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 There
is no doubt that 34-year-old Prikeba (Keba) Phipps
would love nothing better than walk away with gold
from the 2003 World Grand Prix.
The Colorado resident has been a
central figure in the USA team in recent years
and her huge hitting and instinctive ability to find
the gap in the opposite court make her invaluable to
her natonal team
Indeed Phipps packs a whallop that indicates she
retains the same energy that made her a member of the
USA Olympic team that competed at Seoul, Korea back in
1988 when just 19 years-old. Fifteen years later and a
long pause notwithstanding, she is still a pivotal
member of the lineup, in itself an amazing sporting
feat.
Phipps rejoined the World Grand Prix team in 2002,
when they finished sixth place and was part of the
2002 silver medal winning team at the World
Championship in Germany several montsh later.
But last year's World Championship was devastating for
Phipps having led the team with her thunderous spikes
through to the final only
to be sidelined after receiving a
knock in the eye in training. There is no doubt Phipps, who is fluent in
Italian after many years playing
professionally in Italy, would like to make it to the
podium in the 2003 World Grand Prix.
At 190cm Phipps is one of the tallest on court and her
trademark flying Rasta locks make
her a fearsome opponent, It
is a a characteristic that she enjoys exploiting,
bearing down on her opponents when she is in full
flight. But clearly Phipps has a soft side, and
like the leader that she is, she is quick to comfort,
encourage and inspire her teammates whenever the
occasion presents itself.
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