Will the US men’s National Team be ready for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro? After a disappointing finish in the World Championships in Poland, you have to wonder somewhat about the US men. After all, they won the World League Championship in Italy by a 3 – 1 score over Brazil just two months ago in Italy. Unfortunately, though, the US men never quite seemed to “put it all together” in Poland. The team chemistry and communication seemed slightly out of kilter and, at times, there appeared to be an issue with focus on the court.
With a strong nucleus of Max Holt and David Lee in the Middle, Matt Anderson at Opposite, Erik Shoji at Libero, Taylor Sander at one Outside Hitter, and Micah Christenson setting, the US team is solid in six of seven starting positions for 2016, barring injury. However, the US has to have more firepower and consistency from the second Outside Hitter position. Sean Rooney, who is rumored to be injured, may be the difference between “Gold” and “Also Ran” in 2016 if he is able to play.
Coach Speraw is a talented, resourceful, and intelligent coach who will undoubtedly solve these issues and have the US team running on all cylinders in Rio de Janeiro. The competition will be intense, however, and the US will need additional depth beyond these six standouts if it is to win the Gold or even medal.
The New Polls
| Rank This Week | Rank Last Week | NAIA Women – 9/23/2014 | Record |
| 1 | 1 | Rocky Mountain College (MT) | 15 – 2 |
| 2 | 2 | University of Texas Brownville (TX) | 14 – 1 |
| 3 | 3 | Concordia University – Irvine (CA) | 16 – 1 |
| 4 | 4 | Park University (MO) | 16 – 0 |
| 5 | 6 | Biola University (CA) | 12 – 4 |
| 6 | 7 | Northwestern College (IA) | 16 – 2 |
| 7 | 5 | Columbia College (MO) | 17 – 2 |
| 8 | 8 | Viterbro University (WI) | 18 – 3 |
| 9 | 9 | Madonna University (MI) | 17 – 2 |
| 10 | 10 | Midland College (NE) | 12 – 3 |
| Rank This Week | Rank Last Week | NCAA Division I Women – 9/22/2014 | Record |
| 1 | 1 | Stanford University (CA) | 10 – 0 |
| 2 | 2 | University of Texas (TX) | 8 – 0 |
| 3 | 3 | Penn State University (PA) | 12 – 1 |
| 4 | 5 | University of Washington (WA) | 11 – 0 |
| 5 | 4 | University of Wisconsin (WI) | 9 – 1 |
| 6 | 6 | Florida State University (FL) | 11 – 0 |
| 7 | 8 | Colorado State University (CO) | 12 – 1 |
| 8 | 9 | University of Nebraska | 6 – 3 |
| 9 | 10 | University of Southern California (CA) | 7 – 3 |
| 10 | 7 | University of Florida (FL) | 6 – 3 |
| Rank This Week | Rank Last Week | NCAA Division II Women – 9/22/2014 | Record |
| 1 | 1 | University of Tampa (FL) | 8 – 1 |
| 2 | 3 | University of Minnesota – Duluth (MN) | 12 – 1 |
| 3 | 2 | Concordia University – St. Paul (MN) | 9 – 2 |
| 4 | 6 | BYU – Hawai’i (HI) | 5 – 3 |
| 5 | 4 | University of Nebraska – Kearney (NE) | 10 – 1 |
| 6 | 9 | Wheeling Jesuit University (WV) | 11 – 1 |
| 7 | 8 | SW Minnesota State University (MN) | 7 – 4 |
| 8 | 5 | Washburn University (KS) | 10 – 1 |
| 9 | 7 | CSU – San Bernardino (CA) | 6 – 2 |
| 10 | 12 | Wingate University | 10 – 1 |
| Rank This Week | Rank Last Week | NCAA Division III Women – 9/23/2014 | Record |
| 1 | 1 | Hope College (MI) | 10 – 0 |
| 2 | 3 | California Lutheran University (CA) | 12 – 1 |
| 3 | 2 | Emory University (GA) | 15 – 2 |
| 4 | 7 | Washington University – St. Louis (MO) | 16 – 2 |
| 5 | 4 | Calvin College (MI) | 13 – 3 |
| 6 | 8 | Wittenberg University (OH) | 8 – 3 |
| 7 | 5 | University of Mount Union (OH) | 13 – 1 |
| 8 | 6 | Juniata College (PA) | 12 – 2 |
| 9 | 12 | Christopher Newport University (VA) | 14 – 1 |
| 10 | 10 | Colorado College (CO) | 14 – 2 |
Well, the lyrics to “Peace of Mind” by Boston just popped into my head. “I understand about indecision, but I don’t care if I get behind. People livin’ in competition, all I want is to have my peace of mind. Take a look ahead…” Let’s grow the game together.
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