Cal Baptist - Off the Block

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.
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September 2, 2011September 22, 2011

UC Irvine releases 2012 schedule: 5 things to know about this schedule

UC Irvine playing nine road matches in the final six weeks of the regular season highlights the team’s upcoming schedule as the Anteaters on Thursday released its 2012 regular season schedule.

UC Irvine ended last season No. 4 in the final coaches poll and advanced to the MPSF Tournament semifinals. Coach John Speraw has three starters returning for the 2012 season, including All-American outside attacker Carson Clark.

Check out the five things to take away from UC Irvine’s schedule for the 2012 season.
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August 15, 2011November 29, 2011

Volleyball Hall of Fame announces 4-team tournament field for 2012 Morgan Classic

For the first time in the history of the Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic, a team from the Conference Carolinas will compete in the non-conference tournament.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame informed Off the Block during the weekend that Lees-McRae is one of the four teams selected to play in the 2012 Morgan Classic Invitational.

Along with Lees-McRae, Springfield, UC Santa Cruz and the defending-tournament champions Cal Baptist will play in the Morgan Classic on Feb. 10-11, 2012, in Massachusetts.
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August 4, 2011September 23, 2011

Lindenwood beefs up 2012 schedule in preparation of joining NCAA

One year away from joining the NCAA, the NAIA national finalists Lindenwood increased the strength of its 2012 schedule with more NCAA opponents.

Lindenwood last week released its schedule for the upcoming season that will feature 11 matches against NCAA Division I-II teams — a five-match increase from the previous season.

Lindenwood is entering second year of a four-year transition period from the NAIA to becoming a NCAA Division II member. This will be the final season that Lindenwood will compete in the NAIA before becoming a provisional NCAA member for the 2013 men’s volleyball season.
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March 24, 2011September 19, 2011

Top 5 men’s volleyball matches to follow tonight

It’s such a big night in men’s volleyball that Off the Block is coming out with a special midweek top five matches to follow tonight.

Six of the top 10 teams will play tonight, including two matches between nationally ranked teams. No. 6 Hawai’i traveling to No. 4 BYU and No. 5 UCLA closing out Pauley Pavilion against No. 5 UC Irvine highlight tonight’s matches. However, there are also two intriguing non-conference matches as No. 2 Ohio State takes its 17 match winning streak to the West Coast and Cal Baptist looks to pull off its second upset of a top 10 team in less than a week.

Check out the top five men’s volleyball matches to follow tonight.
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March 19, 2011September 19, 2011

Top 5 men’s volleyball matches to follow tonight

The madness of March has surprisingly hit men’s volleyball.

One day after No. 2 BYU lost to an unranked team and No. 6 Long Beach State lost on its home court, the two teams will look to salvage the weekend to avoid a significant drop in the polls. In addition, tonight features several interesting non-conference matches as a Hall of Fame coach attempts to get a milestone win and No. 3 Stanford returns to the court after a 14-day layoff.

Check out the top five matches to follow tonight.
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February 13, 2011September 23, 2011

The top 5 men’s volleyball stories of the week

It’s your top five men’s volleyball story list, but with a twist.

Every Sunday during the men’s volleyball season I will post the top five best men’s volleyball stories of the week from around the nation. The list, though, is based more on how well the reporter wrote and covered the story rather than just what happened on the court.
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February 12, 2011September 19, 2011

Top 5 matches to follow tonight

A day after one of the most historical nights of upsets in NCAA men’s volleyball history that featured all five top ranked teams losing, Saturday’s lineup is almost just as intriguing.

Everything from conference rivalries to teams in dire need to pick up a victory highlights tonight’s schedule.

Check out the top five matches to follow tonight as this chaotic weekend in men’s volleyball begins to wind down.
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February 6, 2011September 23, 2011

The top 5 men’s volleyball stories of the week

It’s your top five men’s volleyball story list, but with a twist.

February 5, 2011September 19, 2011

Top 5 men’s volleyball matches to follow tonight

It’s not often that MPSF schools travel outside the West Coast.

However, this weekend four MPSF schools have traveled to the Midwest and East Coast to play in non-conference matches against EIVA and MIVA teams. This is by far the best non-conference weekend of the season with matches ranging from three nationally ranked teams meeting up in University Park, Pa., to No. 4 Stanford playing Loyola in the dreadful Alumni Gym where numerous road teams have struggled in recent years.

Check out the top five men’s volleyball matches you need to follow tonight.
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