The Texas Tyrants began their own Instagram trend of ‘workout accountability shoutouts’ on their stories this past year, which slowly became a team staple. The movement started with Setter Isaiah Acfalle and Opposite Tim Johnson posting selfies of themselves working out, quickly spreading to the rest of their teammates and even to other teams in the league. The two recently shared some background on the posts becoming part of their team culture and its impact on their ability to stay strong in the gym during the NVA offseason.

“I don’t remember when or how it started, really!” shared Acfalle. The two, Johnson and Acfalle, were workout partners when they decided to essentially ‘call each other out’ on social media to hit the gym and work out when they could not lift together. “We wanted to find a way to make sure the other wasn’t slacking off. Then more people wanted to take part as well (because) they liked the accountability aspect of it!” Acfalle went on to say. Soon after, these two created a poll on their Instagram stories to see who else wanted to join in and be tagged on social media in their public shoutouts.

Johnson shared how lifting weights together with your teammates helps not only strengthen your body but can also build team chemistry. He mentioned, “In those sessions, we push each other and give each other feedback. If I feel that I can’t do the extra rep or additional session knowing that I have people around to help me push through.” For everyone involved in the trend, the accountability posts helped to fill that void left when there wasn’t someone else there to lift with you.

Overall, the trend paid off for the Texas Tyrants as they became a force to be reckoned with in the 2021 NVA season. After a slow start, the Tyrants finished the year as one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs and were the only team to take the eventual 2021 Champions, O.C. Stunners, to five sets in the playoffs. “The whole experience felt like we were the Average Joe’s from the movie Dodgeball,” Acfalle said.

Johnson explained the transition from college to becoming a professional athlete and the importance of creating an environment where it is easy to make investing in your body a priority. “No one is going to lead you to the gym or help you maintain a healthy diet. That is your responsibility, and proper preparation is key to making sure you stay on track,” he mentioned.

Lastly, when asked what advice they would give to others wanting to get their friends and teammates involved in an accountability thread, Acfalle had this to say; “We aren’t tagging people that we think need to go lift because they are out of shape. We tag them (because) they have goals and things they want to achieve.”

Johnson also gave his advice regarding accountability, stating, “We are all in different stages of life, fitness, and different stages in our careers as Professional Athletes. But if we commit to helping each other, no matter what stage we are at, then we will continue to grow together.” He followed up on that idea by also sharing a lesson Acfalle taught him. He said, “Being at the gym is a competition with yourself. Be the best version of you that YOU can be. No need to compare to others; focus and work on yourself. Thanks, coach Zay!”

Still, today the team is holding each other accountable on social media to hit the weights and keep diving in the sand this offseason. The Texas Tyrants have big goals and expectations for this upcoming season, all doing their part to accomplish these goals together. To see what all the talk is about, go on Instagram and give Acfalle (@acfalle), Johnson (@tim.johnson17), and the Texas Tyrants (@texastyrants) a follow to join in and follow their journey!

“Volley On With the NVA!”

-NVA Staff Writer

Finishing off the 2021 season, no one expected the Texas Tyrants to finish in 5th place with three other teams, unable to pull through the quarter-finals and make a deeper run in the playoffs. Especially after the Tyrants finished 2nd during the regular season, just coming shy of two winning sets for first after tying in points with the Vegas Ramblers.

Despite the unfortunate outcomes of being knocked out in the first round of post-season competition, the Tyrants still came away with some players within the Top 10 rankings. These stats are based on player’s regular season and playoff performances, excluding players who have not played ten or more sets or have not made 100 attempts or more.

Gianluca Grasso was awarded the Best OH2 during the closing ceremony of the championship event, mainly due to his points production during the season. With 163 points, Gian was ranked 2nd for ‘best scorer’ (total points) and 6th for points per set, averaging 4.29 (163/38). For his defensive stats, Gian ranked 4th for reception averaging 91% (161/176) positive passes and 7th in total digs with 75. Then lastly, tying for 8th for total aces at 10

Daniel Jacobs showed to be a lethal weapon for his team when he came off the bench, ranking 7th in attack efficiency, hitting at 48% (62/128).

Daniel’s efficiency was also linked to Isaiah Acfalle’s success as the “pinch” setter. Isaiah ranked 2nd among setters for efficiency on assists averaging 35.56% [(68-5-15)/135].

Anthony Robinson pulled off quite an impressive season as he finally got a significant starting time after leaving the Matadors. He tied for 8th for total blocks with 17 and was even selected for the dream team for top OH2 after event three.

Libero Julian Rivera, a surprise pick-up, was instrumental in the team’s defense. He finished 2nd for passing with a 92% (191/207) positive reception and was even NUMBER ONE for total digs with a whopping 98 digs.

Only one year together under their belts, the Tyrants became one of the most feared teams in the league. With all these top players returning next year, all staying local this off-season rather than playing abroad, the Tyrants should be back with even more team chemistry as a heavy favorite for the finals.

“Volley On With the NVA!”

– NVA Staff Writer

November 5, 2020 Match #5 Stingers Vs Tyrants

Set #1 – Stingers 26, Tyrants 24

Tyrants jumped out to a 3-0 lead from 2 kills and a Stingers’ hitting error. Stingers countered quickly with a side-out and block point to reduce the Tyrants lead to 5-3. The Tyrants increased their lead from 9-6 to 15-8 after a dig, kill and block point and Stingers’ hitting error and over pass kill. Stingers finally stopped the bleeding at 15-9. But the Tyrants increased their lead on a block point to 17-10. Stingers scored three consecutive points back on a two kills and a block and rallied to 19-16. But the Tyrants answered with a side-out, block and Stingers’ hitting error to increase their lead again to 22-16. Stingers followed up with a 3-point run from two kills and a Tyrants’ hitting error to reduce the lead to 23-22. A Stinger service error gave the Tyrants a 24-23 lead. But the Stingers rallied to take a 25-24 lead after a Tyrants’ service error and a block. Both teams sided out and then the Stingers won the set point on a block.

Stingers  – 13 Kills, 5 Block Points and 8 Opponent Errors; 88% Reception and 45% Hitting.

Tyrants – 2 Aces, 13 Kills, 4 Block Points and 5 Opponent Errors; 87% Reception and 46% Hitting.

Set # 2 – Stingers 25, Tyrants 21

The Stingers jumped out to a 4-0 lead from 3 kills and a Tyrants’ hitting error. Another Tyrants’ hitting error increased the Stingers’ lead to 6-1. But the Tyrants bounce back with 3 consecutive points to 6-4. Stingers sided out and score two more points off a block, Tyrants’ hitting error and an ace  to take a 11-5 lead. Stingers continued to increase their lead to 14-6 with two kills. Tyrants rallied with good defense and kills and an ace to cut the lead to 17-15. Stingers quickly countered with a solid kill to 18-16. Then, increased their lead to 21-16 with three consecutive kills. Tyrants rallied back to 22-19. But the Stingers scored two consecutive points to 24-19. Tyrants sided out and then scored on their serve 24-21. Stingers won the set with a kill.

Stingers  – 1 Ace, 12 Kills, 1 Block Point and 11 Opponent Errors; 81% Reception and 40% Hitting.

Tyrants – 1 Aces, 12 Kills, 2 Block Points and 6 Opponent Errors; 87% Reception and 46% Hitting.

Set #3 – Stingers 25, Tyrants 21

Tyrants took an early one point lead 4-3. At 7-7 the Stingers scored a point on a Tyrant hitting error to take the lead 8-7. The Tyrants tied it at 9-9 and took the lead with a block and followed up with two kills off the block to extend their lead to 12-9. Stingers countered with two clean kills and one off the block to tie the set 12-12. The Stinger rally ended on a hitting error that gave the Tyrants a one point lead at13-12. Stingers bounce back with two consecutive kills and took the lead 14-13. At 15-15 Tyrants regained the lead on a clean kill at 16-15. Both teams continued to side-out until 19-19 and then the Stingers’ took the lead on a kill 21-19. Tyrants called a time out to regroup and sided-out with a kill and then tied the game with a block point 21-21. Stingers counter with a clean kill 22-21, followed it with another kill and took a 23-21 lead. A Tyrant’s hitting error sets up set and match point at 24-21. The set and match ends with a Stingers’ block point.

Stingers  – 1 Ace, 18 Kills, 5 Block Points and 8 Opponent Errors; 94% Reception and 64% Hitting.

Tyrants – 2 Aces, 13 Kills, 1 Block Points and 5 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 52% Hitting.