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Shojis are Rio Bound (gostanford.com) - JJJ - 06-21-2016

Congrats to the Shoji family!

Quote:Stanford men’s volleyball alums Kawika and Erik Shoji have been named to the 12-man U.S. Olympic Team roster, USA Volleyball announced Tuesday.

Kawika (’10) and Erik (’12) become the ninth and 10th Olympians in program history. The pair helped guide the Cardinal to its second national title in 2010. A three-time All-American, Kawika was named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2010, while Erik became the first four-time AVCA First Team All-American in the history of the honors

http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30600&ATCLID=211027591

Re: Shojis are Rio Bound (gostanford.com) - FarmBoy - 06-21-2016

From the little I've followed, it sounds like Erik will be the starting libero, which is not a surprise. It doesn't sound like Kawika is the starter at setter. ANyone have insight?

Re: Shojis are Rio Bound (gostanford.com) - Mick - 06-22-2016

Kawika was a great setter, but Micah Christensen will set for the American Olympic team.

The starting setter will be Micah Christensen who grew up playing beach volleyball in Hawaii where he was Player of the Year as a senior.  He was a four year starter at USC, three time All American, three year captain and two-time winner of the Lloy Ball award for the best collegiate setter. 

“Micah has a bright future with the U.S. team. He plays with poise and resolve. He listens well and is easily coached.” – Lloy Ball, four-time Olympic setter with the U.S. Men’s Team and 2008 gold medalist

I've been watching Micah play since he was 12.  When he was 16, he was the youngest setter for the Youth National Team.  He started for the U. S. Men in 2014 when they won the World FIVB Cup.  In 2013, he was supposed to play for the Junior National Team ,but was called up to the Senior National Team, an exceedingly rare event.  He was named best setter at the 2015 FIVB World Cup where the Americans won for the first time in 30 years.  Erik Shoji was named best libero at that cup.

At 6'3", Kawika is short for this level of competition, where the setter often has to block the best hitter on the opposing team.  Christensen is 6'6" and puts up a very strong block.

Other young players to watch; Taylor Sander of BYU, easily the best player of the year ahead of Christensen's, and Aaron Russell who probably won't start but is a very strong outside and played for Penn State.

Re: Shojis are Rio Bound (gostanford.com) - FarmBoy - 06-22-2016

Thanks for the insight, Mick. I'm more of a casual fan but do follow the MVB as close as anything outside of football. That team led by Kawika to win the NCAA championhip was so much fun to watch. It's too bad I won't likely see him set more in the Olympics, but not surprised he's not #1.

Can you confirm Erik will be starter at libero? There was little more exciting them seeing him dig a hit inside the ten foot line to foil an opponents sure point. And then there's this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0gZQq_tyLE

I also watched some of Sanders in college and the guy is unbelievable. Truly a phenom. I can't wait to watch the Olympics team.


Re: Shojis are Rio Bound (gostanford.com) - Mick - 06-22-2016

(06-22-2016, 05:58 AM)FarmBoy link Wrote:Can you confirm Erik will be starter at libero?

Well I don't know who will start for sure and a big caveat is that a lot of players will get a lot of playing time, including starting time, to rest legs.  But I am calling this the gold medal team in the Olympics.  They are that talented, they have great chemistry, and their long time coach, John Speraw is one of the very best.

In the most important matches, my best guess is that the starting lineup will be:

Opp  Matt Anderson of Penn State will start at right side/opposite.  Was the youngest player on the 2012 Olympic team.  Has been our leading scorer every year since 2011.  Moved from OH to oppo in 2013.  12'3" attack jump, he's 6'9"  From NY.
L      Erik's the best libero I've seen in a looong time and he is the only libero on the team.  That's confidence.  If he goes out, it will be one of the OH's.  Named Best LIbero in 2015 World Cup.  6'0".
S      Micah Christensen will start at setter.  6'6"
MB    Max Holt.  Named #1 blocker at 2014 all star team of the Grand Champions.  Leading blocker and server.  Third leading scorer on men's team.  6'9"
MB    David Lee of Long Beach State, has been on two Olympic teams, won World League medals in 2008 and 2014, named Best Blocker in 2014.  Scored four of the final five points against Russia in the 2008 Olympic final.  6'8"
OH    Aaron Russell.  Leading scorer against Argentina in World Cup Final.
OH    Taylor Sander.  Shortest pin hitter at 6'4", but amazing leap.  Might be the best pure hitting talent.  2014 Rookie of the YEar, best server on the squad, has been a starter since 2014.

Incidentally, the top five teams in order are:

1.  Brazil
2.  Poland
3.  Russia
4.  Italy
5.  USA, but coming up fast...

Next five are Argentina, Bulgaria, Iran, Germany, Canada and France.

Rankings are based upon the five most recent important competitions, including the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 World Championships, the 2015 World League, the 2015 World Cup and the 2015 Continental Championship.  The USA won the World Cup, finished second in the World League, fifth in the Olympics, seventh in the World Championships and did not participate in the Continentals.