Audio: U.S. coach Speraw previews upcoming FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals

Coach John Speraw isn’t holding back with his expectations for the FIVB Volleyball Nations Finals.

Speraw in an interview with Off the Block said the Finals likely will be the highest level of volleyball played in the United States since 1996 Olympics men’s volleyball tournament that place in Atlanta. Continue reading “Audio: U.S. coach Speraw previews upcoming FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals”

Audio: Penn State coach Pavlik previews EIVA Tournament finals

Despite all the injuries and having a starting lineup primarily of underclassmen, Penn State is one win away from a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Penn State will play the conference’s regular season champions Princeton in the EIVA Tournament finals at 7 p.m. in Princeton, New Jersey. Check out Off the Block’s prematch interview with coach Mark Pavlik. Continue reading “Audio: Penn State coach Pavlik previews EIVA Tournament finals”

Video: UCLA middle reacts to senior night win over No. 14 Concordia-Irvine

No. 5/5 UCLA swept No. 14 Concordia-Irvine on Thursday night in Westwood to keep its slim chances at a No. 1 seed in the MPSF Tournament alive.

The Bruins started off slow, but took control in the middle of the first game thanks to a 7-0 run with middle attacker Grant Maleski serving. Maleski also had a 6-0 run in the second game, and ended with a season-high three aces.

Watch associate editor Jonathan Bates’ interview with Maleski as he talks about the Bruins’ four graduating seniors and UCLA’s win over Concordia-Irvine.

Concordia-Irvine outside attackers react to upset of No. 10/10 BYU

Concordia-Irvine outside attackers Raymond Barsemian and Jordan Hoppe combined for 43 kills in a come-from-behind victory over No. 10/10 BYU on Thursday.

The Eagles attacked at a .444 clip in the last two games. However, BYU out-blocked Concordia-Irvine, 14 to 1.5, and opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez had a season-best 31 kills.

Check out special correspondent Rae Loverde’s post-match interview with Barsemian and Hoppe as they react to the upset victory.

Audio: Purdue Fort Wayne coach elated to sweep Ball State in rivalry match

Coach Rock Perrotte now holds an accomplishment that not even his Hall of Fame predecessor Arnie Ball was able to achieve.

No. 15 Purdue Fort Wayne swept its in-state rival No. 13 Ball State 31-29, 25-22, 25-18 on Tuesday to complete the season series sweep and for the first time in program history win every regular-season set against the Cardinals. Continue reading “Audio: Purdue Fort Wayne coach elated to sweep Ball State in rivalry match”