The NVA is proud to announce more exciting news regarding the 2022 season, including a new league structure with divisions and an all-star match! The National and American Conferences have been split into four divisions with three teams each, totaling twelve teams. The regular-season matches will feature interdivisional, interconference, and cross-conference play spreading across five-season events (two more than the year before). The new layout opens the door for a more competitive rankings system that utilizes your overall record and accumulated ‘NVA Points’ to determine qualification and seeding for the playoffs.

The four divisions are set as follows:

During the regular season, each team will play:

–       Two teams in their division twice

–       Three matches against the opposing division in their conference, and then

–       Three more matches against one of the divisions from the opposite conference

Altogether, each team will play ten matches, competing for the best overall record of their divisions. The team with the top record in their respective division will automatically qualify for the playoffs. The following two teams within that conference with the best overall record will also qualify for the playoffs regardless of division. Four teams from each conference will be represented in the playoffs, similar to 2021.

On top of the extended regular season, the NVA is also planning its first-ever All-Star Game! During Event 5, the NVA will bring together the top performers of the regular season to compete for an exhibition featuring some of the top talents in the world in one match!

Make sure to get all the NVA’s scheduled events down in your calendars so you don’t miss any action this season! With new team rivalries established from last year’s competition, fans can expect big show-outs for match-ups such as Freedom vs. Stingers, Stunners vs. Tyrants, Blaze vs. Matadors, Sasquatch vs. Kraken, and Untouchables vs. Exposure. Come back to the news page and follow the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to find more info on the teams this coming season in the following weeks. Fans

should also check out the next two episodes of the Quest for the Cup series and get a first look at our two new teams, the Colorado Kraken and the Seattle Sasquatch.

–       NVA Staff Writer

As promised, Team Freedom’s management has put in the work this offseason to recruit additional high-level prospects in the hopes of bolstering their lineup for the new season. This last month GM has secured the transfer of five players who were part of the Chicago Untouchables this last season in the NVA. Owner Justin Beaumont is confident that their addition will surely help improve the team’s makeup to make a better push towards the championship.

OH, Jake Milnazik (@jakemilnazik) – Kean University 21′

OH, Ian Capp (@iancapp20) – Kean University 21′

MB, Thomas Burrel (@tburrell343) – Stevens Institute of Technology 18′

MB, Matt Buffum (@mattbuffumvb) – Elmira University 18’

L, Ryan Alu (@ryan.alu) – Saint Francis University 21′

With these new additions for the 2022 season, Freedom’s bench will likely be one of the heaviest arsenals the league has seen thus far. These guys were key players for the Untouchables in their premier season. They helped the untouchables make their first appearance in the post-season, even with some statistically leading the league last season. Ian Capp finished the season as the second-best server with 15 aces averaging 0.6 a set, and Ryan Alu finished 5th overall on positive passing efficiency at 92% (59/64).

All of these guys have gone to school in and around New Jersey and will now be with a team closer to home, allowing them to train more with their entire squad. Many of them got noticed by other teams in the NVA while training in the Team Freedom gym, so it is fantastic to see them back in the fold.

The team is still looking to add some new additions next year with some potential college prospects and the upcoming tryout at the end of this year. Make sure to follow Team Freedom (@teamfreedomvbc) on Instagram to be one of the first to know about the upcoming tryouts and any future additions and updates on the team this season.

“Let Freedom Ring!”

-NVA Staff Writer

Now two months out from the conclusion of the 2021 NVA Season, where Team Freedom finished tied for 5th, preparations are well underway for the “dawn of a new age.” The makeup of Team Freedom over the last 12 years since its conception has brought the program much success and has made them a long-standing powerhouse in the NVA. However, after two years of not reaching the podium, a fresh new start is needed to bring the club to brand new heights.

As the NVA has increased its exposure, it has also seen an increase in the number of collegiate players eager to compete professionally in the United States once they graduate. Already, Team Freedom has some fresh NCAA prospects who are set to play in the 2022 season once they complete their collegiate careers.

As the roster takes a new form, returners will take on new roles in different positions as manager Justin Beaumont best utilizes his deep talent pool. With gyms opening up once again from the COVID-19 lockdowns, Beaumont plans to put in teams for local cash prize tournaments. The events will help Freedom find the best combination of players while also giving the players some additional income during the NVA off-season.

In the hopes of finding even more hidden talent, Team Freedom will be holding another tryout in late November or early December. On top of the change of guard, Beaumont is also in the works of securing some new sponsors, which they will be eager to announce this December.

Be sure to get connected with Team Freedom on Instagram (@teamfreedomvbc) and Facebook so you can stay tuned about the tryout dates, the introduction of incoming players, and the announcement of new sponsors!

“Let Freedom Ring!”

– NVA Staff Writer

Every athlete has that story of how one coach or one friend really helped push them to achieve their dreams and do what they didn’t think was possible. The beautiful thing about sports is that it can be used as a vessel to inspire those around you, whether you’re a teammate, coach, or just a spectator, there’s always something about sports that helps you find inspiration and drive. One person in the NVA that is pushing to inspire the youth around him is Team Freedom’s founder and owner, Justin Beaumont. Justin is the owner of Sideout Sports, a volleyball club based out of New Jersey that has both girls and boys youth teams. To be the exceptional athlete that most kids inspire to be, it takes a man who understands that direction and understands the process of getting better to succeed at the next level. Justin said “My goal is to really push these kids past their limits and help them realize the potential that each one of them have.”

Although spectators of sports are only able to see what goes on during the game, they don’t get the chance to experience the beauty of what happens off of the court when it comes to lessons learned from playing sports. “One thing I love about being involved in youth sports is watching these kids use the lessons they learn off the court, off of the court.” It is clear to most people that for Justin Beaumont, youth sports isn’t really about the sport at all, but finding ways to use sports to teach life lessons that these kids can carry on for the rest of their lives. “You can learn so much from playing a sport, such as how to deal with adversity, how to work with a team, and ultimately how to lead and inspire others. If I can just influence one kid to be the best they can be, that becomes contagious and it pushes other kids. I love seeing these kids grow.” 

Now only two weeks away from the NVA Championships in Salt Lake City, we checked in with Team Freedom and their starting middle blocker Mathew Seifert about being back from his time overseas and thoughts about the league. Matt, staying true to his Pennsylvania roots, joined the ranks of American volleyball legends Matt Anderson, Max Holt, and Aaron Russell at Penn State University. After a strong collegiate career with All-EIVA Team awards, Matt continued to play professionally for Ethnikos Piraeus in Greece and the Volleyball Bisons in Bühl, Germany. 

Q: What have you been up to since being back from your season with the Bisons in Bühl, Germany? How has the transition been from playing in the Bundesliga to now being back home with Team Freedom?

A: Since returning home from Germany, I’ve found my way back into the “real world,” where I’ve been working in sales and marketing. Thankfully, I’ve also been able to stay close to the game working with Alvernia University men’s volleyball program in Reading, Pennsylvania. The transition from the Bundesliga to playing back at home with Team Freedom has gone well. The Bundesliga in Germany has nothing but high-level players and teams across the league. I haven’t yet seen what all the NVA teams have on their rosters, but I’m confident that my experiences abroad have prepared me for whatever I will see in Salt Lake City. Team Freedom has a combination of veteran knowledge, skill, and grit. Everyone on the roster loves to play the game, which makes playing that much more enjoyable. 

Q: What are your thoughts on the upcoming November Championships in Utah? What has been your training/preparation for the event?

A: The upcoming (tournament) is going to be very exciting. All the NVA teams have been patiently waiting for the opportunity to play and impact this league. I’m sure everyone would agree that they’re eager to demonstrate the growth of men’s volleyball in the USA. As far as preparation, I’ve been getting my reps with the Alvernia team and Team Freedom squads, both running through the basics with drills or playing 6v6.

Q: Any players or teams that you’re looking forward to playing against?

A: I am just looking forward to playing overall. Again, this is something that all the teams have been wanting to get rolling for a long time. Playing against new teams and players I haven’t seen yet is exciting to me. Some of the players I have played against in college, and some I’ve probably played against in Europe. It will be great to step on the court again with those guys, especially with everyone being so eager to show what they can do! I think it will be the teams with the most consistent play and roster depth will perform the best at the tourney.

We are excited to see what Matt and the rest of Team Freedom have to offer in the November tournament (5-8). Download the NVA app, and visit the league website: nvausa.com for live stream and stats during the tournament. Also visit Team Freedom’s website: teamfreedom.nvausa.com for more information on rosters, and other specific team items.

Penn State Player Page

https://gopsusports.com/sports/mens-volleyball/roster/matt-seifert/4803

Pro Team Page Links

https://volleyball-buehl.de/

The NVA takes pride in its ability to provide a home-base professional league for all the Americans who have gone overseas to play. Whether it is in-between seasons or its finally time to settle down, the NVA is always appreciative of having players with international playing experience. One such player for Team Freedom is Christopher Nugent, a Pennsylvania State Alumni and previous player for VK Ostrava in the Czech Republic. He took some time to share some stories about his time abroad and the events that have led him to the NVA.

The year he graduated and finished his career at Penn State University, Chis shipped off overseas with the help of his agent Rajko Jokanovic, securing him a contract in the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, just on the eastern border with Poland. Chris described the size of the league where even him, a 6’5″ outside, was considered one of the league’s tallest players. Thus, the play’s speed was much faster, with a ‘GO ball’ being the average tempo, which meant Chris had to learn how to approach for a set that was even faster and placed more inside. He described, “I was pushed every day to run those sets, which required me to jump into the ball as I swung. I would end up getting chewed out if I ever went line since it was the coaches’ thought that there is always more angle.” He also expressed the struggle that many US players have switching to the international Mikasa balls after using Moltens in the NCAA.

Unfortunately, Chris had the obstacle of not having anyone on the team speak English, which can be difficult for anyone living abroad with no familiar faces. The only other international players on the team were two Polish players who spoke Russian as their second language. “I did my best to learn Czech, but it started tough with their word for yes being ‘Ano’ which was hard to get down being an English speaker” Nugent explained. 

The team did their best to create a better sense of home for him, getting to know three of the local players’ parents and them holding a thanksgiving celebration. One huge plus was traveling while he was there, taking trips to Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Greece. He even was able to see his old teammate and USA National team player Aaron Russell while he was playing in Perugia, Italy.

In the end, though, Chris only stayed for one year, deciding that it was not the lifestyle he wanted. Chris’s experience is just another example of how diverse every team and country are and how it can be a roll of the dice to find the right fit with a club. “I don’t regret playing at all; I felt like I really needed that year for myself to do a ton of traveling and still get better at the sport I love,” he said. 

Currently, Chris has enjoyed being back home. He has started to build his life here again, getting ready to buy a house and soon to have his wedding with fiancé Kara Michelle. As he put it, “I hope to be playing volleyball for the rest of my life, but it’s time to build my volleyball career around the life that I want to live!”

Follow Chris and the rest of Team Freedom on social media and the NVA app.

The wait is finally over, as The NVA season will be back in full-swing this November 5th – 8th, with a four-day tournament hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tourney will consist of a group stage format followed by knockout round. The NVA is going to broadcast the games live so everyone can watch the action safely from home. Team Freedom hasn’t stopped working hard during quarantine waking up bright and early to get after it with 7 am practice times. They’ll be ready come time to competition to show the league what that hard work looks like on the court.

“We are excited to compete in November and can’t wait to represent the NVA. This is years in the making for us. We have a core group of guys that have been together for quite some time, and they aren’t getting any younger. Salt Lake City will be one heck of a week, and I look forward to seeing everyone and having some sense of “normalcy.”

Justin Beaumont, Owner and General Manager

Make sure to follow Team Freedom (@teamfreedomvbc) and the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to follow up on all future updates and news. Then mark your calendars for the weekend of November 5th – 8th, so you don’t miss out on seeing some amazing volleyball!

This Monday, the United States will celebrate Labor Day all across the nation. We celebrate workers’ strengths and achievements that have laid the foundation for our country’s success. Team Freedom would like to thank all laborers whose hard work makes it possible for our players to get on the court every day and compete at our best. 

A HUGE thank you to:

Agricultural workers whose hard work makes the tons of food that keep us fueled and running at our best.

All the Food Service workers who have kept all of our families awake and fed while they cheered us on at 6 am during weekend tournaments.

Janitors who have always cleaned up after messy fans and kept our floors nice and clean, so we don’t slip. And who now keep our gyms sanitized and supervised, making sure we all are safe from COVID-19.

Factory workers who make our net equipment, volleyballs, shoes, and jerseys, giving us the tools and means to play the sport we love.

Construction workers who have built our gyms give us a safe place to play the sport we love and distinguish Indoor from Beach Volleyball.

Bus Drivers who have always made sure we got to our games on time from high school matches, weekend college travel matches, and national tournaments.

For all other workers, we still appreciate everything you do for our lives outside of the sport; you truly embody the American spirit.

Today we hope you can really sit back and take a minute to relax and enjoy the day; YOU DESERVE IT! Once our season is back in full swing, we can’t wait to be working with you all again. We hope you’ll come to watch our games while we give you some fun and excitement on your days off. Once again…HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

The NVA held its first-ever ‘NVA Spotlight Showdown’ last month, which gave fans a chance to vote for their favorite team clips in a tournament-style competition on Instagram. Team Freedom took home the gold as Mikheil Anthony Hoyte (aka The Zebra) won 53.2% of the online votes in the championship matchup against Northeast Force. This comes after almost a month of online voting from fans against 63 other team highlights, which shows how absolutely exciting and impressive this viral volleyball clip is. This spotlight video shows the cohesion that Team Freedom has as a unit with solid three-point passing and deceptive one hand setting while demonstrating the power and athleticism of the Zebra spike. Despite the current hold on competition with current COVID-19 guidelines, Team Freedom has still shown that they are among the top teams of the league. 

Mikheil Hoyte, The Zebra exclaimed, “I am immensely grateful to my family, friends, and loyal supporters who generously contributed their time and effort to our campaign during this NVA spotlight showdown showcase. This win is for them honestly, but also many thanks to my team freedom teammates. Am grateful to be a part of that crazy family – Let Freedom Ring!” 

Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Mikheil is a current member of their Men’s National Team. He also just completed an impressive season with Mjølnir Volleyball Club, which is located in the Faroe Islands (a Danish Island territory between Iceland and Norway). There they took first place in the 2020 season of the Flogbóltssamband Føroya (Faroese Volleyball Association). As one of the first international players to play in the league, along with Australian outside hitter Phil Freere, Mikheil’s time with Mjolnir is genuinely a testament to professional volleyball’s growth around the world. We are more than excited to have international players such as Mikheil with the NVA! Make sure to follow the links below to see what Team Freedom has in store for us in the upcoming 20-21 season.