Vanguard 17-1 won the St Louis bid tournament this past weekend, which I believe is the first time an Ohio team has won a bid tournament of that size. Vanguard won Florida Fest recently, but is a MUCH smaller tournament. Very impressive performance from them. It also appears that barring any At-Large bids they will be the only Ohio team competing in Open Nationals
Anyone have any insight on why the Vanguard 18-1's can't compete? With Cowan, Clark, and Mikesch, can't imagine too many teams with that kind of firepower.
I wouldn't add Bowling. I checked the roster last year and he was on Vanguard 17's and they did not do as well as this year. He got added to 18-1 and they have tanked all year. Coincidence? I think not. Mikesch is very good and could help the 17's, but I wouldn't mess with the mojo.
Anyone have any insight on why the Vanguard 18-1's can't compete? With Cowan, Clark, and Mikesch, can't imagine too many teams with that kind of firepower.
I wouldn't add Bowling. I checked the roster last year and he was on Vanguard 17's and they did not do as well as this year. He got added to 18-1 and they have tanked all year. Coincidence? I think not. Mikesch is very good and could help the 17's, but I wouldn't mess with the mojo.
Bowling is a hot head.. If he is on he is tough to stop, but if he isn't then it's not good.
The biggest struggle with Vanguard 18-1 I'm saying would most likely be the Middles. Ohio doesn't really have a stud middle in the state. Yes there are some decent ones, but nothing even remotely close to Melsop from last year... Let alone a Kelso.
Btw I think Gallagher and Mikesh are the best two liberals in the Vanguard system overall.
17-1s could argue for a top 10 seed at nationals, and a finish there too. 18-1s for vanguard has a good argument for an at large. They have plenty of talent but can't put it together.
The 17-1s will be a team to be reckoned with next year. They will gain Gerwig, a high-flyer and is becoming a strong pin hitter. They already have Woodson, Brinkerhoff, and Topp. Bowling may not see much playing time because those hitters are far more consistent and have a much smaller egos. Bowling also struggles on serve receive and has his work cut out for him in the offseason to earn a starting position.
They gain Mikesch, Salmons, and Margevicius which adds significant depth in their back row. Next year I won't be surprised if they keep Gallagher down because he is only a sophomore.
A potential issue for next year will be the 18-1 team cannot have more than 4 players from a high school (Darby). They will have to choose between Salmons, Lee, Bowling, Brinkerhoff, and Moldovan.
To comment on the LIBEROS(sorry my autocorrect got me).. Mikesh is pretty darn good. My argument for Gallagher is that he is very consistent on serve receive which has always been a problem for Vanguard against higher level teams.
For the 18-1 I believe the issues surround the lack of middles(moldovlan(spell check again??) is very good but a year younger, and that does make a big difference in guys for a physical position like that).. And Bowling. He is rumored to be a pain to play with. Yes he is good.. But a total head case.
Between the five Darby players listed.. It'd be who won the libero battle.. But straight up it'd be between taking a less talented Wyatt Lee or a head case in Bowling. I'd say Bowling would get left off.
Anyone have a play out of OVR results. What do you think the 17-1 will finish? I personally think they can do great but not sure as they can be inconsistent at times
Bowling did make the USA A1 National training team, so clearly the potential is there. Coaches and scouts much more experienced then you or I can see it. I'll agree that right now he is probably talked up too much, but saying he should be left off Vanguard 18-1 team next year doesn't add up.
Bruggemann (sp?) from Attack 18-1 and Moeller is the best middle in the state, followed by Yates from Attack 18-1 and St X.
Next year, Vanguard 18 will add Mikesch and Bowling. Not sure Gerwig would see the court for that team though.
Going back to the point about Kelso and Fanfulik Vanguard team being best Ohio club team ever. Someone on here a while back that two players by the name of Max Holt and Steve Kehoe played on the same Cinci Attack team and had quite a bit of success at the national level. Think they might have an argument for the best club team from Ohio distinction
I am thinking the only ones talking Bowling up are the ones bashing.....you are correct in saying that he will most definitely not be left off the 18-1 next year.
Leave the talent evaluations to the ones who have him on VG 18-1 this year and on USA A1.
It is rumored that Vanguard is interested in the Indy Assault 17-1 Setter and trying to bring him to Columbus next year which would explain leaving Wyatt Lee off that team.