Court Captains: A Volleyball Podcast

Hi we’re back for free agencyyyyyy!

First, we recap how many teams we’re working with here in the American volleyball landscape for 2027. Then, Nikki responds to the online discourse. You can’t expect her to be online and not respond to the discourse, right???? Right. Please skip to like 30 minutes in if that’s not what you’re here for 🙂

Free agency breakdown includes new coach updates, the latest roster rules, and major headlines from the first week of free agency: Omaha and Indy got busy, Minnesota has a solid s...

Congratulations to the Dallas Pulse, MLV’s first ever first-year franchise to win a championship!

Nikki and Kelly tell us about their time visiting Frisco for the semifinals and finals - everyone gives their rose and thorn from their respective viewing experiences (even Ian, who watched every minute on ION). We talk through each match and our reactions, as well as gossip heard throughout the venue over the weekend - we gotchu.

Nikki also tells the crew what she’s hearing about free agency per her social media lurking (beca...

Regular season is officially over, it’s time for the championships!

We start the episode off with the terrible news that San Diego Mojo won’t be returning next year. We are a bit glib about this in the episode, and are mostly a bit confused about the league’s decision to announce a “12” team league that followed two days later - but Mojo fans, we love you and we’re sorry :( 

We talk about a few of the final matches of the season, and then we give our estimates for...

In true us fashion, some pretty big MLV news hit the airwaves about 14 hours after we finished recording… so no responses to the Mojo news in this ep, but we’ll get into that next week.

Today we talk about the free agency period (spoiler we are in it right now) and what we know officially and unofficially about the rules for who can sign and when. Then, we go over this past week’s performances (Omaha and San Diego are in!) and talk through how we will get to the official 3rd and 4th see...

Sorry for the late post this week - play has already started so some of these playoff implications may be a bit out of date, but we hope you listen anyways :)

We talk about last week’s VERY stimulating VERY exciting matches - we are getting closer to knowing the playoff picture. Omaha and San Diego do some SWEEPS against Orlando and Atlanta. For Omaha: their blocking game is super strong, Merritt Beason is producing, and Brooke Mosher is getting the start. San Diego is improving all parts of their game - middles are pl...

It’s getting so exciting up in here, is it not?!?!?! We think 4 teams have the most potential for the last two spots in the playoffs: San Diego, Omaha, Orlando, and Atlanta. We have THOUGHTS - and this is gonna be a huge week.

But before that? We talk free agency gossip. John Cook, GM of the Supernovas, has been on the mic proclaiming 9 signed players for next year. Our Grand Rapids friends say THEY have signed a ton of players for next year, per season ticket holder event tea! We speculate on the ne...

Hey, Captains! Nikki’s feelings have changed regarding Omaha, we talk about that and her fun visit last week to watch the Supernovas take on Indy. We listen in on some press conference excitement (some of the last we’ll hear from Luka!). As we near the end of the season, who could secure those last two spots for playoffs? We speculate and more!

Check out the Content, including video replays and highlights, on the Voli app! Download at playvoli.com/courtcaptains

Follow us on TikTok and Instagram for our commentary and updates: @courtcaptainspod

Go...

Hey, Captains! On this week’s episode, we give our reactions to the All-Star game and their weirdo 3-set match / ghost bonus point format, Nikki reviews MORE injury updates and late season signings, we give some updates to team ownership - including Ian reading through some online paperwork and Discord gossip about a guy who may or may not want to buy the Vegas Thrill. Disclaimer: we do not know for sure if this is the same guy, or if this is a legitimate ownership inquiry. We’re entertainers, not journalists!!

Then, we review the...

Great news! We clicked record this week!

We’re quite chatty this episode - Nikki reviews injury updates, Kelly runs down the all-star rosters and our predictions, and Ian asks us if we’ve ever been on a team like the Columbus Fury. It turns out our feelings about Columbus and Orlando on Monday may have changed after Tuesday’s match..! 

Ian also tells a tale of a voicemail from the San Diego Mojo. We almost weren’t going to keep that story in the final edit because it was just...

Our Score Corner aka Scorner is Ian's weekly staple on the podcast, and the reason this is our only post this week is because: it finally happened. We got on zoom and talked about volleyball for almost two hours and... no one clicked record.We are hearing this is a rite of passage, and we're grateful to have made 55 episodes without committing this faux pas. Anyways, that lost episode is gone into the ether. Enjoy the MLV week 10 scorner, and wish us luck for next week!

This week on Court Captains, we get to talking about good ol’ LOVBuh, breaking down the possible mascots for their Nebraska team. We’re back to our regular scheduled programming of breaking down this weeks’ matches, including our exciting trip to Indianapolis. Indy is still on top and it seems like they might be unstoppable! Listen in and you might finally get the answer to the question “Is Omaha ok?”.

Check out the Content, including video replays and highlights, on the Voli app! Download at playvoli.com/courtcaptains

Follow us on TikTok and Instagram for our commen...

Kelly is BACK and we’re back on video! Halfway through season 3, how ya feelin?

This week we learned about a brand new, first-ever, MLV Commish. We talk through our reactions and pick apart the PR quote, and then we talk injury updates, latest transactions, and give Kelly the headlines from the last week. We discuss Omaha’s illness implications and what we think could get them back into the win column, as well as Indy’s feel-good vibes taking over the league. We’re hoping Dallas can keep it together but acknowledge the OH-heavy...

Audio episode for yall this week - Kelly is out of town, so you’ve got Nikki and Ian’s reactions to recent transactions, news from the league (who’s heading to Dallas for playoffs?!), and match analysis.

We get into Orlando’s shaky fundamentals, Omaha’s streak season, and answer a listener question about Grand Rapids and what’s going on over there. Ian wonders how players can improve at this level of their career, and then we collectively wonder who has Samsung televisions.

Back to video next week (probab...

Okay, time to talk about the fun little trade. We talk about why we actually think it was pretty good for all parties involved (much to the disagreement of other online entities), and why it's not surprising for Cathy George to be down to give away a first round pick.

And, for the first time ever - VIDEO REVIEW! Nikki goes in-depth with stats and scenarios to figure out why Morgan Hentz may have not been having a great experience over at the Omaha Supernovas.

Then, overall league updates...

Sorry for the delay on this one! A lot of chatter about non-match activity this week, so strap in for some takes.

First off, have you guys heard of the New York Times? Their Business department wrote a hacky article about pro volleyball and we talk about it for 20 minutes! We discuss a few match reactions from Week 5, and then go into our overachievers and underachievers from the league so far. We also speculate on some trades, but mostly ask really politely for someone to leak us the salary numbers because we simply cannot...

Lot of volleyball to talk about this week - Indy keeps picking up wins, Dallas has an unexpectedly long road trip, and Omaha is back in their groove.

You get Ian+Nikki only for 20ish minutes of this, sorry for the technical difficulties from Kelly’s end! We talk transactions news (mostly setter dramaaaa), speculate on passing stats contributing to winning, and once again call for a sneaky (player consented) trade a la Giannis (RIP Kelly’s knowledge of all sports but volleyball).

Hope you’re ready to lock in for...

We have returned from sunny San Diego and are freezing again, but that’s show biz.

First we talk about a couple of notable transactions from the last week - yes, we heard Maddie Waak went to LOVB, no we did not record this after that news. Most of our commentary still stands!

Then, we talk week 3 matches - one we caught live, some YouTube reviews, some stats reviews. Orlando with two losses, Omaha and Grand Rapids with big away wins, and no one is undefeated anymore. And Dallas in...

Week two review for youuuuuu!

But first, we talk through general MLV updates, including reviewing the big media advisory announcement from the drama queen Omaha Supernovas (said with love!) and our musings about why no one’s referencing Bolt6 anymore.

Additionally, we had no choice, but simply had to, finally, give our thoughts on the “LOVB and MLV should merge” discourse. You are free to offer your commentary on the topic, but our opinion is correct (lol jk it’s an open convo!)

Then: MLV week...

How’d yall like week 1? We thought it was fun.

Our reactions to John Cook’s little salary cap mishap, San Diego’s 11th hour transactions, and rule changes you should know about for this upcoming season. Then, Ian’s scorner has returned! Week 1 results in a couple of minutes, and our reactions to the first showings from these teams. We are most impressed by Columbus, hoping San Diego can pull off a main character energy for this season, and super excited about the competition overall - the parity, the parity!!!!!

You...

A little spice throughout this episode… some things just make us heated, you know? But we’re not mad about season three being almost here! We have a fancy new video border and a lot of opinions.

We start with general news and updates: our reactions to the Valkyries performance in the World Club Championships, recent LOVBuh news, and a new podcast on the scene by an ex-Supernovas player. Then, we talk through roster updates and cuts and new signings (as of Sunday evening recording; some things have happened in two days!), and we make...

Our pre-season interview is NEW HEAD COACH of the San Diego Mojo, Alisha Childress!

We are so excited to have Alisha on the pod (some of us even more excited than others, you can guess who that is) before her legendary first MLV coaching season begins. Our first coach interview, our first Olympian interview - and the first player-turned-coach of MLV!

We start by hearing about Alisha’s time on Athletes Unlimited, as both a player and a coach. We learn more about her favorite players and coaches that she’s learned from over her care...

The headline second-half-of-free-agency updates, 2025 Champion Orlando Valkyries going to the Club World Championships, and Draft Day!

Congratulations to Mimi Colyer of the Wisconsin Badgers for being the first pick of the draft! She’s going to the Dallas Pulse, which Nikki realizes now that she never said aloud… anyways. Ian gives us the low down on the Club Championships and how they work and Nikki takes us through her draft headlines. Which rookie are you hoping to see hit the floor this year?

Let us know what you thought of draft day! One month till the...

WE HAVE A SEASON THREE

The first week of August has bestowed upon us leaks of a “merger”, official announcements from the league, and free agency news galore. We put forth our perspective on the MLV name change (and the logo…) and what we think happened with Omaha’s return to the league, we review the changes to the salary structure, and talk reactions to day one of the free agency period.

It looks like we’re an MLV podcast now.

Let us know your questions, reactions to these changes, and things you want us to...

Our final episode of PVF Season two! You may have been PVF-less for the last week but we’re here to help you bring back the good times with memories of the playoffs. We talk through the two semi-final matches as well as the championship: Nikki regales us with Vegas tales (including what ABO means), Kelly wonders what’s happening with Omaha next year, and Ian’s microphone was a bit screwed up.

Thanks for coming along with us this year! Keep an eye out for an occasional episode drop during free agency. As always...

After discussing the all-league team make ups, we come up with our own award categories, mainly based on ~*VIBES*~. Nikki fills us in on some Volleytalk forum drama and we hold a brief in-memoriam for the bottom four teams. Gone, but never forgotten.

 Can’t wait to see you all in Vegas! 

Follow us on Instagram for our commentary and updates: @courtcaptainspod
Got a question or comment? Email us at: courtcaptainspod@gmail.com

Our first Official Media episode that includes press conference Q&A with coaches?! We might be journalists after all.

In the second-to-last week of the PVF, the playoff picture became more clear: Indy official took the fourth slot - but not until after we saw them play Orlando live from Fishers. Shout out to the Ignite Comms team who made us feel SO welcome, we are so grateful to you! We talk our reactions from the match including arena vibes and reactions to seeing and hearing these players in-person for the first time. Let...

We’re back! There was a lot of volleyball to cover over the last 2 weeks. That’s overwhelming, so we barely talk about that! Ian tries to keep us on track with his bucket organization system as we discuss the final push for the last playoff spot. Kelly admits to some infidelity and Nikki gets fired up about some jewelry. 

Follow us on Instagram for our commentary and updates: @courtcaptainspod

Got a question or comment? Email us at: courtcaptainspod@gmail.com

Warning to the listeners, Nikki is mad this episode. She’s mad at Orlando’s staff, she’s mad at Vegas’s coaches, and she’s mad at the PVF transactions rules. She’ll be back to her optimistic cheerleading ways next time, maybe.

We have a lot of drama to talk through this week, which we DO appreciate the PVF for. We discuss Adora Anae’s transfer, her false start for Vegas, and Shime’s absence from the transactions page. Then, tea on some speculations and rumors for 2025!

Match analysis: once again, Nikki is mad… about Orlan...

Surprise! In-season player interview! And a rare video pod for yall! We LOVED getting to chat with Courtney Schwan of the Orlando Valkyries. We start this episode by getting to know her a bit better, and then review ORL’s Week 12 match against Indy with her.

From there, we discuss the transactions drama (but recorded before the April 1 deadline so… we’ll have more thoughts on those final moves for you next week). Then, we get into some match reviews and talk through Atlanta’s hot 8-match win streak, what’s going on with Grand Rapids hot-and-cold play, and...

Today on Court Captains, Ian teaches all of us a new phrase! 

Kelly’s theory of mid-season transactions from overseas players proves to be correct ahead of the April 1st trade deadline, marking the return of Nootsara Tomkom. We chat about how Tealer continues to be an unstoppable force and we hypothesize if Fury has a fighting chance to move up in the standings. Oh and of course there’s the oh so casual topic of pregnancy in professional sports.

Follow us on Instagram for our commentary and updates: @courtcaptainspod
Got a question or comme...

Spoiler: some of us DO think we’re journalists!

Lots of action in week 10 as Omaha storms back to the top of the table and Orlando’s streak is broken by San Diego. Atlanta is having a mid-season power move and Vegas a mid-season crisis. Grand Rapids takes two losses at home, Columbus gets a sweep, and Indy holds on to the 4th spot for now.

Kelly and Ian are tested on the actual team court captains of each team in the PVF, and then Nikki does a ~positive~ Dear PVF because we do love the...

A lot of chatter chatter in this episode. Nikki loves to love letter in this podcast, so first she begins with a little ode to Kelly being a great volleyball player. Then Ian matches our adult volleyball league commitment with a commitment of his own - reading the many rules pages of his upcoming fantasy baseball league. Wish his team luck!!

After Ian’s scorner, we do a full meander through the league action from week 9, from Grand Rapids’s great week to Atlanta fighting back, with Vegas’s inconsistency leading to a bit of a slip n’ sli...

We are just about halfway through PVF season two if you can believe it! We do a little check-in on the commercials (and their soundtracks) that Ian asked so nicely for in his Dear PVF. Per usual we review transactions, Ian’s scorner, and week 8 match analysis.

We have loved seeing Orlando get to the top, and are starting to see Atlanta get back to their standard form. Vegas is in the midst of a losing streak, Indy is still getting healthy, and Omaha did a sweep/swept combo. Don’t miss Nikki’s long-winded love profession for Ch...

Reactions to week 7 of the PVF comin' at ya! We review transactions (we’re a day behind the live transactions, Mojo basically undid everything they did last week so, sorry about that!), speculating on injuries based on instagram activity, Ian’s scorner, and talk through our thoughts from the all-star game. Nikki instructs all her little sisters - um, we mean the players - to not look at social media comments. You’re all doing so good! Don’t worry!

Warning to anybody listening with kids around, maybe especially don’t do that this week! Tiger Woods' shenanigan...

Today we’re talking all about Nikki’s valentine’s gift mishap – oh and some volleyball, sure. 

We answer some fan questions, including a lengthy discussion on rotations (who knew it was such a rich subject area?). We also dive into some discussions about team depth, roster management, and how injuries are shaping the playoff race.

A highlight of the week was Columbus taking down Vegas in what we thought was going to be another reverse sweep from Vegas, but they just couldn’t swing it. We’ve got another jam packed Thursday schedule this week. Which m...

Did yall see that transactions page drama this week? We chat through that in the context of some official word from the league on the 24-hour practice squad claim period. Spoiler alert, Omaha wants to keep all 3 of their setters! We also do a fun little bit about potential player movement and our thoughts on trades in this league. Nikki thinks there needs to be a fun little trade next month, for the sake of the league. JFYI… she is mostly kidding. Don’t come for her. Megan Lush is definitely staying in Columbus.

Then we go thro...

We’re talking Sunday Funday this week! All teams played on Sunday, taking advantage of the no-NFL-Sunday. We had some great sweeps and surprises (Mojo took a set from the Vibe for the first time EVER?!)

Some other highlights include Thrill making their way to the top of the standings. Omaha was swept for the first time by Orlando, who put on a great showing all week. Grand Rapids is hitting their stride after some roster changes. We speculate who Columbus will finally win against and Nikki comes at you with a brand new “Dear PVF” hot take. ...

As Ian so aptly put it, no new professional volleyball leagues were announced this week, so we’re back to business as usual recapping the PVF action!

We feel Ian’s really hitting his stride with Ian’s Scorner - what do yall think? Since there were only five matches in week 3, we talk through each one of them. From recounting Indy’s first loss in program history to the Mojo, to Rise’s major roster changes. From speculating what’s happening with Columbus, to reviewing the incredibly tight Vegas/Orlando match. We’ve got you.

We’ve also o...

Hey Captains. Business as usual around here. Nothing to see. No Notes app announcements to decipher. All is cool. 

No we’re kidding. For the first half of this episode, we recount all the drama of the MLV (Major League Volleyball) announcement. It’s major - haven’t you heard? We give the play-by-play, and all the information that’s been shared on the league so far, along with our perspectives, fears, and frankly, brutal mockery, which we do not anticipate will stop at any time.

The second half, we talk highlights from PVF week 2 game play...

Captains, hello. PVF is here. Are you not entertained?

On the pod this week, we give our thoughts on the league overall so far. From the production and announcers to the starting lineups and team performance analysis of every team, we’ve got plenty of thoughts on week one. A few highlights: Ian has the vision, with Indy turning it around and finishing off Orlando in their opener. Kelly thinks it’s really fun to see all these players in new jerseys! Nikki needs the PVF swirling logo to take less time between the reply and the live...