WILD CHOICES FOR USA VOLLEYBALL OLYMPIC TEAM

Everett Delorme and Rob St. Claire react to the VERY early and potentially controversial announcement of the USA men's volleyball roster that will represent Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!!
From Episode 121 of The 9x9: • VNL SEASON IS HERE! | ...
Instagram: / volleyballsource2.0
#volleyball #olympics #usavolleyball

[@fleeptough7714]

Ensing has been unreliable. Can't believe he elbowed Patch in Tokyo, and 3 years later, we still get nothing from Ensing.

[@bryce2588]

Speraw deserves this shitstorm for not picking Patch 🤷🏽

[@lacynylons6317]

I am happy with the roster, Ma’a and Averill making it to the team.

[@simplysimple7628]

One thing that is is concerning to me that has been concerning for a few years now is the OPP position. The United States is in dire need of help in that area. Matt Anderson is in a league of his own. Legendary status. HUGE shoes to fill. Pretty much only Kyle Ensing and Jake Hanes. Neither of them are nearly as efficient. Tough call.

[@123RememberReach]

I agree. I think the only player I can think of who could've at least been a strong candidate was Ben Patch but obviously that's no longer a possibility anymore

[@TheBundalian]

@@123RememberReach Did Ben Patch retire from volleyball?

[@ImVee10]

Hanes is a bum. (Check my avatar.)

[@Lucalaurin]

​@@123RememberReach I think in terms of athleticism sure but Patch was never super strong technically. He could shine in Germany because he could overpower the teams there with his jump and power but he never developed much range or the ability to play off the block effectively. I still have strong hopes that Garcia is gonna become that player. Stats wise his season in the superlega was not that bad. I hope he can recover in Spain and come back strong.

[@simplysimple7628]

@@123RememberReach Ben is very inconsistent. Kinda wild. Doesn’t have great contact at the peak of his swing. Hits alot of flat balls. But he makes up for that with his leaping ability so he can contact the ball more on top instead of a high snap like Anderson does. But boy is Anderson a huge part of the team. Without him the team is just not as efficient. Besides Clay Stanley, he is arguably the best OPP hitter in USA volleyball history. It’ll be interesting in the next few years. 😬🥴

[@alvyhernandez1931]

Zero "wild choices" 😂

[@sophieco5847]

Exactly

[@t20sgrunt36]

I mean, 2 middles are def on the older side, and having two more great middle in the wings is a great approach to keep everyone fresh. So many good vets too, and likely last Olympics.

[@nanabish2388]

I totally agree with them about how using this older and experienced players can get us win the gold, being and experiencing players makes them have strong mentality plus we all know how talented they are so they do have a chance of winning gold, let’s go USA

[@1stSeedVolleyball]

Plot twist: Ben Patch comes out of retirement to fill the backup oppo spot

[@msmoxiemadison]

That was almost the VNL 2023 team.

[@MrEndocytosis]

What’s surprising is the USA’s inability to develop a young OH. No offense to Garrett, but have they not been able to develop anyone else in the last 8 years?

[@osminreina8164]

Es algo cultural en U.S.A como les cuesta las transición en Basketball en SOCCERS y vóleibol ..teniendo los mejores semilleros del mundo

[@spasiba12345]

TJ DeFalco is a world class outside hitter. 27 years old. Joined Team USA in 2015.

[@fleeptough7714]

Every position in USA is enable to develop young players. It has been ages but we still don't see any suitable replacement for Matt, but, I would like to see Speraw or whoever the head coach in the next cycle to put more responsibility on Hanes. Because between Hanes and Ensing, Hanes for me is better in all aspects.

[@nickpirrotta34]

theres some great outsides coming out of college

[@jperquin4780]

@@nickpirrotta34 But imo they never get enough time in the team

[@Lucalaurin]

I have to say I don't really see a scenario where France makes it to the Olympic final. Sure they have the home court advantage but they're lacking the consistency. N'Gapeth has had a very very unimpressive club season and Patry is inconsistent and tends to fold under pressure. Sure Grebennikov and Chinenyeze are shining strong but I don't see it being enough to carry them to the final. I don't see France beating Poland, USA or Italy and they'll probably have to beat one to get to the final. I think people are also underestimating Japan, my money is on them going home with a trophy.

[@bryce2588]

Jokes on you bcs Patry did well and France just won gold on the VNL and is on their way for a back to back Gold on the Olympics

[@gissneric]

I'm glad they went with just one opposite. I don't think Ensing or Hanes is there yet. If Gabi Garcia started to play with the NT a few years back, he could get a spot in this lineup in exchange for Garret.

[@yosefochoarosales3274]

This reminds me a little bit of the 2008 women’s olympic roster, they struggled a bit without a sub but at the end they did a great job.

[@taketimeandfind6]

I'm so confused with how any of these are surprises...?

[@MrShaban444]

When will the olympics start in France?

[@munaiverse7662]

Honestly, I am not sure the US will go into a 'dark age' (barring their opposite player which they definitely need a new one). Ma'a seems like he is becoming a contender for the top setters in the world soon, Tj is the same, and Averill and Jeff are getting a lot better. Averill was also on fire this club season, too. And here is a shout I don't hear many people: Gage Worsley for Team USA's lib once Erik retires. He seems to be extremely good from the few plays I have seen from him. Tho, his vibes aren't all there compared to Erik who has the most pristine of vibes. Time will tell, tho. If we can get the Oppo and lib positions boxed off, I have a feeling we may actually go into a golden era of team USA volleyball.

[@dalebarro2230]

Can someone please answer me why does Matt Anderson keep getting blocked!? Like why are the us men losing did they not just win two tournaments recently what’s happening!?!?😢😢😢

[@NathanNazareno-qz3ur]

What happened to Josh Tuaniga, been getting back into following mens vball both national and collegiate. I thought at this point it would be tuaniga as the starting setter for USA

[@peannuutt5428]

Yeah tuaniga is good, but Christenson is probably the best setter to ever touch the USA team, also height, micah's got an extra 3 inches on him which is important

[@Irfirt]

Tuniga had injury and played pretty poorly in Polish league. Micah Maa had good season and he is much more athletic and better in defense than Tuaniga. Josh was setting much worse this season than Micah

[@lilnbigman]

They didn't take Gabi who is Matties back up. That being said yes they do have a back up, which now every team has an extra there in case someone gets her. I agree with the middles he should be there, Smith, him, Max. Now what is a shocker in DM who does not even play pro volleyball. Kyle again is still the opposite as I said he will be in France.

[@joshgershenfeld6728]

Great video 👏👏👏. Agree it’s gold or bust. Too deep, too experienced, too talented to go home empty handed again. No more excuses, team is loaded.

[@jperquin4780]

Every position is aging. I dont see this USA team being anywhere in a few years if they keep this up. Hopefully the VNL will change my opinion.

[@lisiatew]

What is shocking about this roster?

[@binhnguyen-usa8311]

Deep roster. No issues here!

[@justiceequality7407]

Ben Patch would have been a great addition, but unfortunately, the head coach doesn't like him... and no offense, No to Ensing ... Ben Patch would be a good replacement for Matt in the future...

[@Likethatsfubtg]

I’m still confused why y’all are so surprised

[@OzzyTragic]

Let's go seppos! This is getting me hyped for the olympics.

[@MikeC-qd3mi]

No Brazil 🇧🇷???

[@mylesgarcia4625]

You two are OVER-thinking this. Like you guys KNOW better than Speraw and his team? DeFalco can be a sub-OPP. Ensing is not quite the level of Matt Anderson yet.

[@MrEndocytosis]

Because Speraw did a bang up job the last Olympics.

[@mylesgarcia4625]

@@MrEndocytosis Oh, and you can do better? Then tell me why he's the coach of UCLA and the National Team--and you aren't?

[@MrEndocytosis]

@@mylesgarcia4625 there are a lot of other coaches who can do a better job he’s a good talent aggregator. When the playing field is even his strategy falls flat. I’ve been watching him since he had hair.

[@mylesgarcia4625]

@@MrEndocytosis As I said, easy for you to be an armchair analyst. But USA Volleyball still trusts him and there's NOTHING you can do about it, is there??

[@spasiba12345]

@@MrEndocytosis Team USA did beat France in the opener of pool play. When they lost to Russia 3-1, each set loss was by two points. They missed a ton of serves, but to me, it just seemed like they wanted it too much, that they tried too hard. Speraw has led the USA to podium finishes many times.

[@WhiteStain87]

If Defalco starts against the best teams, team USA will fail again

[@spasiba12345]

DeFalco is a world class outside hitter. He and Aaron Russell will start at outside hitter for the USA. My guess is that DeFalco is basically the backup OPP. He's a smart player with Earvin N'Gapeth type shot-making and he can pound the ball.

[@efrainjaime8302]

Team USA...DO NOT HAVE Matt Anderson...SUSSESOR...BEN PATCH.....YOUNG,STRONG POWERFUL....UNFORTUANTELY ....WHERE IS BEN PATCH.....?????????

[@nickpirrotta34]

gay

[@Destamoon]

@@nickpirrotta34 not wrong but the correct term is retired

[@howdymisters7463]

Italy won’t win since they didn’t qualify

[@lkahd3456]

They r probably going to qualify through the Europe ranking still

[@DutchTubeWizard]

Since they are the highest positioned team on the FIVB world ranking (3rd) that did not yet qualify, they will almost certainly qualify. Only a disastrous VNL would put that in jeopardy

[@travisbrown9936]

They will qualify based off of their world ranking

[@spasiba12345]

@@DutchTubeWizard Italy has such a storied volleyball history. Podium finishes and enough trophies to fill up an arena. Puzzling that they have never won Olympic Gold.

[@DutchTubeWizard]

@@spasiba12345 They came close in Atlanta just to lose the 5th set 15-17 to The Netherlands.

[@NathanNazareno-qz3ur]

What happened to Josh Tuaniga, been getting back into following mens vball both national and collegiate. I thought at this point it would be tuaniga as the starting setter for USA

[@ivohbyronkuizon5430]

Ma'a better

[@Itstime1231]

Micah Ma’a is a better setter and Micah Christensen is still the best. Josh isn’t as athletic as either and all seem to be great setters