vinnielopes - Off the Block

May 10, 2011September 23, 2011

My men’s volleyball media poll ballot

There will not be any type of split national champion in men’s volleyball this season.

Ohio State received every first-place vote to be ranked No. 1 in the final men’s volleyball media poll released Tuesday.

Ohio State defeated UC Santa Barbara in five games in the NCAA championship match to become first MIVA team to win a national title in the 42 years of the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes jumped up six spots to No. 1 from the last media poll that was released at the end of the regular season.

Check out this week’s top 10 men’s volleyball media poll and my ballot with explanations on why ranked each team where I did.
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May 8, 2011August 13, 2014

NCAA championship postmatch news conference: Ohio State vs. UC Santa Barbara

Ohio State for the first time in its 43-year program history is the national champion.

Buckeye setter Steven Kehoe was named the NCAA Tournament MVP as he guided the offense to out-hit the Gauchos .329 to .198. In addition, four Ohio State players finished the match with at least 10 kills, including outside attacker Shawn Sangrey who had a match-high 30 kills.

Check out the what the players and coaches had to say afterward in the postmatch news conference.
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May 8, 2011August 13, 2014

OH-IO: Buckeyes beat Gauchos in 5 games to win 2011 national championship

For the first time in its program history, Ohio State is the national champions.

Ohio State defeated UC Santa Barbara 20-25, 25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 15-9 in the men’s volleyball NCAA championship match on Saturday in University Park, Pa., to become the first Midwest school to win the national title.
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May 7, 2011August 13, 2014

Live chat: Ohio State vs. UC Santa Barbara championship match

Off the Block will be providing live coverage to the NCAA Tournament championship match between the No. 3 seed Ohio State and No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara.

Ohio State (25-6, 11-1 MIVA) defeated Penn State in the semifinals and is seeking to become the first MIVA team to legally win a NCAA championship. UC Santa Barbara (18-14, 11-11 MPSF) upset top-ranked USC in its semifinals match and if it won tonight would become the first team with more than 12 losses to win the national title.

The match starts at 7 p.m. (EST). Check out the live chat below for instant updates and to interact with other fans or pose questions for Off the Block to answer.
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May 7, 2011August 13, 2014

The men’s volleyball NCAA championship match to follow tonight

By the end of tonight Ohio State or UC Santa Barbara will be celebrating its first national championship in program history.

The No. 3 seed Buckeyes will play the No. 4 Gauchos seed in the men’s volleyball NCAA Tournament championship match tonight in University Park, Pa, after both teams pulled upsets in the semifinals. This is fifth time UC Santa Barbara has reached the national championship match while Ohio State will make its third appearance in the 42-year history of the NCAA Tournament.

The championship match will begin at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN2.

Here’s what to know about NCAA Tournament championship match that volleyball and non-volleyball fans need to follow tonight.
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May 6, 2011August 13, 2014

Players trying out for World University Games team to scrimmage at Penn State

More than 15 current or recently graduated college men’s volleyball players will participate tonight in an inter-squad scrimmage as part of the World University Games team tryout.

The U.S. Men’s National Training Team inter-squad scrimmage will begin at 8 p.m. Friday in University Park, Pa., and is part of the week-long volleyball extravaganza in conjunction with the NCAA Tournament being played at Penn State.
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May 6, 2011August 13, 2014

Initial look at the men’s volleyball NCAA Tournament championship match

One match is left in the 2011 season to decide the men’s volleyball national champion.

Ohio State and UC Santa Barbara will play in the NCAA championship match at 7 p.m. Saturday in University Park, Pa. Here is an initial look and historical information you need to know heading into the championship match.
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May 6, 2011August 13, 2014

Postmatch news conference: Penn State vs. Ohio State

For the first time in 11 years, the Buckeyes are back in the national championship match.

The No. 3 seed Ohio State upset the No. 2 seed Penn State in four games in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Thursday in University Park, Pa., to advance to the title match on Saturday.

The Buckeyes had four players with at least 10 kills as it out-hit the Nittany Lions .292 to .140. Ohio State outside attacker John Klanac finished the match a with a team-high 16 kills, while outside attacker Shawn Sangrey had 15 kills in the victory.
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May 6, 2011August 13, 2014

Postmatch news conference: USC vs. UC Santa Barbara

Fear the underdog Gauchos.

UC Santa Barbara will take its historic postseason run all the way to the national championship match as it upset USC in four games in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Thursday in University Park, Pa.

Middle attacker Dylan Davis had a season-high 15 kills and was one of three Gauchos with at least 15 kills in the victory. UC Santa Barbara also out-hit USC .394 to. .333, including hitting .500 in the final game.
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May 6, 2011August 13, 2014

UC Santa Barbara, Ohio State advance to NCAA championship match

For the first time in their program histories, either Ohio State or UC Santa Barbara will win the men’s volleyball NCAA championship.

The Buckeyes and Gauchos advanced to the national championship match on Saturday after both teams won their NCAA Tournament semifinals matches in four games Thursday at University Park, Pa.

The No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara upset the No. 1 seed USC in the first semifinal match at Rec Hall, while the No. 2 seed Ohio State defeated the home team and No. 3 seed Penn State in the other semifinals.
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