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

The National Volleyball Association is now bigger than ever before, moving into the upcoming 2022 season, bringing you: more games, larger events, new teams, a new league structure, and even greater volleyball action! The American and National Conferences have each split into two divisions during the off-season. You will now see a Coastal and Central division within each conference. In addition, each conference has inducted a new franchise, bringing the league to a total of 12 teams, which has opened the door to a full regular-season schedule. From April to July, fans will be able to watch 60 matches with teams grinding their way through the rankings to solidify a spot in the 2022 NVA Championships! Here is the release for this year’s NVA Regular Season Event Schedule without further ado.

2022 NVA Regular Season Schedule

Event 1: April 8th – 10th

Event 2: May 6th – 8th

Event 3: May 28th – 30th

Event 4: June 17th – 19th

Event 5: July 8th – 10th

NVA Championship: August 5th-7th

Each event will feature twelve matches over three days with four games a day. Each team competes in two matches per event weekend, totaling ten matches throughout the season. The teams will be fighting each game to bolster their overall record and rack up NVA Points to win their respective division. Winning your division will automatically advance you to the playoffs.

Some of the highlight matches include…

– Saturday 04/09 @ 12:00 PM PST: Dallas Tornadoes vs. Colorado Kraken, the Tornadoes grudge match against their previous head coach and his new team, the Colorado Kraken.

– Friday 05/06 @ 9:00 AM PST: Las Vegas Ramblers vs. Utah Stingers, both of last year’s top regular-season teams who have both made the final podium two years running, will face off in this newly-formed rivalry.

– Friday 05/06 @ 12:00 PM PST: OC Stunners vs. Texas Tyrants, a rematch of their five-set, quarterfinals thriller, which is regarded as the best match of the 2021 playoffs.

– Sunday 05/30 @ 9 AM PST: Chicago Untouchables vs. Southern Exposure, a rematch of a highly gritty quarterfinal matchup from last season that ended in a five-set Exposure win.

– Sunday 06/19 @ 6 PM PST: LA Blaze vs. Inland Empire Matadors, as they battle for dominance in this cross-town rivalry.

– Sunday 06/30 @ 9 AM PST: New Jersey Freedom vs. Seattle Sasquatch, the first matchup between the Northwest and Northeast Coast teams.

Next week, be sure to check back in to delve into the ranking system that includes divisional and cross-conference play. Also, stay tuned for more information on the league’s two new teams, the Colorado Kraken and the Seattle Sasquatch! Follow the NVA on Instagram and Facebook to get weekly media updates on league developments and player stories if you haven’t already. Fans can also jump back in and watch all of last year’s matches on YouTube and get a taste of what is to come!

Follow the link below to get a breakdown of the 2022 season and conference divisions!

https://www.nvausa.com/news/detail?id=158

-NVA Staff Writer

The NVA finished off 2021 with a bang by bringing their all-stars to the AVCA’s 40^thAnniversary Convention in Columbus, Ohio! For three days, the league’s players and coaches hit the courts with some of the world’s greatest volleyball minds to help advance the sport of volleyball, educating the next generation of American coaches. The NVA had the privilege to work alongside inspirational icons such as Karch Kiraly and John Speraw as well as hosting the All-American Banquet recognizing elite players from Women’s Collegiate Volleyball.

Those who attended the All-American Banquet and the coinciding NCAA Div. 1 championship match between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Wisconsin Badgers witnessed some of the most extraordinary players in the history of NCAA. The game had historical precedence, with one player becoming the first-ever five-time AVCA First-Team All-American. Of course, it would be none other than the Division 1 player of the year, Wisconsin middle blocker Dana Rettke!

The NVA had the privilege of handing out the awards to the AVCA Players of the Year, and we are excited to share their names with you again! Readers can find the complete list of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team selections from each division on the AVCA website. https://www.avca.org/awards/

AVCA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

NAIA AVCA Player of the Year– Nada Meawad, Park (Missouri)

Two-Year College AVCA Player of the Year– Marian Ovalle, New Mexico Military Institute

NCCAA AVCA Player of the Year– Sydney Schwitters, University of Northwestern-St. Paul

NCAA Division III AVCA Player of the Year– Heidi Westra, Calvin University

NCAA Division II AVCA Player of the Year– Alexis Cardoza, Cal State San Bernardino

NCAA Division I AVCA Player of the Year– Dana Rettke, University of Wisconsin – Madison

For many of the NVA players present for the convention, the best moment of the event came from the Athletes Unlimited Draft, which has invited nine graduating collegiate stars to join their league. Athletes Unlimited is the only pro indoor women’s volleyball league in the U.S., which premiered last year on the CBS Sports Network! Two of the draftees, Div. 1 Player of the Year, Dana Rettke, and Nebraska’s Laura Stivrins, went head-to-head, middle on middle, in the 5-Set NCAA Championship thriller. This historic draft is the first of its kind in the U.S. to provide an immediate pipeline for the nation’s most valuable volleyball players to go straight from university to the major leagues!

https://auprosports.com/read/meet-the-9-draftees-from-the-inaugural-athletes-unlimited-volleyball-draft/

Inspired by AU Sports, the NVA is preparing to eventually establish their draft, looking to bring graduating student-athletes into the fold after the NCAA Men’s Final. With another successful year at the AVCA, the NVA has done well to show attending coaches just how disciplined, determined, and hungry our athletes are. We hope that the word will continue to spread from coaches to the next generation of college players that the dream of becoming a professional volleyball athlete is just on the other side of graduation! With this much talent already on display on the women’s side, the NVA and their teams are eager to see what homegrown products come from NCAA Men’s Volleyball this summer!

-NVA Staff Writer

In just under a week, the National Volleyball Association will be partnering once again with the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the 2021 AVCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio! Now, celebrating its 40th anniversary, the AVCA was formed back in 1981 by Terry Liskevych and Andy Banachowski as an advocacy group for coaches. Since their conception, the AVCA has significantly expanded, adding tons of new services and clinics, all with the same core dedication to serving volleyball coaches and the volleyball community.

From December 15th-18th, the convention halls will be jam-packed with seminars regarding coaching skills, skill development, career advancement, club management, and even sports psychology. Each educational session will be led by the country’s top NCAA Div 1, Olympic, and Club coaches, including some of the current greats with; Karch Kiraly (USA Women’s National Team), John Speraw (USA Men’s National Team), and Alan Knipe (Long Beach State), all leading their own sessions. On top of that, the event offers break-out sessions for coaches to network and reconnect with other coaches from around the nation.

The NVA is sending 16 athletes and coaches from around the league to take part in ten educational seminars as part of the on-court practice demonstrations. Utah Stingers Owner & NVA VP Russell Holmes will also present awards to the top NCAA athletes at this year’s All-American/Players of the Year Banquet. Team Freedom will also be sending a solid group to take part in the action including Owner Justin Beaumont as well as players Ryan Alu (L), Ian Capp (OH), Thomas Burrell (MB), Matt Buffum (MB), Jake Milnazik (OH), and Ron O’Driscoll (S). This will be the second year that the league has participated in this phenomenal event and has eagerly awaited its return since the last AVCA convention back in 2018.

There’s still time if you haven’t yet registered for the convention. You can also purchase passes on-site starting at 4 pm on Tuesday the 14th at 4 pm. However, if you cannot make it in person, you can still watch every seminar online with their Virtual Convention, including live Learning Labs created exclusively for virtual attendees, a virtual exhibit show, and Career Center. Below you’ll find links to find out more information about registering, as well as our seminar schedule for the week. If you see us there, give us a shout, we would love to talk and learn together as we all push to help foster the next generation of volleyball in the USA and grow the game!

Schedule and AVCA Links:

Thursday 12/16

–       11am – 12pm: Technical and Tactical Components that Lead to a Better Transition Game. (Dave Preston)

–       3pm – 4pm: Rethinking Feedback in a Practice Setting. (John Speraw)

–       4:15pm – 5:15pm: Controlled Variations of Live Play: How to Challenge your Starting Side to Prepare for Game Day. (Wright State Staff)

Friday 12/17

–       1:15pm – 2:15pm: Planning and Facilitating a Week of Practice Drills. (James Madison Staff)

–       2:30pm – 3:30pm: Bolstering your Attackers’ Toolkit. (Karch Kiraly)

–       3:45pm – 4:45pm: Training your Team to be Efficient Out of System. (Shannon Winzer)

Saturday 12/18

–       9am – 10am: Serve Receive with USAV Women’s National Team. (Tama Miyashiro)

–       9am – 10am: Adaptive Creativity – The importance of customizing drills to enhance & excite your players. (Eric Snyder)

–       10:15am – 11:15am: Coaching Using Story Telling – External Feedback in Action. (Jamie Morrison)

–       10:15am – 11:15am: Practice Pyramids: Growth Through the Climb. (Chad Willis)

https://avcaconvention.org/

https://avcaconvention.org/virtual-convention/

-NVA Staff Writer

For those that have not heard, NVA Broadcast Announcer Nick England has started his own Twitch Sports Stream channel EnglandonAir during last year’s offseason. His streams include multiple breakdowns and analyses of volleyball competitions, including previous NVA events and FIVB and European Cup matches. Even better, England has begun bringing in top players from the NVA to give new insight into these matches. One player who has received a lot of attention since his involvement with the stream is Team Freedom Setter Ryan Kenny.

The New Jersey native is packed with years of volleyball experience from playing in USAV tournaments, with Team Durham in the UK, and a full-time coach with Side-Out Sports in Fairfield, NJ. His on-air insights with EnglandonAir were an instant success leading him to be invited back multiple times since his first appearance. Kenny shared, “My first stream with Nick was the first one he had done in a while, and we still managed to get the most views and subscribers from a single episode!”

The Twitch Stream platform is an excellent way for athletes to give relaxed game commentary on how they played, rather than being harshly treated at times by post-game reporters. “I’m mainly excited to get involved with as many promotional projects with the NVA as possible. I only have so long before I can keep playing at this level,” shared Kenny.

The streams have even allowed Kenny to scout the other teams and have helped plan Team Freedom’s roster for next season. Kenny went on to say, “I guess I am giving away all of my secrets in these streams, but that’s part of the fun!” Kenny is still set to play an integral role as one of the primary setters for Team Freedom again this season, alongside Matt Elias. With that said, Kenny is ready to jump into a coaching role if need be, especially with his newfound knowledge of each team’s weaknesses from his time on the stream with EnglandonAir!

Head on over to www.twitch.tv/englandonair to watch upcoming live streams and previous videos by subscribing to the channel for $4.99 a month! Fans can also follow Ryan Kenny (@ryanjkenny) and Nick England (@englandinsd) to find more NVA content and to be the first to hear when a new stream is on the way.

-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

Check it out! Here’s a throwback article from 2020 posted on the NVA’s main page back when Team Freedom won the first-ever Spotlight Showdown. During the event, fans voted for the best highlight clips leading up to the Showcase Event in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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 fascinating 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 league’s top teams.

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. I 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, 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.

Head on over to the NVA’s (@nvausa) on Instagram and find the archived IG story called ‘Spotlight Show’ to catch see all the top submitted highlights!

– NVA Staff Writer

Making it to their second playoff appearance since joining the NVA, Team Freedom fell short of their 2021 aspirations losing in the quarter-finals to the Utah Stingers in a 0-3 sweep. Where Freedom had previously beat the Stingers 3-2 during the regular season, the New Jersey team seemed to have all the odds against them as the match played out.

Team Freedom was neck and neck to start the match, having a match point at 24-22 in the first set before the Stingers came back to win 28-26. While Josue Castillo and Christopher Vaughan did their best to win the set, the pair just couldn’t beat Utah’s block and defense. The team’s other star outside Christopher Nugent was set to start for the finals event but had his flight canceled at the airport due to strikes by workers at American Airlines. Who knows what different outcomes would have transpired if the veteran with international playing experience led the charge.

“A lot of questions had to be asked as the coaching staff going into that Friday. We had a lot of our squad unable to make it and other players not being at 100% like Chris Vaughn after his injury. It was a domino effect of worsening circumstances. However, we still needed to show up and play volleyball.” – Justin Beaumont, Owner.

Coach Carlo Edra and Beaumont used their team’s depth to put forward mixed lineups throughout the season, which kept every team they faced on their toes. After getting off to a poor start in the second set, Carlo placed in setter Ryan Kenny, outside Besmir Arslani, and then middle Douglas Dzema in for Opposite Joe Norman. The substitutions have previously been solid starters for the team, especially during the Atlantic City event. However, the change of guard did not bring about the relief they were hoping for, as they could not stop Stinger’s non-stop momentum before they finished the set 25-13.

As Freedom finally gained a solid 6-3 lead in the third set, setter Matt Elias went down hard after a beautiful set to the opposite. The fall caused a severe cramp in Elias’s calf, which required him to be subbed out of the match to be evaluated by the medical staff. The loss of Elias prevented Freedom from capitalizing on their early lead, allowing the Stingers to get back in the game once again and later take the set 25-22.

“The Utah Stingers did well to make us play to their level. We are a high-energy team that loves to feed off other teams talking smack to us. The Stingers, however, stayed calm and level-headed, which did well to put out our fire.” – Justin Beaumont, Owner.

Despite the loss, Team Freedom stayed in character with fantastic team comradery through the ups and downs, as well as a strong performance from their middle blockers. Matthew Seifert led the entire team in points with six kills (60%), three blocks, and one ace. It is always amazing to see middles do so well. Still, due to middles’ limited time on the court, it is nearly impossible for them to win the game all by themselves.

“Getting back home, we’ve had individual meetings with all the players to see what everyone’s commitments are for next season. As a squad, we’re going to look very different next season as we look to pick up some of Chicago’s players such as Ian Capp and Thomas Burrell!” – Beaumont.

Make sure to go and watch Team Freedom’s final match of the 2021 season by going onto the NVA USA page of Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdB30nvjjhg 

Be sure to follow the Team Freedom (@teamfreedomvbc) and the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to get updates on your favorite team as they get ready to come back again next year 2022 season. It’s sure to be the best one yet!

• NVA Staff Writer

Match Statistics: 

#9 Christopher Vaughn – 9 Points (8 Kills, 1 Ace)

#11 Mikheil Hoyte – 8 Points (7 Kills, 1 Block)

#3 Josue Castillo – 6 Points (6 Attacks)

#12 Matt Seifert – 10 Points (6 Kills, 3 Blocks, 1 Ace)

#20 Joe Norman – 6 Points (5 Kills, 1 Block)

Team Freedom had high expectations for the 2021 season as the tight-knit group of players has been together for some time. They started the season 5-0. But after their win over last year’s NVA Champions, the Stingers, Team Freedom has been missing key players Christopher Nugent, Christopher Vaughn, and Josue Castillo.

Coach Justin Beaumont had no choice but to turn to his deep bench of players with very little playing since being brought on to the team. However, still fighting with veterans like Matt Seifert, Joe Norman, and Jonathon Lutz to rely on, Team Freedom lost their last four matches. 

Of the four losses, however, the last three were hard-fought, each going to five sets. The extended matches gave Team Freedoms’ less played outside hitters like Besmir Arslani, Jefferey Nelson, and Jake Rosener more time to build chemistry with the rest of the starting lineup. 

The Stingers, by far, are the most talented and experienced NVA team coming off with a strong start at the start of the season, going 3-0. Leo Durkin and Hamilton Day have shared their setting duties running an efficient offense. So far, the apparent offensive starters for the team will be Jake Langlois, Jorge Mencia, Inovel Romero, Rusty Lavaja, and Alex Shmelev. But the team still has some solid supporting cast members with libero Kai Dugquem, Carson Henninger, Cory Metcalf, Paul Clark, and Storm Tufuga-Fa’gata. But other groups like the Ramblers, Team Freedom and Southern Exposure have been prepared for what the Utah Squad had to offer. 

The Stingers suffered back-to-back losses to the Ramblers and Team Freedom, with the matches going to five sets. Looking like they could bounce back in their season, beating the Stunners and Blaze; Southern Exposure took another blow to the Stingers’ record in a 5 set marathon match. The Stingers ended their season with a win against the Untouchables and a 6-3 record. However, that winning record was only good enough for a third-place finish in the American Conference behind the Ramblers and Tyrants, each with a record of 7-2.

Prediction: While Team Freedom is happy to be in the playoffs, there are some big questions that they’ll need to answer come game time. Will Nugent, Vaughn, and Castillo be well enough to play? If they do, how long will it take for them and their teammates to find the winning rhythm they had earlier in the year? Another is if Nugent, Vaughn, or Castillo don’t perform well, will Coach Beaumont pull the trigger and turn to his bench to replace them during the match? Either way beating the Stingers will not be an easy task. 

One advantage Team Freedom may have is that the Stingers tend to start slow. That could give Team Freedom the time they’ll need to recapture the winning chemistry and confidence they had earlier in the year.  

Team Freedom’s best chance of winning is with a healthy Nugent and Vaughan. Hopefully, that will be the case because it will be a better playoff match with both teams at full strength.

Although the Stingers finished in 3rd place, they received a good seed that placed them against the imbalanced Team Freedom, ending the season with a four-game losing streak. The Stingers have two more substantial incentives to defeat Team Freedom. One is payback for an earlier loss this season and a chance to repeat as NVA Champions. Therefore, it’s hard to bet against the Stingers.

The unanswered questions about Team Freedom’s lineup have given the Stingers the edge. Stingers 3, Team Freedom 0. 

Next up is the last playoff match between the Ramblers #1 Seed in American Conference versus the Matadors #4 Seed in National Conference at 7:00 pm. To find more articles about Team Freedom’s and the Utah Stinger’s regular season, check out their news section at the bottom of their team websites. 

https://teamfreedom.nvausa.com/

https://stingers.nvausa.com 

“Volley On With the NVA!”

• By NVA Staff Writer