This summer’s USA Girls U19 Team, the reigning world champions, who will attempt to defend their title next month in Croatia and Serbia, will be of special interest to GopherVBallRocks readers. The team will be coached by Keegan Cook and the roster will include two incoming Gopher Freshmen, Outside Hitter/Opposite Kelly Kinney, who was on last year’s World Championship Team, and Middle Jordan Taylor. We had a peek at Taylor during the recent Spring Exhibition Season (I liked what I saw), but Kinney hasn’t worn Maroon & Gold yet. I don’t know if any of the World Championship matches will be televised, but I’m dying to see her play.
The 6-5 Taylor will be competing for playing time (they’ll play two each set) with a pair of 6-3 Middles, one headed for Pittsburgh and one for Penn State. None of the three were on last year’s World Championship Team. And Kinney’s competition for playing time at Opposite (unlikely to play more than one per set) is a girl* headed for Texas, who, like Kinney, was on last year’s Team. (* I’m using “girl” here, rather than “woman,” because it’s the “Girls U19 Team.”)
I remain confused about what position Kinney will play come fall. Her highlight film shows her hitting from Rightside and Leftside for her Club and H.S. teams. Kinney hits right-handed, suggesting that Leftside is her natural position – but then so was Samedy, and the USA U19 roster, with 4 Leftsides and 2 Opposites, including Kinney, strongly suggests she will be playing Opposite at the World’s. The ‘25 Gophs seem deeper at Opposite, where we have the capable 5th-year Senior Crowl, and the very promising freshman Carly Gilk (both left-handed) competing for one spot. Versus two Leftside spots, where we have the outstanding Julia Hanson and … question marks. We know that The Wooker is capable of being a dominant Leftside, but she was injured last fall, and spent the Spring Exhibition Season on the bench wearing sweats. And Acevedo, though occasionally effective, has yet to prove capable of consistent excellence. I had convinced myself that Kinney would be playing Leftside next fall, but now I’m not so sure.