Penn State, USC outside attackers named Co-National Freshman of Week

Two freshmen will earn a share of a national award after helping lead their teams to victories against top-10 nationally ranked teams during the weekend.

Off the Block announced Monday that Penn State outside attacker Jalen Penrose and USC outside attacker Larry Tuileta were selected as the Off the Block Co-National Freshman of the Week. Continue reading “Penn State, USC outside attackers named Co-National Freshman of Week”

Q&A with committee chairman Shayka about upcoming selection process

It’s only going to get more hectic and exciting from now until Selection Saturday for NCAA Tournament selection committee chairman Ron Shayka.

With Selection Saturday about five weeks away, Off the Block interviewed Shayka this weekend to discuss everything from how the committee will use the new RPI criteria component in determining the NCAA Tournament field to the misconceptions that the college men’s volleyball community has of the selection committee. Continue reading “Q&A with committee chairman Shayka about upcoming selection process”

The top college men’s volleyball stories of the week

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

Every Sunday during the men’s volleyball regular season, Off the Block will post the 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. Continue reading “The top college men’s volleyball stories of the week”

Video: Taylor, Kalmbach power No. 4 Pepperdine past No. 6 BYU

Outside attacker Josh Taylor and opposite Parker Kalmbach each had a match-high 24 kills as No. 4 Pepperdine defeated No. 6 BYU 26-24, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25 on Saturday.

The Waves out-hit the Cougars .407 to .333 to complete the two-match series sweep. It was also second consecutive match that Pepperdine finished with more than a .400 attack percentage against BYU, which entered the weekend holding opponents to a second-best in the conference .201 attack percentage. Continue reading “Video: Taylor, Kalmbach power No. 4 Pepperdine past No. 6 BYU”

Postmatch reaction: Quincy coach discusses upsetting No. 14 Ball State

It took five games and a combined 42 overtime points throughout the match but Quincy was able to upset a nationally ranked team for the first time since 2012.

Quincy had a match-high .467 attack percentage in the decisive fifth game as it beat No. 14 Ball State 29-27, 25-18, 35-37, 28-30, 15-9 on Saturday in Quincy, Illinois. Continue reading “Postmatch reaction: Quincy coach discusses upsetting No. 14 Ball State”