Coach Knipe’s World Cup Squad

Same set of players except one returnee.

USA’s men’s volleyball coach Alan Knipe has released the 20 player preliminary roster for the upcoming 2011 World Cup taking place in Japan next month.

According to this article “The preliminary roster is highlighted by nine players from the 2008 U.S. Men’s Team that won gold medals at the Olympic Games and FIVB World League: setter Kevin Hansen, libero Rich Lambourne, middle blocker David Lee, middle blocker Ryan Millar, outside hitter and team captain Reid Priddy, outside hitter Sean Rooney, libero Riley Salmon and opposite Clay Stanley.”

Most players are currently overseas but are expected to return in early November to start training for the World Cup, the first Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The roster will be cut down to 14.

We really hope Coach Knipe will give his young players more playtime. Young guns like Holt, Holmes and Patak deserve the chance to shine and build confidence playing against the best teams in the world. He needs to develop these players and can’t keep on relying the veterans.

Evan Patak in particular hasn’t been a starter in any major FIVB tournament since he joined the team. He’s been a serving substitute which is not enough for him to develop as a strong, confident and reliable opposite hitter. Evan looks hungry so we pray to the volleyball gods to enlighten Coach Knipe’s not-so-effective sytem. For sure, King Stanley won’t mind sharing the spotlight with Evan. Right Clay?

On the other hand, this roster has extremely talented outside hitters led by none other hand King Reid Priddy, Matt Anderson, Sean Rooney and Paul Lotman. These players are playing in world class leagues this season so for sure their experience overseas will help them with their game.

As long as they remain healthy, USA has among the best outside hitters for the World Cup.

We’re really betting on Max Holt and Russell Holmes to make the cut together with the great David Lee. We’d be sad if Russellito and Thunder Holt won’t go to Japan. In our opinion, Ryan Millar has lost his touch. It’s about time to pass the torch to the younger generation. No offense to Millar and to his fans out there but we’re just saying.

Now, let’s talk about the opposite hitters. King Stanley is still Team USA’s main weapon – no doubt about that. But we have a feeling that Evan needs to step up his game because David McKienzie is back after leaving the team 4 years ago. David appears to be very determined to be on the final roster. Even Coach Knipe agrees by saying “Dave is playing at a high level. This gives us three really good opposites.” He’s got 3 opposites but only 2 will make it. Better bring your A-Z game Evan!

With 4 setters on the roster, this is going to be tough.

Brian Thornton really surprised us at the 2011 World League. He played with so much confidence and determination throughout the tournament. He’s got the hands to lead Team USA but like what Paul Sunderland and Kevin Barnett said during the WL “Brian needs to improve his blocking.” We’re optimistic he’s improving his blocking knowing that he’s playing in the Polish League this season against great players. Hansen is playing in Turkey but he has limited playtime due to league’s policy of allowing only 2 foreign players in the starting 6. Suxho, the veteran and 2004 Olympian, is in Italy playing for Treviso. We really hope he is 100% back in shape. He was injured earlier this year. Winder has been quiet lately but he can surprise us.

Lambourne is still the top libero unless Coach Knipe wants to bring a backrow specialist and that would be Riley Salmon.

This is just our opinion on the roster. No offense intended.

FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup 2011
U.S. Men’s Preliminary Roster

No. Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College)

1 Matt Anderson (OH, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State)
2 Sean Rooney (OH, 6-9, Wheaton, Ill., Pepperdine)
3 Evan Patak (Opp, 6-8, Pleasanton, Calif., UC Santa Barbara)
4 David Lee (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Calif., Long Beach State)
5 Rich Lambourne (L, 6-3, Tustin, Calif., BYU)
6 Paul Lotman (OH, 6-7, Lakewood, Calif., Long Beach State)
7 Donald Suxho (S, 6-5, Korce, Albania, USC)
8 Reid Priddy (OH, 6-5, Richmond, Va., Loyola Marymount)
9 Ryan Millar (MB, 6-8, Alpine, Utah, BYU)
10 Riley Salmon (L, 6-6, League City, Texas, Pierce College)
11 David McKienzie (Opp, 6-4, Littleton, Colo., Long Beach State)
12 Russell Holmes (MB, 6-8, Fountain Valley, Calif., BYU)
13 Clay Stanley (OPP, 6-9, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Hawaii)
14 Kevin Hansen (S, 6-5, Newport Beach, Calif., Stanford)
15 Brian Thornton (S, 6-3, San Clemente, Calif., UC Irvine)
16 Jayson Jablonsky (OH, 6-5, Yorba Linda, Calif., UC Irvine)
17 Max Holt (MB, 6-9, Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn State)
18 Scott Touzinsky (OH, 6-6, St. Louis, Mo., Long Beach State)
19 Jonathan Winder (S, 6-8, Irvine, Calif., Pepperdine)
20 David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., UC Irvine)

The names in bold are our choices for the Final Roster.

Regardless on who would make it to Japan, we’re still optimistic that Team USA will play their best volleyball to win a spot in the Top3 and qualify for the 2012 Olympics. It’s going to be a tough tournament for Reid Priddy and Team but anything can happen. We really hope they win a medal. The last time Team USA won a major major tournament was the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics under Coach Hugh McCutcheon.

It’s been a longggggggggg time.

Do You Think Team USA will finish in the Top 3 at the World Cup?

Maybe 4th or 5th.

(source: USA Volleyball/ images: FIVB)