovic, can score so-so, less crafty, and can also be noticeably useless on moments when they should be useful! Surely Wu will improve, I see passion in her eyes, I dont doubt her capabilities. Let’s just wait for her to grow up a bit.
@@el222 I still think Zhang is more efficient attacking and of course defending than Wu. When Wu played at the VNL she was getting digged and she also missed the court a lot. So far Wu has been a disappointment, at her age LYY, Zhu, and Zhang were way better than Wu. If Wu doesn't improve, she will end up being another Wang Yunlu.
He absolutely did. He went too conservative and "safe" with his lineup decisions in the first two sets. He waited too long to make the necessary changes. Left better options at home/as alternate for the "old reliable" no matter their level of game or fitness. He really need someone behind him to challenge his gameplay adjustments and specially his roster management.
I don't know why Kendall Kipp has never played with the Senior Team. Tall, Big Hitter...why!? It should've been a Stanford/Texas mix since after Tokyo..Plummer, Grey, Hentz, Kipp, Skinner, O'neal. Not sure if they'll be in the loop for 2028 LA... frustrating. Larson was good for a couple of matches in the VNL, but not playing professionally for a year, same with Poulter is evident. Cook should have been put on the back burner after Rio, but the coaches are pretty dedicated to their core. Beating Serbia is not statistically great given the US's performance this year, but it ain't over yet!!
Agree with you. Thank GOD Kendall Kipp will play in Vakifbank in the next club season.
@@Glare469 Her & Franti!, who i believe is no longer with the National Team according to the USA Website. Kipp was a high scorer her first season with Italian Superleague & Pro Federation. I don't get it...
@@rl8275 wait what? Both of them left USA National Team?
@@Glare469 I think just Frantii. Kipp was on the VNL roster, but has yet to make a debut.
Franti > Larson
Madi Skinner > Thompson or place her in the OH position once she gets pro experience.
Asija O Neal needs to be there next Olympics
Thompson can't play OH because her reception skill is really bad.
how long Kirarly as a head coach ? tokyo gold just a lucky times coz many teams injured and didnt play well
Absolutely right !
Also frantti were better than larson or robinson. Kiraly made mistake. Even lanier better than larson. Sorry but she is old!
I remember u said "China Sucks" when team Canada won that match.
At VNL 2024? Well China did suck at that time. The players did not gel well with each other, maybe the coach was a factor as well. But China toward the end of the VNL and in the Olympics 2024 has been more consistent and composed.
Hayleigh washington,poulter,annie drew, skinner ,jordan thompson and wong orantes is the dream team we need... Who agrees with me?
Unfortunately, Kiralky's work in this Olympic cycle was very bad.
1:47 "To my face"
We can second guess all we want, but starting out a big event conservative is understandable. It’s not like he stuck to what’s not working all the way to the end; and it’s not like Plummer is incapable of having a bad game more likely than Robinson Cook.
Im glad it wasn’t just me
put avery skinner on the starting line up.. shes good💪🏼
Aishia ONeal should be on this team...and Madi Skinner on the bench! Talk about explosive! Plummer and Skinner from here out.
General guys I do not generally commit on your video's. I watched live Karch is at fault comply living in the passed.
Just listen to commentary from the match. Kelly and Jordan hurt the team in this match. As well Carlini should have been setting. It is just like not allowing Hancock who has a top jump serve to be used.
Then after first set he should have put in Carlini Plummer Skinner and Reettke in middle. Poulter set everything to Kelly Jordan. Then she can not dick like Carlini set as fast.
I said they should have gotten rid of Karch after last Olympics.
It is time to bring in the new players. Lanier should have been on the team versus Larson.
US had a bad match but these guys are giving way too much praise for China whos has been very inconsistent. China is not a top 4 team. They will not make the final for sure.
China is a strong team, and everybody knows that. You gotta respect that. It’s just game 1, dont be like the rest here who are panicking. Look what happened in rio 2016, team china lost in all pool matches but eventually won the gold medal. The people here are half casuals half upset from the loss over a near win. Serbia is not top 4 either, but they ain’t a walk in the park. Lots of serbia supporters online around as well and the worst are turkish, make sure you go after them too
China will win the medal gold! Guaranteed! .. no offense ok! I m not even from China.. my prediction came after seeing how they played the game vs USA yesterday.. in fact they could crushed USA at the 3rd game but their team got scrambled.. unorganized! USA needs to have a strong young generation players., they r too old now
Early to say bro
After all, I think USA women team is the most talented & very promising team in this olimpic.
Italy and Turkey do not agree.
Why such a title? I think Kiraly did a wonderful job switching outside hitters from the set 3, otherwise USA would have lost in straight sets. Plummer and Skinner did well to replace Cook and Larson. This is what I admire the USA squad, you have a lot of players to use, the substitutes are as equally good.
Hahaha 😂 Brazil will win again...
China was a better team on that day.
Kelsi and Carlini were killing it in the vnl and olympic qualifiers, and then poulter starts?!?! None of the line up made any sense
USA will defeat Serbia, still can go further. 😊
Larson was offensively passive from the start. Very frustrating to watch
Not brutal tho. 3:2 is a really close battle.
Fired rhe coach thats all
As indonesian big fan of Team USA I WAS SO MAD WHEN I SEE LARSON AND DREW HOW TO PLAY ITS SO WEAK NO BIG PUNCH THE BALL SINCE VNL 2024 EVEN THEY PLAY SO WEAK ITS TIME TO CHNAGE THE COACH AMD THE OLD TEAM USA THEY LOOK MUCH BETTER THEN THIS TEAM AT THE MOMENT
Over all just okay your best and enjoy your game , not then you guy go home very soon
Hear me out Dunning/Cook/Rose….no? Maybe? Okay cool 😅
Brutal? It's a normal thing in volleyball
Just a game. You can’t always win.
U.S. can’t win to even Bronze Medal.
呢個教練一見到有李盈莹佢就腳仔輭，一有李盈莹多數都輸波😂
make America great again😂😂😂😂
US won against Serbia, not bad.
i think china and usa will qualified to quarter final , usa will beat serbia easily...
Woah woah woah where do you get this confidence to undermine Serbia? Sure, maybe they will lose. But Serbia is a solid team with podium placements from Worlds to Olympics. Careful now! Also, Boskovic is better than all of Team USA combined haha
They play so weak ! Even try to tip them but go to their hand
We lost accept it. is just a game.
Karch is an old man, he never achieved anything. Both of you guys know much more about volleyball than him. He's a DEI hire. I'm glad the internet has the two of you to mansplain it to the rest of us.
Surprisingly to know that US cares about women volleyball...
Kelsey more focused on a RUclips career. What’s the value add, at this point?
Drews and Poulter deserved the best actress award, two cheaters trying to steal points from China 🇨🇳, but slapped in the face by video challenge 😅
That’s a dumb comment, Andy!
@@ndomingo2906 oh really? Is it so? They literally acted it so vividly for no block touch! Not admitting it is one thing, but acting and denying it so strongly as they did in the match is a whole another level! Losers !
Yaaas! That was so hilarious!!!hahah “OMG” I didn’t touch it!
To be fair, China has better players especially OH and Middle blockers. But their Coach seems dumb or it would be a straight 3:0.
@@Leileipku China heavily relies on their main players, USA's squad depth is better, they have more players to use, and their substitutes are as equally good. Plummer and Skinner did well to replace Cook and Larson.
USA coach is way better than Chinese coach still .