It's finally here and it's in Carasatoga! The II World Volleyball Expo is beginning on Tuesday night and our home nation's G-Hawks are getting ready to return to the court and do one better than they did last year... win it all. When the last VWE came to the Old Coast Nation the G-Hawks made a Cinderella run to the finals where they eventually fell to Ninety-Five X. Now, Carasatogan fans are raring to go and so are the players. Our Volleyball expert Noah Brigzby breaks down Group F and also gives his predictions for the rest of the tournament.
Group F:
2Carasatoga
13Sarzonia
Taeshan
Perahikia
Carasatoga is looking good this year, but after the success of VWE I more nations have come to try and make their name on the international volleyball stage, the G-Hawks are going to have much more competition than last year, especially in the form of group mate Sarzonia. The G-Hawks are ranked 2nd in the world now, tied with Vulshain, and look good to at the very least make it to the second group stage. All the players from the first VWE are returning, this time with international experience, and Coach Yates will be looking to Blake Richards to set up Sidney Stevens for the kills, and the wins.
Sarzonia is one of the only returning sides this year and the Stars did not show well in the last Volleyball World Expo. This is a new year, however, and the Stars have a renewed vigor for volleyball and look to make a run deep into the Expo. Sarzonia is ranked 13th, last of all ranked nations, but this will make little difference when the Stars begin playing on the court. There also might be something invested in the games where Sarzonia meets the host Carasatoga, as the two nations are in the same qualifying group for both the VWE II and the IBC 8.
Taeshan was the nation that lost the host vote for VWE II but they are still looking to do well in Carasatoga. This is the team that Carasatoga needs to watch out for, as Taeshan is hoping for upsets, and that hope seems viable.
Perahikia is the team that needs a miracle to advance out of Group F with Sarzonia, Carasatoga and Taeshan in the group, they might just be looking to win a couple sets, let alone matches.
Predictions:Group A1.
2Vulshain
2. Beaverriver
3. Swartaz
4. Libre Borinquen
With the other number 2 ranked nation, Group A seems to be Vulshain's to lose, the real question will be who takes 2nd. We believe it will be a toss-up between Beaverriver and Swartaz, more than likely the tiebreaker coming down to who lost less sets to Vulshain and who won more against Libre Borinquen.
Group B1. Delaclava
2.
5Bergnovinaia
3. Andossa se Mitrin Vega
4. Darmen
We have dubbed Group B this years 'Group of Death.' We believe that Bergnovinaia's ranking of 5 will see it through to the 2nd Group Stage, but other than this we have no idea who is going to finish where.
Group C1.
8Altimarus
2. Stuffed Taxidermists
3. Raurosia
4. Alphadonia
This group is the USA's to lose as well with Stuffed Taxidermists coming in comfortably at 2nd to advance to the second Group Stage.
Group D1.
1Ninety-Five X
2. Cyborg Holland
3. Wadomia
4. New Palmouth
This group holds the number 1 rank in the world, and so the hope is to come in 2nd and advance. Cyborg Holland has the international experience that we feel will get it there, but Wadomia will definitely have something to say about that.
Group E1. Cassadaigua
2.
6Civil Citizenry
3. Evilbanana
4. Okunion
Newcomers to the VWE Cassadaigua will probably take this group to the bank, but Civil Citizenry might stop the women of Cass on the court. Evilbanana and Okunion really are playing for third here.
Group F1.
13Sarzonia
2.
2Carasatoga
3. Taeshan
4. Perahikia
Now for Group F. Despite its number 2 rank, we think Carasatoga won't be able to compete against Sarzonia's new found volleyball soul, and perhaps even Taeshan could advance if they can make up ground over Sarzonia and Carasatoga. One things for sure, better luck next year Perahikia.