Author: vinnielopes

In this podcast episode, Off the Block editor Vinnie Lopes interviews Larry Wrather about the former Ball State player becoming the inaugural head coach for the Fort Valley State men’s volleyball team.

A former All-MIVA outside attacker and Charleston assistant coach will be the inaugural head coach for men’s volleyball program at a historically black university.

Fort Valley State announced Monday that it hired Larry Wrather to take over the new NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball team along with the women’s volleyball team. Continue reading “New program Fort Valley State hires Wrather to be head coach”

The EIVA Player of the Year will spend part of his offseason helping his home country to qualify for the 2021 EuroVolley.

NJIT senior outside attacker Alvaro Gimeno was among the 22 players selected to the Spanish Men’s National Team that will compete in a four-team qualification tournament at the end of the month. Continue reading “NJIT outside Gimeno to play for Spain in 2021 EuroVolley qualifier”

In this podcast episode, Off the Block digs deep into the selection process for the sites of the 2023-26 NCAA Tournament, including an interview with EIVA commissioner and NCAA consultant Russ Yurk. Continue reading “And for Off the Block podcast: Where to play the NCAA Tournament”

The process of deciding where the NCAA Tournament will be played in the upcoming seasons is entering the final stages.

The NCAA men’s volleyball committee approved about 15 bids to remain in consideration to host one of the annual NCAA Tournaments from 2023 to 2026, committee chairman Lenny Kaplan recently informed Off the Block. Continue reading “About 15 sites under consideration to host men’s volleyball NCAA Tournament”

College men’s volleyball players beginning next season will be able to display on their jerseys support for social justice causes.

The NCAA Playing Rules oversight Panel recently approved expanding current rules that will allow players in all sports to express support and voice their opinion in two places on their uniforms. Continue reading “NCAA permits volleyball players to place social justice messages on back of jerseys”

The strength of Samson was too much for any NAIA mascot to overcome.

Samson the Lion (Vanguard) received more than 500 votes to beat Champ the Cougar (St. Xavier) in the championship round on Tuesday to win the inaugural Off the Block/Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge. Continue reading “Vanguard’s Samson crowned champion of 2020 OTB/Frisco Mo NAIA Mascot Challenge”

All but one of the seniors in the BYU starting lineup will be back for the top-ranked team in the nation.

BYU informed Off the Block on Monday that All-American setter Wil Stanley along with outside attacker Zach Eschenberg and middle attacker Miki Jauhiainen are all likely to return for the upcoming season. Continue reading “BYU seniors Stanley, Eschenberg, Jauhiainen likely returning for 2021 season”

Only two remain in the battle to determine the best mascot in NAIA men’s volleyball.

The Off the Block/Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge concludes with the championship match between Champ the Cougar (St. Xavier) and Samson the Lion (Vanguard). Continue reading “Finals voting: Off the Block, Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge”

The field has been narrowed to four in the battle to determine the best mascot in NAIA men’s volleyball.

The Off the Block/Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge continues this weekend with the semifinal matches. Continue reading “Semifinals voting: Off the Block, Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge”