MPSF - Off the Block

September 27, 2011August 13, 2014

UC Irvine beats professional Chinese team to open international tourney

For the second time in the event’s three-year history, UC Irvine won a match at its preseason international tournament.

UC Irvine swept Beijing BAIC Motor 25-22, 25-15, 29-27 on Monday in its pool-play opener at the Irvine International Volleyball Tournament.

The Anteaters had aces late in the first and third games to close out Beijing. Setter Daniel Story had back-to-back aces in the opening game to give UC Irvine a 22-20 lead, while middle attacker Austin D’Amore had an ace in the third game to help force overtime.
Continue reading “UC Irvine beats professional Chinese team to open international tourney”

September 27, 2011September 27, 2011

UC Irvine kicks off NCAA preseason with its international tournament

UC Irvine will open the college men’s volleyball preseason Monday at its annual international tournament.

UC Irvine will play Beijing BAIC Motor, a professional team from China, at 7 p.m. Monday in its pool-play opener at the 2011 Irvine International Volleyball Tournament.

The Irvine International Volleyball Tournament is a six-day tournament and is the only preseason tournament that features a college men’s volleyball team playing professional teams from around the world. Six of the eight teams participating in the preseason tournament are international squads.
Continue reading “UC Irvine kicks off NCAA preseason with its international tournament”

September 22, 2011September 24, 2011

BYU releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

Opening conference play with six matches against three of the top MPSF teams and non-conference matches versus Penn State highlights the 2012 BYU regular season schedule that the team released Tuesday.

The Cougars ended the 2011 regular season No. 2 in the national rankings but were upset in the MPSF Tournament quarterfinals and missed the Final Four. New BYU head coach Chris McGown has six starters returning for the upcoming season, including All-American outside attackers Robb Stowell and Taylor Sander and All-American middle attacker Futi Tavana.

Check out the five things to take away from BYU’s schedule for the 2012 season.
Continue reading “BYU releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule”

September 21, 2011September 24, 2011

Stanford assistant Shibuya named associate head coach for Cardinal

A longtime Stanford assistant coach was promoted within the Cardinal coaching staff.

The Stanford athletics department announced Friday that Ken Shibuya was named the associate head coach of the Cardinal men’s volleyball team for the upcoming season.

Shibuya has served as an assistant coach on Stanford head coach John Kosty’s staff since 2006. In his six seasons with the Cardinal, Shibuya helped turn around the struggling program into a annual top 10 nationally ranked team and helped guide Stanford to the 2010 NCAA championship.
Continue reading “Stanford assistant Shibuya named associate head coach for Cardinal”

September 21, 2011September 22, 2011

USC releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

A rematch against the defending MPSF champions UC Santa Barbara and a non-conference match against Penn State highlights the USC 2012 regular season schedule that the team released Tuesday.

USC finished last season ranked No. 1 in the final regular season coaches poll and reached the Final Four for the second time in the last three seasons. The Trojans have two starters returning for the upcoming season, including All-American outside attacker Tony Ciarelli.

Check out the five things to know about Grand Canyon’s schedule for the upcoming season.
Continue reading “USC releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule”

September 9, 2011September 19, 2011

U.S. Men’s National Team coach Knipe selected to Long Beach State Hall of Fame

The face of Long Beach State men’s volleyball for the last 10 years will receive one of the top honors from the 49ers athletics department.

The Long Beach State athletics department announced Thursday that former All-American and 49ers coach Alan Knipe will be inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame as part of the 2011 class.

Knipe was a two-time All-American during his three-year college career and helped lead the 49ers to the 1991 NCAA championship — the only national championship in program history. He was also one of 10 players inducted into the inaugural class of the 49ers Men’s Volleyball Wall of Fame in 2006.
Continue reading “U.S. Men’s National Team coach Knipe selected to Long Beach State Hall of Fame”

September 8, 2011September 19, 2011

Record number of teams to play in Anteaters’ international tournament

UC Irvine will have the largest tournament field in the three-year history of its preseason international tournament.

The Anteaters announced Tuesday that eight teams — three more than last season — will participate at the 2011 Irvine International Volleyball Tournament later this month.

The Irvine International Volleyball Tournament is the only preseason tournament that features a college men’s volleyball team playing professional teams from around the world. Six of the eight teams participating in the preseason tournament are international squads.
Continue reading “Record number of teams to play in Anteaters’ international tournament”

September 7, 2011September 22, 2011

UC Santa Barbara releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

Four matches in the Thunderdome and a rematch against USC highlights the 2012 UC Santa Barbara regular season schedule that the team released Monday.

The Gauchos last season became the second-lowest seed in MPSF history to win the conference tournament and lost to Ohio State in the NCAA championship match. UC Santa Barbara coach Rick McLaughlin has one starter returning from last season — middle attacker Dylan Davis, who played for the United States at the Men’s Junior World Championship in August.

Check out the five things to know about the Gauchos’ schedule for the upcoming season.
Continue reading “UC Santa Barbara releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule”

September 5, 2011September 22, 2011

UC San Diego releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

A month-long conference homestand and a trip to Grand Canyon highlights the UC San Diego 2012 regular season schedule as the team earlier this week released its schedule for the upcoming season.

UC San Diego finished last season tied for 10th place in the MPSF and failed to make the conference tournament. Tritons coach Kevin Ring will have four starters returning for the upcoming season, including outside attacker Carl Eberts who led the team in kills last season.

Check out the five things to take away from UC San Diego’s schedule for the 2012 season.
Continue reading “UC San Diego releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule”

September 4, 2011September 22, 2011

Cal State Northridge releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

Non-conference matches against some of the top MIVA teams and an eight-match mid-season homestand highlights Cal State Nothridge’s 2012 regular season schedule.

Cal State Nothridge ended last season tied for last place in the MPSF and missed the conference tournament for the first time since 2001. Matadors coach Jeff Campbell has five starters returning for the upcoming season, including 2011 All-MPSF Freshman Team middle attacker Greg Faulkner.

Check out the five things to take away from Cal State Northridge’s schedule for the 2012 season.
Continue reading “Cal State Northridge releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule”