The USA Volleyball Show

In this episode, we welcome USA Volleyball Director of Indoor NTDP Kris Berzins to the show (1:51 - 1:03:15). Kris talks about his background in volleyball and how he first was introduced to the game. He breaks down what the National Team Development Program (NTDP) is, what the recruiting process looks like for finding athletes and coaches, and what NTDP trainings look like. He shares his thoughts on the future of volleyball with LA28 just around the corner, the growth of boys volleyball and the sport as a whole in the U.S. and so much more.

https://usavolleyball.org/play/national-team-development-program/indoor-ntdp/

For more information on NTDP, email Kris, @kris.berzins@usav.org or ntdpinfo@usav.org

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In this episode, we welcome U.S. Women's National Team middle blocker Molly McCage to the show (0:51 - 57:03). We catch up with Molly ahead of her third season with LOVB Austin. Molly reflects on the last two seasons playing on the national team and describes a day in her life while training. She talks about how she was introduced to the game, her short-lived retirement, her pro career overseas and in the U.S. and so much more.

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In this episode, we welcome U.S. Beach A2 National Team athletes Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst to the show (0:51 - 49:36). Gage and Thomas chat about how they were first introduced to the game. Gage talks about finding the beach in Colorado and Thomas talks about how he found the beach in Texas. They share about how the NTDP pipeline helped shape their game and how their Colorado Cupcakes brand brings a fun spin to their partnership. Learn about what makes this team work, and so much more!

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In this episode, we were LIVE(ish) again from Hangzhou, China at the 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting World Championship. We welcomed U.S. Men's Sitting National Team libero Travis Ricks to the show (1:00 - 38:30). We caught up with Travis following competition at Worlds, and he talks about the results of the Men's team and the team qualifying for LA28, as well as shares about his experience competing in China. Travis talks about his journey in volleyball, starting out as a multisport athlete, finding sitting volleyball and coming back to competition after retiring and so much more!

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In this episode, we were LIVE(ish) from Hangzhou, China, at the 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting World Championship. We welcomed Paralympic gold medalist and U.S. Women's Sitting Team athlete Jillian Coffee to the show (1:00 - 42:28). We caught up with Jillian before competition started at Worlds, and she shares what it would take for her and the team to win this event, as well as shares about competing in China. She talks about her journey in volleyball, being a mother and National Team athlete, and coming back to competition after having a child. She also talks about her foundation, hunting and so much more!

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In this episode, we welcome 2-time Olympic gold medalist Dave Saunders to the show (2:16 - 1:05:35). Dive into Dave's career. We start off chatting about Dave's recent induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Ceremony in Orlando. Dave then chats all about his career, including winning the historic, first-ever gold medal for USA Volleyball and the U.S. Men's National Team and so much more!

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In this episode, we welcome U.S. Beach Olympic silver medalist Jen Kessy to the show (2:03 - 1:00:17). We take a deep dive into Jen's career. First we chat about Jen's recent induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Ceremony in Orlando. Jen chats all about her career, including the all USA Beach finals match at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Jen talks about coaching former teammate April Ross and her partner Alix Klineman ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games and so much more!

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In this episode, we welcome Olympic gold medalist and two-time Olympian Riley Salmon to the show (3:43 - 1:11:37). We take a deep dive into Riley's career. We start off by celebrating Riley and his upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Riley shares all about his career, including his incredible journey at the Beijing Olympic Games. Riley shares about how important your team is and the importance of "we." Riley talks about his coaching background and what he's been doing since retirement. We have a special guest that crashes the interview and so much more!

2026 Hall of Fame Silent Auction: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/usavolleyballfoundationauction/items/

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In this episode, we welcome 3-time Olympic medalist Foluke Akinradewo to the show (3:16 - 59:19). We're diving into Foluke's illustrious career, starting with celebrating her upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Foluke then shares stories from her career and memories from all of her Olympic experiences. She catches us up on her family, what she's been doing since retirement, her upcoming start in nursing school and so much more!

Get your tickets to the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame: https://go.usav.org/26halloffame

Silent Auction: 2026 - Hall of Fame

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In this episode, we welcome 4-time Paralympic medalist Nichole Millage-Faust to the show (2:20 - 1:09:37). We take a deep dive into Nichole's career. We start by celebrating her upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Nichole then shares about some stories from her career and memories from all of her Paralympic experiences. She catches up on what she's been doing since retirement, we have a surprise guest crash the interview and so much more!

Get your tickets to the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame: https://go.usav.org/26halloffame

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In this episode, we welcome University of Maryland Eastern Shore Men's head coach Dr. Anitra Brockman and 'Why Not Us' director Victor Vitarelli to the show (2:40 - 1:21:16). We go behind the scenes into the creation of the ESPN Original documentary focusing on the creation of the UMES Men's volleyball program. Anitra talks about what drew her to UMES and some of the goals she has. Victor talks about why he got involved in this project and gave some insights in the creation of the documentary and so much more! Stream 'Why Not Us' on ESPN+ and the ESPN App today.

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In this episode, we welcome Beach Olympian and U.S. Beach National Team athlete Chaim Schalk to the show (3:02 - 1:06:49). We take a beach volleyball deep dive and explore Chaim's insane career. Chaim talks about his continued beach partnership with James Shaw and their goal to qualify for LA2028, as well as his recent engagement to Toni Rodriguez. Chaim takes us through his upbringing and how he was constantly competing with his brothers to building his own home beach volleyball court. Chaim talks about his dual-citizenship with Canada-USA, his Rio Olympic Games experience and so much more!

Get your 2026 Men's VNL Tickets now: https://go.usav.org/2626vnltickets

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In this episode, we were LIVE(ish) from the 2025 AVCA Convention December and welcomed back three-time Paralympic gold medalist, friend of the pod and U.S. Women's Sitting National Team setter Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (2:40 - 43:19). Kaleo catches us up on her life since she was last on the show in one of our first episodes. She shares about the success, growth and depth of the Women's Sitting National Team, she shares about her continued partnership with Mizuno, talks about winning GOLD in Paris, and we learn more about her family.

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In this episode we were LIVE(ish) from the 2025 AVCA Convention in Kansas City and we had the pleasure of sitting down with MLV Indy Ignite opposite Azhani Tealer and libero Elena Scott (3:17 - 31:49). They talk about their journeys in volleyball and transitioning from the college game to pro. They share about some of the passions, stories from competing, and so much more.

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We are LIVE(ish) from the MPSF Men's Volleyball Media Day. We welcome Pepperdine libero Jacob Reilly; BYU outside hitter Trent Moser, Stanford setter Theoren Brouillette and USC outside hitter Dillon Klein to the show (1:38 - 24:47). We take a deep dive into the 2026 NCAA Men's Volleyball season. You won't want to miss this one.

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In this episode, we welcome USA Volleyball NTDP Coach and new Long Beach State Men's Volleyball head coach Nick MacRae to the show (1:30 - 39:45). Nick takes a deep dive into the upcoming 2026 Men's NCAA season. Nick shares his gratitude for his new role, as well as how this is a full circle moment for him, as he once played for LBSU. He also looks back on the lessons former head coach Alan Knipe instilled, and so much more.

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In this SPECIAL BONUS episode 137, Stephen and Sevrin are LIVE(ish) in Kansas City at the 2025 NCAA Women’s DI National Championship. They chat with volleyball commentator and sideline reporter for ESPN Katie George (2:45 - 14:40). Katie talks about her background and how she got her start in commentating. She shares her thoughts on Thursday’s final four lineups, and gives advice to anyone looking to get into commentating, and so much more!

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In this episode, Stephen and Sevrin are LIVE(ish) in Kansas City at the 2025 NCAA Women’s DI National Championship. They speak with athletes from each of the four competing teams: Morgan Perkins of Texas A&M, Abbey Emch from Pitt, Natalie Wardlow from Wisconsin and Molly Tuozzo from Kentucky (7:18 - 37:07). They share so many great insights and tidbits heading into the semifinals. You won’t want to miss this!

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In this episode, after a long time apart, Stephen and Sevrin are back together after a busy season. They catch up and then welcome 2-time Olympic silver medalist and U.S. Women's National Team assistant coach Tayyiba Haneef-Park to the show (7:16 - 1:11:20). Tayyiba shares about her background competing and coaching on the U.S. Women's National Team. She talks about the professional leagues in the U.S. and coaching for LOVB Austin. She talks about her time coaching in the U.S. pipeline, including the recent historic Girls U17 National Team gold medal win at the 2025 NORCECA Continental Championship and so much more!

Use code ZENNIUSAV at checkout for 15% off: https://www.zennioptical.com/

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In this episode, we take a deep-dive into the men's collegiate game by welcoming Men's U21 National Team and USC men's volleyball outside hitter Sterling Foley (02:50 - 40:47) to the show. Sterling talks all about his upcoming season at USC, why he chose to be a Trojan and being coached by head coach Jeff Nygaard. He also chats about his time making history with the U21 team, how he was introduced to the game and so much more.

Use code ZENNIUSAV at checkout for 15% off: https://www.zennioptical.com/

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