First Look @ Team USA!

They are training really hard!

Well, we expect Team USA to perform better this year. Since winning the World League and the Olympics in 2008, Coach Knipe’s squad has not medaled at any FIVB tournaments. USA finished 6th at the 2009 World League, 8th at the 2010 World League, 6th at the 2010 World Championship and missed the 2009 Grand Champions Cup since they lost the NORCECA crown to Cuba.

Knowing that 8 teams will now qualify for the Final Round of the World League, USA has a bigger chance of making a trip to Poland for the Finals but it won’t be easy since they have Brazil, Poland and the debutants Puerto Rico in Pool A.

Regardless of how strong their pool is, we still hope and we remain optimistic for Team USA to medal.

After missing half of the 2010 World League and the 2010 World Championship due to injury, Donald Suxho (2004 Olympian) is finally back in the mix! Knowing that Lloy Ball has officially rested his laurels, does Suxho have what it takes to set and carry Team USA? We hope so!

We were informed that since his return to the US earlier this year after leaving his Russian club team, Suxho has been training very hard in the gym. That’s great to hear! He definitely has the skills and the experience to succeed the legendary Ball. As long as he doesn’t get hurt, then for sure we’d see a lot of Suxho this season.

The other setters on the squad are 2008 Olympic gold medalist Kevin Hansen, Jon Winder and Brian Thornton.

Well hello there Mr. Evan Patak!

We hope Coach Knipe is reading this post because we’d want him to know that he needs to rest Clay Stanley and give Patak more playtime this season. Don’t get us wrong, we admire the great Stanley but for sure he won’t mind sitting on the bench while giving Patak the chance to shine and gain experience.

If you remember last year, Stanley never had the chance to rest because Coach Knipe didn’t have or didn’t give the other opposite hitters a starting position. It was all Clay at the World League and World Championship. The MVP from the 2008 Olympics needs a break just like god getting one on Sundays.

Giving Patak more playtime and a starting position will increase his confidence as the team’s go-to hitter or one of the team’s go-to hitters. Seriously, Patak had a great season in Korea and it’s about time we see more of him with the US Team. We don’t want to see him subbing for someone just to serve. We want to see him play from start to finish!

As long as BB remains focused and determined to prove that he’s got what it takes to play for Clay’s position, for sure Coach Knipe will grant his our wish.

Clay Stanley and Gabe Gardner (He’s Back!) are the other opposite hitters.

This is a very critical year for Team USA since the Olympics is just a year away. They have to win the Norceca Continental Championship to qualify for the 2011 World Cup. If USA finishes in the Top 3 then they get a ticket to play in London. But we have to remember that the Norceca Zone is getting tougher. Cuba is now the best team in the zone but might not be that strong anymore since Leal, Simon and Hierrezuelo left the team. There’s also Puerto Rico who has what it takes to defeat Cuba and USA as long as they have another Hector Soto on their team. Let’s not forget Canada too!

This pic reminds us of Cyclops and Professor X. Kidding!

Matt Anderson, Reid Priddy, Paul Lotman and Sean Rooney are the main outside hitters of the team. Where’s Salmon? Since Alfred Reft has retired, Riley Salmon might be the other libero on the team together with Rich Lambourne & Dustin Watten. Team USA also has Robert Tarr, Jason Jablonsky (who won the Greek League) and Scott Touzinsky (who finished second in the German League).

Anyways, Reid Priddy is Reid Priddy. He is one of the world’s best outside hitters and his presence on the team is very valuable. No doubt. Reid guides the youngsters and shows them how it’s done. Agree?

Reid had a very long season in Russia this year. He was traveling in and out of Russia for the Champions League and finished with a silver medal. After the Champions League, Reid and Zenit Kazan played in the Russian Super League and won the crown.

In case Reid needs to rest, Coach Knipe has the other 6 to count on. Anderson, Rooney and Lotman played in Italy this season and performed really well. Although none of them made it to Semifinal Round of the Italian League, these talented players gained valuable experience and the league exposed them to playing with and against the world’s best athletes.

We really hope they will bring their AAA game this year.

Yes, that’s Murphy Troy aka the AVCA Player of the Year. He’s not on the roster but he’s training with the team.

Coach Knipe doesn’t need to worry about his middle players. He’s got David Lee, Russell Holmes, Ryan Millar, Max Holt and David Smith. If we were to choose our starting middles, they would be Holmes and Max Holt. Just like Stanley, for sure D-Lee won’t mind giving someone the opportunity to shine.

Holmes played great in the Brazilian League and led his team to a spot in the Final 4 and eventually finished 4th. On the other hand, the young and talented Max Holt played in Italy and was his team’s most efficient spiker. With Smith and the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the mix, it’s going to be tough for Knipe to pick his 2 starting middles. For sure he’s going to make the right choices. Right Coach?

(Our gorgeous friend Geena took this pic after the scrimmage. Thank you G!)

We really hope they’d do well this season. Knipe has a stronger group compared to last years. We hope he can find the right mix to compete at the World League and hopefully bring home the gold, silver or bronze.

Side Dish: Team USA had a scrimmage last Saturday to prepare for the World League and to allow fans to see before they start traveling in and out of the country. Click THIS for the complete info.

Thoughts on Team USA?

We’d like to thank Erin Wahlen from the City of Anaheim for the pics!