Bush's Blog Men's Preview; USA vs. Tunisia

by Phil Bush

Phil Bush, FIVB Broadcaster

Over the previous three decades, you'd be hard pressed to find someone in athletics with a greater level of expertise in volleyball production and promotion than Phil Bush.  He will be entering his fourth year working for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as a broadcaster on the FIVB “Match of the Week.”  He has also handled 17 seasons working for FSN South, ESPNU, CSS and Sun Sports providing both play-by-play and color analysis on volleyball broadcasts.  Through his MavRen Marketing & Productions company, Bush has worked in the production and promotion of volleyball events for over 25 years. 


                                                   

vs.

Monday, 3PM ET

 

Team USA has it all laid out for them as they take on win-less Tunisia on Monday.  Win the match and they win the pool.  Can Tunisia play with the USA?  Not really, BUT - this is the Olympics where all things are possible.  Do I think that the Tunisians can win the match?  No, but with the USA tied with Russia and Brazil, it comes down to math.  The USA should win this match...and pretty easily at that. 

However, some of the things that slowed them down against Russia are areas that the team will focus on, not just for winning the pool, but for getting better and being ready for a tough quarterfinal match.  To be in the top eight at the Olympics is good, but the USA has shown they can beat the best teams.  Some of the things that happened against Russia will be worked on for the Tunisia match and beyond.   Make no mistake, the heat will be on in Earls Court for all teams, and the USA has the chance to move forward in great shape!

Hamza Nagga

The Tunisians know they are in over their head.  Leading scorer Hamza Nagga says:  “We always try to do our best and impose our style of play. The objective of Tunisia is to play match after match. Our strategy is to play the points and not think about the matches.”   

This team is happy just to be at the Olympics and cannot consistently play with most of the teams they have faced.  They know they will be leaving London without moving on, and that's okay.  To take a set from the USA would be epic for this team!  That is the danger, and volleyball is the kind of sport where a small amount of momentum can be enough to take you over the top.  That is the worry for Team USA. 

A few key points for the USA in this match and beyond:

Focus on the USA side of the net: This is a chance for the USA to not only win a match but to focus on all of the things that have put them in the position to win the pool and go further in this tourney.  Nothing in the quarterfinals will be easy, but this match gives the USA a chance to refocus on their side of the net.

Team USA looks to rebound against Tunisia

Close the door!  The USA had a difficult time closing out points and sets against Russia.  Get in the habit NOW of closing the door on teams.  Since we are about to get to the point where the tournament becomes “win or go home," it is time to amp up the intensity and use the Tunisia match as a tune-up for the remainder of the tourney.  The first step is if their opponent is down, take them out!

Focus on transition play: Great teams transition and do it regularly.  The USA has done a lot of this, but were not as clean during the Russia match.  Again, use Tunisia as the springboard to be transitioning well.

Get back to error-free volleyball.  Too many mistakes against the Russians opened the door.  Now the USA has a chance to focus on what won them matches against Serbia, Germany and Brazil: minimizing errors!

Either way, Team USA will move forward.  Soon I'll be writing about a winnable quarterfinal match with the USA having won the pool!


Follow the AVCA and USA Volleyball on Facebook and Twitter (@AVCAvolleyball, @USA_Volleyball)!