The Coaches Group Chat

Long Beach State secures another national championship with a commanding sweep over UCLA, showcasing their unparalleled team culture and championship mentality. Their "blue collar" approach and ride-or-die brotherhood has created a volleyball program where bench energy is so intense it earned yellow cards during their championship celebration.

• Long Beach's first set domination, hitting nearly .800 against UCLA
• Moni Nikolov's clutch serving, delivering two consecutive aces when UCLA led 20-18 in the second set
• The stark contrast between UCLA's grim timeout huddle and Long Beach's electrified bench
• Long Beach volleyball culture as elite, gritty, and built on inten...

Grand Canyon University has abruptly cut their men's volleyball program, effective immediately, with no advance warning to coaches or players, sending shockwaves through the volleyball community. We explore what this means for the future of men's volleyball and share insights from our personal experiences with program cuts at Stanford and University of Pacific.

• Blueprint for fighting program cuts based on Stanford's successful campaign to save their program
• Importance of building alumni databases and organizing coordinated responses
• Strategies for fundraising through pledges rather than immediate donations
• Critical timing of GCU's announcement during peak men's volleyball season

Arielle, Chad, and Matt dive into a lively discussion of recent collegiate men's volleyball action and debate the future of the game.

• Hawaii splits with Long Beach State
• USC battles significant injuries to key players, creating strategic challenges for upcoming matches
• Conference tournament predictions across MIVA, EIVA, Big West, and MPSF
• Data reveals NCAA men's volleyball is 16% international athletes
• Discussion of whether international roster limits would benefit American player development
• Proposal for rule changes to improve men's volleyball as a television product, including a service "foul out" rule
• Brief recap of LOVB Champions...

The NCAA's back-to-back scheduling format deflates the impact of big upsets by forcing immediate rematches, preventing storylines from developing and limiting media coverage opportunities.

• The weekend featured multiple top-5 upsets including CSUN over Hawaii, UC San Diego over UC Irvine, and GCU over UCLA
• Back-to-back scheduling forces teams to play the same opponent twice in consecutive days, eliminating the buildup between matchups
• The upcoming 18-man roster cap will significantly impact recruitment strategies and player movement between programs
• International players dominate many starting lineups in NCAA men's volleyball, raising questions about American player development
• American v...

We dive into men's collegiate volleyball rankings and break down the implications of Long Beach State's split with UC Irvine in what was a high-level volleyball showcase with sold-out crowds.

• Clear separation exists between the "top five" teams and everyone else in men's volleyball
• Long Beach maintains #1 ranking despite their loss to UC Irvine in a sold-out match
• Debate over Loyola Chicago's #6 ranking after being "called out of rotation"
• Discussion of whether Long Beach's loss will ultimately benefit them by relieving pressure
• High school volleyball rankings from cousin Greg
• Netflix's "Adolescence" recommended as essential...

We make our triumphant return for Season 3 (it's actually season 2 episode 9 but it's been forever since our last episode), putting to rest any rumors about internal fighting while offering sincere apologies for the technical difficulties that prevented the release of our previous recordings.

• Debating the latest Traitor's Poll rankings with special focus on CSUN vs Loyola placement
• Criticizing current replay systems in college volleyball and proposing either professional-grade systems or faster decision processes
• Analyzing CSUN's challenging Chicago road trip against Lewis and Loyola
• Discussing the remarkable service runs that led Grand Canyon to dominate BYU
...

Our latest episode dives into the humorous and competitive world of Fantasy MVB Beer Olympics! We discuss team selection, strategies, and what it means to build a cohesive unit ready to take on the challenge. 

• Introduction of our Beer Olympics draft 
• Boycotting the AVCA rankings
• Matt's NSFW social media
• Capitol Hill Classic recap
• Women's volleyball roundup

We are putting the AMERICA into our All-American team while discussing the scarcity of top-tier American rosters in college volleyball today. We highlighted key American players, examined high school volleyball rule changes, and ultimately celebrated the importance of recognizing homegrown talent in the sport. 

• Crafting an all-American team of volleyball players 
• The significance of celebrating American players in international-dominated NCAA 
• Recent high school volleyball rule adjustments 
• Excitement surrounding local competitions and events 
• Plans for an upcoming All-Star game to honor local talent

Our latest episode dives into the fluctuating AVCA rankings, addressing issues surrounding team standings and the perceived favoritism affecting teams like Hawaii and UCLA. The discussion includes insights on weekend matches, reflections on coaching changes, and the evolving dynamics of college volleyball. 

• Critique of current AVCA rankings and their formulation 
• Arguments on Hawaii's ranking despite a recent loss 
• Recap of Long Beach vs. UCLA: a disappointing outcome 
• Stanford's bounce-back performance against Hawaii 
• Examination of Mary Wise's retirement and potential candidates for her position 
• Reflection on how players influence coaching hires and college athletics

A transformative week in volleyball sees the introduction of the Baby on Benches Rule, allowing coaches to bring their babies onto benches during matches. We discuss the impact of this change, alongside John Cook's retirement, spring tryouts excitement, finishing with a discussion on volleyball superstars: Moni Nikolov vs. Harper Murray.

• Discussion of the Baby Bench Rule and its implications 
• Insights on John Cook's retirement and coaching changes 
• Recap of the experiences from recent spring tryouts 
• Preview of key volleyball matches on the horizon

This episode dives into the complexities of NCAA volleyball rankings, exploring their quirks, controversies, and significant impacts on team dynamics. We discuss player transfers, upcoming matches, and potential rule changes:

• Insights on coaches' polling and its biases 
• Discussion on the world of NIL in college sports
• Preview of key upcoming matches between top teams 
• Proposed rule changes (foreigner limit, remove open hand tips, service error foul out)
• The future of NCAA volleyball amid rising financial stakes

In this episode, we explore:
• SoCal Cup roundup
• Game results and reflections on tournament performances 
• Insights into coaching strategies and player growth 
• Discussion on AVCA rankings and predictions for upcoming matches 
• Anecdotes from tournament chaos and life in volleyball 
• National Champion predictions

S2E2 provides an in-depth analysis of recent men’s volleyball matches, focusing on team dynamics and standout players. We then move into the emerging rivalry between the PVF and LOVB leagues. We then finish off with AVCA ranking evaluations, performance observations, and predictions for future matchups. 
• Analyzing the matchup between Ball State and Stanford
• Evaluating team performances and player statistics
• Highlighting significant league matchups, including Ohio State vs. BYU
• Discussing the branding rivalry between PVF and LOVB
• Evaluating early season rankings and future implications
• Anticipating upcoming matches and viewer engagement

Our latest episode is packed with predictions about the upcoming college volleyball season, covering everything from champion favorites to potential up-and-coming teams. With discussions on coaching changes, player developments, and the overall shifting landscape of the sport, we eagerly lay out our thoughts and invite listeners to join in on the excitement.

Did you ever wonder why some volleyball matches feel like electric rock concerts while others seem like a quiet library? Join us as we kick off this episode with a sweet anecdote about York Peppermint Patties and how they became an unlikely hero at tournament desks. Chad shares his firsthand experience from Arlington's Volleyball Nations League (VNL), where even top-tier matches like Serbia vs. Turkey struggled to draw crowds. We draw comparisons to the vibrant volleyball culture in Poland and discuss the uphill battle of scheduling weekday games in the U.S., all while underscoring the impressive efforts of...

Get ready to relive the rollercoaster emotions of the men's volleyball semifinals, where UCLA narrowly clinched victory from Irvine and Long Beach State mounted an incredible comeback against Grand Canyon. Feel the electric charge as we dissect Mason Briggs' game-changing performance that turned the tide for Long Beach, and join us in pondering the historic moment men's volleyball made its debut on ESPN's main network. We don't hold back on our critique of the semifinal's camera work, either – because let's face it, we're here for every heart-pounding play, not an endless sea of fan faces.

Transitioning to the ta...

Here is what ChatGPT spit out when we asked it to summarize todays episode:

Get ready to spike your knowledge of college volleyball as we serve up a hearty post-season analysis! Our special guest, Bobby, joins the crew to dissect our preseason forecasts, celebrating the aces and learning from the faults. We're not just talking about who soared and who stumbled in the Big West, MIVA, and EIVA—we're giving you an insider's play-by-play on how injuries and home crowds have turned the game upside down. And yes, we're taking a victory lap for our unanimous Ohio St...

This is what ChatGPT says is todays episode description:

Ever found yourself laughing at the mishaps that come with tweeting idioms? Imagine my surprise when my own Twitter fiasco turned into a source of shared giggles. In this lively episode, we tackle everything from the quirky allure of holiday candies—team Easter or Halloween, pick your sugary fighter—to navigating the choppy waters of selling a used car. Stick around as we share our latest life updates; whether it's braving a new haircut, enduring car dealership haggling, or embracing the chill of an impromptu cold plunge, you're in f...

Strap on your knee pads and join us for a rollicking journey through the world of youth volleyball coaching, with peals of laughter and sage advice served in equal measure. In our latest episode, Bob, Ariel, Chad, and I, Matt, trade stories from the court with the same energy and spirit as our U-14 athletes bringing their all to the game. From the rush of a tournament weekend to the invaluable lessons imparted to young, eager players, we're sharing the playbook on how to foster a sense of community and cultivate the next wave of volleyball stars.

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Ever found yourself chuckling over a case of mistaken fruit identity or debating the merits of volleyball tournaments with friends? That's exactly where we landed in our latest episode, kicking things off with a humorous mix-up involving nectarines—yes, those juicy summer gems—and a timely correction from our ever-reliable virtual sidekick. The laughs didn't end there, as we spun yarns about Costco adventures and a memorable sweatshirt design gone awry, setting the stage for a deeper volley into the world of volleyball events. As I staunchly defended the Olympic Games as the zenith of volleyball dreams, Jan presented a co...

Have you ever bumped into a celebrity doppelganger or felt the pang of missing camaraderie from a break? No, it's not a new reality TV theme; it's just us, weaving personal tales with the fabric of sports commentary. This episode takes you from laugh-out-loud branding brainstorms featuring Marcus Mariota, all the way to the solo ventures of everyday life. Our storytelling doesn't end with humor; it also casts light on Grand Canyon University's climb in college volleyball rankings and an engaged discussion about the future of officiating in the sport. Matt August, assistant coach of Grand Canyon University, even...

We were without producer Bob this episode and it shows as Matt forgot to turn the camera on 🤦‍♂️ 

But show must go on as we discuss:

AVCA RankingsArielle's viral videosWomen coaching in a boys gameFavorite NCAA Assistant CoachesNominee for Bench Player of the Year

Welcome to the Coaches Group Chat! On this episode we make our predictions for the 2024 NCAA Men's College Volleyball season:

1. National Champion
2. League winners of the Big West, MPSF, MIVA and EIVA
3. Player of the Year
4. Freshman of the Year
5. Most Improved Team
6. 'Biggest Loser' of the 2024 season
7. Newest Trend in MVB

Welcome to the Coaches Group Chat! On this episode we make our predictions for the 2024 NCAA Men's College Volleyball season:

1. National Champion
2. League winners of the Big West, MPSF, MIVA and EIVA
3. Player of the Year
4. Freshman of the Year
5. Most Improved Team
6. 'Biggest Loser' of the 2024 season
7. Newest Trend in MVB

Prepare to up your volleyball IQ as we serve up a jam-packed episode from courtside chaos to strategic playbooks of the past two weeks. We're volleying across the board, from the thrills of the SoCal Cup right to the heart of the AVCA convention, and then setting up for the intensity of the Austin First Point Collegiate Challenge. Witness as top-ranked teams establish their authority in the men's collegiate volleyball scene, and join the conversation about NCAA rankings that's sure to get your competitive spirit fired up.

This round, we're digging deep into the rising tide of...