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 now feature both 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 talent 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

This NVA off-season Texas Tyrants Outside, Gianluca Grasso, is competing for his second season in the Puerto Rican Premier league with the Caribes de San Sebastián! Transferring from his last team with the Mulos de Juncos, Gian has moved from the central east side to a slightly larger municipality on the west side of the island in San Sebastián.

During the club’s dominance at the height of the Puerto Rican Superior League in the 2000s, the Caribes hosted two of the most legendary middle blockers from the USA National team David Lee and David Smith at the start of their professional careers. Gian is also the second USC alumni to play for the team with 2002 alumni, Opposite Brook Billings, competing for the Caribes during the early part of his impressive 14-year international career.

Grasso has made a massive statement to the rest of the league, scoring 35 points in two matches victories against the Changos de Naranjitos and the Patriotes de Lares. Having the best stats of the superior league thus far, Gian was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the week! After the season Gian had with the NVA, as the second-highest scorer in the league, it is no surprise that he is doing so well already.

The Caribes de San Sebastián have high hopes for Grasso and the team this year as they look to return to the podium for the first time since the club took 1st place back during the 1999/00 season. With LA Blaze Opposite Rafael Cruz and Outside Pablo Guzman also on the roster, the Caribes are likely favorites to finally knock the Mets de Guaynabo off their five-year reign over the league.

Be sure to follow both Gianluca Grasso (@gianlucagrassovolley) and the Caribes de San Sebastián (@losnuevos.caribessansebastian) on Instagram to find information on all of their upcoming games and to find awesome videos and photos of Gian tearing it up on the court. The Texas Tyrants love to see all the success Gian is having and can’t wait to see him in the gym next season!

“Volley On With the NVA!”

-NVA Staff Writer

Anthony Ka’aiwaihia-Ebanez has been shaking up the league this season as the Texas Tyrants now see themselves behind Vegas Ramblers in second place of the American Conference. Before his entrance into the NVA, Anthony, better known as Beyonce, has been a hot commodity in many volleyball leagues, including the North American Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) and USAV Adult Club Tournaments. With her wild whip of an arm and aggressive plays at the net and on defense, Anthony has become one of the most sensational products to come from Waianae, Hawaii.  

Completing the regular season, Anthony has been ranked as the league’s best OH2 in the NVA Dream Team by DataVolley, based on his overall statistical performance. Placed alongside other players such as the Vegas Ramblers Brandon Rattray, who is ranked as the league’s best OH1, Anthony is the only Tyrant to have made the team selection. Beyonce is also the first and only openly LGBTQ+ player to have made the dream team so far in the NVA! 

The accolade is not unfamiliar for Anthony as the Graceland Alumni has been a 3x All-American during his career in the NAIA. Much of her success comes from killer instincts and a fierce competitive spirit that she feels every young player should use to their advantage no matter what competition they face. 

“You have to be unapologetic about who you are and shove it into other team’s faces. I love it when I’m ‘Queening Out’ on the court as it not only breaks opponents down when we win the point. Especially when you get your team to back you up, that’s when you’ll start to make a huge impact on the game. -Anthony “Beyonce” Ka’aiwaihia-Ebanez 

Make sure to catch Anthony in action as the Tyrants make their push into the playoffs! They will be taking on the OC Stunners for the first elimination match of the NVA Championship starting July 9th. So go ahead and give Anthony (@omgitstonyy), Texas Tyrants (@texastyrants), and the NVA (@nvausa) a follow on Instagram to stay up with the team and catch highlight clips from Event 3.   

Happy PRIDE Month, Everyone!

Tyrants Outkill the Matadors 64 to 50 to Win In 5 Sets

In the first set the Tyrants took the early lead 8-2 on kills by MB # 2 Pasha Zakhir, two blocks by #1 Anthony Robinson, bic by #9 Gianluca Grasso, line kill by #17 Tim Johnson and MB #15 Ryan Maune. Matadors scored their two points from #12 Issac Mauro. Tyrants kept their lead up until the media timeout at 16-12. But the Matadors launched a comeback that began with points from a dump by #1 Jesus Serrano and service ace by Issac. After Tyrants countered with a Grasso kill off the block, the Matadors started another run with a double block by #6 Diego Bustos and #2 Brett Massetti, kill by #17 Jacob Vander Been and service ace by J. Serrano; and then a Bustos one-handed block tied the set at 18-18. Tyrants took the lead again and kept it until 20-20. Matadors took their first lead of the set on a kill by Mauro after a Tyrants’ overpass 21-20. Then at 23-23 the Tyrants committed a service and hitting error that gave the Matadors the 25-23 win. 

The second set resulted in the same score but with the Tyrants coming out on top. Like the first set the Tyrants took the early lead 4-1 thanks to a Matadors’ net violations and kill and service ace by Grasso. The Matadors rallied back and took the lead 9-8 after a couple of short runs with a combination of Tyrants’ errors, service ace by Bustos, two kills, block and service ace by Issac. Tyrants rallied back and took the lead at 10-9 after a  Matador service error and Grasso kill. Before the media timeout the Tyrants increased their lead to 19-14 with a scoring run from a sharp angle kill by Johnson, two kills by #16 Daniel Jacobs and kill by MB Maune. The Matadors attempted a rally with kills by Vander Beek, Issac and J. Serrano. But the Tyrants held on to their lead and closed the set with a sharp angle kill by Johnson and service ace by Pasha. 

The Matadors dominated set number three with an early lead and never relinquished it. In the early going Matadors scored on two kills and block by Issac, kill by #18 Gabriel Cruz and block by #15 Matrin Petris. The Tyrants scored points from kills by Grasso and Maune but fell into a defensive rut and had trouble scoring points. This gave the Matadors more opportunities to score points and a 16-11 lead at the media timeout. The Matadors increased their lead to 23-13 from Tyrants’ errors and kills by #18 Gabriel Cruz, #9 Jorge Cabrera and blocks by Cruz and Petris. And then won the set after a Petris kill and Tyrants’ service error 25-16. 

Set number four ended in the same score 25-16 but different result with the Tyrants taking the early lead and never relinquishing it. A combination of Matadors’ errors, better Tyrants’ defense and kills gave them an 11-4 lead. Grasso and Johnson lit up the court with series of kills and blocks. Matadors traded points with the Tyrants for the rest of the set until 23-15. Then a Jacobs’ kill off the block and Grasso cross court kill won the set for the Tyrants. 

In set number five the Tyrants took the early lead 7-2 on kill and block by #22 Austen Lovett and two kills and block by Johnson. Tyrants kept their five-point lead until 12-7. At 13-8 the Matadors rallied back with better defense. Their scoring run began with a Tyrants’ service followed by a Petris block, Vander Been line kill and Tyrants’ hitting error that tied the score at 13-13. The Tyrants won the set from a Matador’s service error and double block by Lovett and Robinson 15-13. 

Gianluca Grasso led all players with 22 kills followed byTim Johnson with 16 kills. For the Matadors Mauro Issac had a team high 14 kills followed by Jacob Vander Beek with 9 kills. 

Tyrants’ High Energy and Aggressive Play Factors in Sweep of Untouchables  

Untouchables scored the first point of the match on a roll kill by #4 setter Ian Capp and their second point on a service ace by Capp. Tyrants scored their first clean point at 5-3 from #15 MB Ryan Maune. Untouchables increased their lead to 12-7 after two Tyrants’ hitting errors. But the Untouchables’s hitters struggled to find the court and committed 3 hitting errors in a row that cut their lead to one point 13-12. Untouchables increased their lead again to 3 points after a kill by #16 MB Paul Bilanzic to 16-13. Tyrants rallied to tie the score at 20-20 after a block by #22 MB Austen Lovett and then took the lead on a kill from #1 Anthony Robinson after an Untouchables overpass. Untouchables rallied back to tie the score at 23-23 after a kill by #18 MB Thomas Burrell. Both teams sided-out to 25-25. Tyrants took a 26-25 lead on a kill by Lovett after another Untouchables’ overpass. Then won the set from on a Untouchables’ hitting error 28-26.

In set number two the Tyrants scored the first four points that began with an Untouchables’ service error. And then scored the next three points from a bic kill by #9 Gianluca Grasso and two kills by Robinson to 4-0. The Untouchables scored their first clean point at 5-2 on a kill by Bilanzic. Two consecutive hitting errors by the Tyrants cut the lead to one point at 9-8. The Untouchables tied the match at 10-10 from a kill by Capp and Tyrants’ hitting error. Tyrants kept the lead on a kill and service ace by Lovett to 13-11. Both teams cleaned-up their play and sided-out well. Untouchables scored on kills by Burrell, Ragland, #11 Kyle Schwede and #9 Jake Milnaziak. Torndoes scored on kills by Maune, Grasso, #16 Daniel Jacobs and block by Lovett. Tyrants won the set on a block from Jacobs 25-20.

Tyrants took the lead on the first point from an Untouchable service error. The teams exchanged leads on kills from Schwede, Milnaziak, Burrell and Ragland for the Untouchables and two kills from Maune for the Tyrants. At 5-5 the Tyrants took the lead from an Untouchables’ hitting error and then added to it on a kill by Grasso and service ace by Maune for a 8-5 lead. Tyrants kept their 3-point lead on kills by Maune, Robinson, Grasso and Jacobs. And Untouchables scored on kills by Schwede, #15 Rick Ramos, Burrell and Bilanziac. The Untouchables cut the lead to 22-21 after consecutive kills by Burrell and Ramos. But the Tyrants scored the next two points from a Grasso kill and Untouchables’ hitting error; and then won the set and match on a kill by Jacobs 25-22. 

Gianluca Grasso led all players with 14 kills. His Tyrant teammates Daniel Jacobs had 9 kills and Anthony Robinson had 8 kills. Untouchables were led by Kyle Schwede with 10 kills, Paul Bilanzic and Thomas Burrell with 8 kills each and Will Ragland 6 kills. Tyrants also scored points on 3 service aces and 7 blocks. And Untouchables on 3 service aces and 2 blocks. 

Tyrants Tenacious Play Conquers Team Freedom in 5 Sets

Tyrants’ #9 Gianluca Grasso scored the first clean point of  the match on a tool. Both teams came out swinging and only committed three hitting errors and two service errors in the beginning of the set. Tyrants scored points on kills by #17 Tim Johnson, #15 Ryan Maune and Grasso. Team Freedom scored on kills by #11 Mikheil Hoyte, #18 Jonathon Lutz, #17 Keith Kegerreis and a double block by  Hoyte and #4 setter Matt Elias. After a Team Freedom hitting error at 8-8, Tyrants increased their lead by 3 points on a Grasso kill, another Team Freedom hitting error and kill by #15 Ryan Maune at 14-11. Team Freedom made an effort to rally back with kills from a dump by setter Elias, kill by #2 Jake Rosner, Elias service ace, Hoyte kill and #19 Jeffrey Nelson. Tyrants scored on points by Maune, Grasso, 3 consecutive kills by #22 MB Austen Lovett and closed out the set on kills by #1 Anthony Robinson and #16 Daniel Jacobs 25-20. 

In set number two turned Team Freedom’s #20 Joe Norman and MB Hoyte scored for most of their points. It started with a Hoyte block that gave Team Freedom a 3-1 lead. Norman scored a kill to 4-2. At 5-3 Maune scored the next two Tyrants’ points. But a Rosner kill and block by setter Elias increased Team Freedom’s lead to 9-5. After Grasso scored on a line kill at 12-8, Team Freedom increased their lead on three consecutive kills. The first by Hoyte, Nelson and Hoyte again to 15-8. After the media timeout Norman scored on back-to-back kiss for an 18-10 lead. Team Freedom kept this lead until Tyrants scored a mini run from a Team Freedom hitting error and block and kill by Lovett to 18-15. However, Team Freedom was able to establish the middle again on consecutive kills by Hoyte to keep a 4-point lead 21-17. At 21-18 Norman scored back-to-back kills and Hoyte followed with a service ace to increase their lead to 24-18. Tyrants scored on two consecutive kills by Robinson and then Team Freedom won the set on a kill by #17 Keith Kegerries 25-20. 

Isaiah Acfalle #11 replaced #10 Gabriel Quinones at setter in set number three. Team Freedom scored the first point on a Hoyte block. Tyrants scored the next 3 points on kills by Grasso, Robinson and Jacobs to 3-0. Team Freedom struggled to find the court that gave the Tyrants free points. After a Team Freedom hitting error, the Tyrants scored 4 consecutive points on two kills by Jacobs and Robinson, a block by Maune and service ace by Jacobs to 11-4. Team Freedom hit a dry spell and only scored points on Tyrants’ hitting errors. But at 15-8 Team Freedom scored a clean point on a block by Hoyte to 15-9. Two possessions late Grasso scored back-to-back points on a kill and service ace to 18-10. After a net by the Tyrants, Team Freedom scored two consecutive points by Hoyte from a kill and block. At 21-15 Tyrants increased their lead to 24-15 on Grasso kill and back-to-back blocks by Lovett. Rosner scored the last clean point for Team Freedom and then Tyrants won the set on a Grasso kill 25-20. 

In set number four Joe Norman scored Team Freedom’s first four clean points that helped his team take a 2 point lead at 5-3. Tyrants countered with kills by Grasso, Robinson and Jacobs to a 6-6 tie. On the next possession Tyrants took the lead on a Maune kill. A Grasso kill and kill by Acfalle after a Team Freedom overpass gave Tyrants a 10-6 lead. At 11-8 Grasso and Lovett scored back-to-back kills for a 13-8 lead. Team Freedom tied the score after consecutive scores by setters Elias from a dump and service ace, two consecutive Tyrants hitting errors and Seifert block. A Rosner kill after a Tyrants’ overpass gave Team Freedom the lead 14-13. Seifert followed up with kill to 15-13. Tyrants rallied back to tie the score again on a kill and service ace by Grasso and block by Robinson to 16-16. Team Freedom kept their lead from a Norman kill to 17-16. But Tyrants retook the lead at 20-19 after a Jacobs kill and service ace. At 22-22 Team Freedom took the lead back on a Elias block 23-22. After Grasso scored on a kill to 24-23, Team Freedom won the match on a block by Rosner 25-23. 

Team Freedom took the early lead in set number five on a kill by Rosner, Tyrants’ hitting error and two kills by Norman to 4-3, while Tyrants scored on a kill by Jacobs and two kills by Robinson. After Maune scored skill that tied the score 4-4, Tyrants started a mini run with another Maune kill, Robinson kill, service ace by Jacobs, double block by Robinson and Maune and Robinson kill for a 9-4 lead. While the Tyrants sided-out, Team Freedom committed hitting errors that kept them from launching a rally. At 13-9 Tyrants scored on a kill by Jacobs to 14-9. Teams Freedom sided-out on a Norman kill and then Jacobs scored set and match point on a line kill off the block 15-10. 

Gianluca Grasso led all players with 24 kills. His teammates Anthony Robinson and Daniel Jacobs scored 14 and 13 kills. Joe Norman led Team Freedom with 16 kills, followed by Mikheil Hoyte 10 kills and Jefferey Nelson 9 kills. Tyrants also score on 6 aces and 9 blocks. And Team Freedom on 4 aces and 9 blocks.  

Game 3, Orlando Southern Exposure V.S Texas Tyrants

Set 1

After the first three points for both teams, the Texas Tyrants made an early pull away with a pair of kills from Anthony Robinson and Gianluca Grasso. At the same time, Southern Exposure’s Chad Mercado continued to create a series of hitting and serving errors. The gap was solidified at 13-7 after Austen Lovett had back-to-back blocks. Southern Exposure couldn’t seem to find a way to get the ball to hit the floor, with Julian Rivera putting up six digs until it was too late to catch back up 19-12. Still, Southern Exposure made a trying effort scoring on a pair of three straight Tyrants errors while being down 17-22, with the set ending at 25-22 for the Tyrants.

Set 2

The roles reversed quickly as Derek Sullivan gave two early blocks and Mercado with a kill and ace. At the same time, the Tyrants made a string of errors giving Southern Exposure a 10-5 lead. However, rallying behind a stuff block by Ryan Maune, Grasso, and Gabriel Quinones began scoring again to bring the Tyrants back to 10-10 and force Southern Exposure to take a time out. Three straight kills from Lovett and Robinson gave the Tyrants their first solid lead of the match at 15-13. Again, a string of errors from Mercado pushed the Tyrants lead to 22-17. The Tyrants finished set 2 with authority with a service ace from Maune to put the score at 25-19.

Set 3

To begin the third set, Gianluca obliterated a ball down the line, showing Southern Exposure no concern for their safety. Both teams went to battle, each presenting their arsenal with a flurry of kills, tip, blocks, and aces, bringing the match to 9-9. Both sides had a series of five service errors that showed the low point of what men’s volleyball can be. Two massive blocks from Maune late in the match gave the Tyrants a debilitating lead at 23-21. After a time out, Southern Exposure was able to tie the game at 23-23 with a kill from Tyler Hubbard-Neil. But that was short-lived as the Tyrants cleaned up with a tip kill from Grasso and a stuff block from Lovett to end the game 25-23.

Game 4: Texas Tyrants v.s Los Angeles Blaze

Set 1

Set one begins with an error from Bugs on a double set, but they quickly get that point back after a massive block from Greg Faulkner. The Tyrants side out with a kill from Tim Johnson, and they receive the ball and Gianluca Grasso goes back on a three point service run accompanied by an overpass kill, score is 4-1 Tyrants. The Blaze answer back with a kill from LA8 and Jonathan Rodriguez, but the Tyrants capitalize on their big block from Ryan Maune and a missed serve takes them into a timeout 8-5 Texas in the lead. The LA Blaze come out of the timeout and notch a kill from Rafeal Cruz, but an error from Greg Faulkner and a kill from Gian give the Tyrants a four point lead, 10-6. The BLaze call a timeout but out of the timeout they commit an error and a block from Gianluca Grasso and a kill from Anthony Robinson give the Tyrants a demanding seven point lead. The Blaze answer back with kills from Pablo Guzman and Rafael Cruz, but still are prone to too many errors, score 16-8 Texas. The Tyrants begin to roll on the Blaze as Daniel Johnson gets two kills but Daniel Jacobs gets three kills and a block. Final Score 25-25 Texas Tyrants.

Set 2

Set two picks up right where set one left off, with the Tyrants just on an absolute roll. Ryan Maune gets three blocks and a kill, and Gianluca Grasso and Anthony Robinson both get kills to help out. The Tyrants lead 8-3 going into the technical timeout. Coming out of the timeout the Blaze starts getting Jonathan Rodriguez the ball as he goes two for two, but a block and a kill by Gianluca Grasso and an ace by Ryan Maune allow them to stay in the lead, score 12-7 Tyrants. The Blaze come out of the timeout with a little momentum with a block by Travis O’Gorman and Jonathan Rodriguez each and an error by Gianluca Grasso gets the score up to 12-10 Tyrants lead. Although the Blaze attempted to get some momentum back Daniel Johnson came in with a kill and two blocks to get the score to 16-12, Tyrants lead. The Tyrants continued with the momentum as Daniel Johnson decided to take over the game with three kills and two blocks. Jonathan Rodriguez and Travis O’Gorman attempted a response but the Tyrants continued to sideout consistently, 22-17 Tyrants. The Blaze had trouble getting their offense together after two errors and were sent off the court with an ace from Gianluca Grasso, final score 25-18 Tyrants.

Set 3

The LA Blaze came out of the side switch a little more fired up than the previous two sets, forcing the Tyrants to make a lot of hitting errors, but a block by Austin Lovett and multiple kills from Tim Johnson allowed the Tyrants to go into the technical timeout up 8-7. Once again the Tyrants came out of the timeout with some energy, as they started to feed Tim Johnson and Gianluca Grasso the ball as they both started racking up kills. Jonathan Rodriguez tried to slow them down with some kills as well but was not as effective as the Tyrants were able to push to an 18-14 lead. LA started to come back after multiple errors by the Tyrants and Steven Morales and Travis O’Gorman started to string together some kills, tying up the game at 20-20. Both teams then started to trade blows back and forth until an error by the Tyrants and a bic kill by Travis O’Gorman gave the LA Blaze the win, 26-28.

Set 4

Set four started off more even then the previous sets with both teams trading sideouts, Tyrants relying on Daniel Johnson to gather most of their kills and Travis O’Gorman grabbing points for the Blaze. A hitting error from Pedro Nieves brings the teams into the timeout with Tyrants in the lead 8-5. The Tyrants come out of the timeout on fire, setting Austin Lovett and Ginaluca Grasso consistently, giving them a huge 17-10 lead. Jonathan Rodriguez once again starts to get hot as the Blaze string together some runs to bring the score as close to 20-16, but multiple errors and a huge block from Austin Lovett gave the Texas Tyrants the win. Final Score 25-19.

Game 1: Texas Tyrants V.S Dallas Tornadoes

Set 1

The long-anticipated matchup between the Texas Tyrants and Dallas Tornadoes showed a grudge match from start to finish, with the Tyrants determined to become the kings of the south. With an early lead of 8-4, Tim Johnson scored two kills soaring high above the block. Middle Ryan Maune continued to be an impenetrable wall at the net while also running fast tempo routes. All-star Cuban Felix Chapman fought to perform the same as he did the day before with 30 points. Still, the long weekend looked to have taken a toll on Chapman’s abilities, eventually being subbed out after the Tyrants pulled ahead to 14-6. The Tyrants steamrolled through the final set as Daniel Jacobs checked into the match scoring four of the Tyrants’ last five points to end the set 25-17. 

Set 2

Getting off to a quick start, Tyrants middle Zakir Pasha gained an early lead (3-1) with two kills and a block. After taking some time to re-energize on the bench, Steven Roschitz came back ready to fill in the gaps for his team, scoring five kills to get within one point behind the Tyrants at 11-12. Maune continued to be a threat while he was in rotation in the front row, scoring another five points to get the team up to 23-20. Another ace from Anthony Robinson secured a game point. At the same time, Robinson’s reception and defense prevented the Tornadoes from responding as the Tyrants took the set 25-21. 

Set 3

The Tyrants capitalized on superior blocking, with the Tornadoes unable to keep a positive connection on offense. Ryan Maune gained another four blocks, which seemed to take away any energy the Tornadoes had left. Already behind 6-11, the Tornadoes became terminal with attacking errors while Gianluca Grasso and Tim Johnson destroyed the Dallas blocks on both sides of the pin, pushing the Tyrants’ lead to 21-11. Proving to be one of the best middle blockers of the weekend, Ryan Maune stamped his name as MVP of the match. Ending the set (25-14) with 2 consecutive blocks, Maune reached seven total blocks in the game and 14 total points.

Completing their first competition since their move from Tennessee, the Texas Tyrants come home from the west coast, having finished 1-2 for the weekend. Having beaten last year’s runner-up, the OC Stunners, the tyrants have shown the league that they are a force to be reckoned with this season. It was evident that even with being a young team, the Tyrants have become one of the most established organizations in the league.

Coached by Mauro Grasso, the Tyrants did a fantastic job getting the most out of their roster as the only team in the league to use two setter-opposite combinations in each game. Pairing setter Gabriel Quinones with opposite Tim Johnson and setter Isaiah Acfalle with opposite Daniel Jacobs (who are also housemates), the two duos sub in and out for one another to always have their heavy hitters in the front row. The Texas Tyrants also showed how all-star players from the NAIA and Division 3 are just as good as any player from a Division 1 program or has played professionally overseas. Some notable standouts in their win over the Stunners include Lourdes University alumni Ryan Moune (MB, #15) and Graceland University alumni Anthony Robinson (OH, #1).

Those in attendance also saw that the Tyrants have already developed a growing fan base that came out in full in San Bernadino. Except for some other teams’ fans who are present for events at their home venues, this is the first time that fans of the NVA have traveled such distances to cheer on their teams. Their enthusiastic support is an excellent sign of where the league is going and the growing influence professional men’s volleyball has in the United States.

Right out the gate, the Texas Tyrants were faced against the three best teams in the league and came out with some impressive results. From here, the Tyrants continue to fight the rest of the NVA, where they will likely have higher odds in their favor move up in the rankings for the American Conference. Their next match will be up against Florida’s Southern Exposure as the team travels out for the NVA’s second event of the 2021 season in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Until then, fans can catch recaps of the Tyrant’s completed matches on Youtube at NVA USA and stay up to date with the team by following them on Instagram (@txtyrants) and Facebook.

Day 1 Match #2 

Ramblers Gun Down Tyrants in 3 Sets

Ramblers started the 2021 season with two new players in their starting line up, OH Brandon Rattray and setter Michael Keegan. Rattray played in Spain and led the league in kills and kills per set. It didn’t take long for Keegan and Rattray to connect. Keegan was not shy about feeding Rattray right off the bat. And Rattray responded with kill after kill. Rattray’s play also pumped up his teammates and raised the level of their game. 

While the Tyrants gave their best effort with solid play from outside hitter Gianluca Grasso, who led the team with 7 kills and 2 block points and opposite Tim Johnson with 5 kills, Ramblers played almost flawless volleyball. They played like a well-oiled 7-cylinder engine. Everyone played a solid game on offense and defense. A play by libero Ryan Manoogian epitomized the Ramblers’ tenacious defensive performance. After a Rambler teammate ricocheted a ball off his shoulder, Manoogain reached out with one hand that set Ryan Mather for the kill. 

As the match went on Keegan shared the wealth on offense with Aguillard, Duarte, Ryan Schickling and Mather. The Ramblers’ middles Josh Duarte and Antwain Aguillard played a solid game at the net collecting touches to help their defense dig balls. Duarte reeled off his own highlight film in the beginning of the third set. He chickened wing a ball to help his teammates earn a point. Then followed up with a block and a kill.

Although the Tyrants played good defense they just didn’t have the same fire power as the Ramblers whose hitting percentage was 57% versus the Tyrants’ 33%. Rattray led all players with 17 kills and added 2 blocks. The final scores were 25-18, 25-18 and 25-16.

Day 2, Match #2

Tyrants’ Steady, Tenacious Defensive Contributed to Win Against Stunners

Stunners Libero Jake Hurtwitz joined the team, which made Matt Hilling available to play OH. The other lineup change was Nick West at MB. The Tyrants also made a lineup change from Friday’s match and started Anthony Robinson at OH and Ryan Maune at MB. 

Stunners’ setter Spence Andrews didn’t waste any time setting Hilling for the first kill, followed with kills by Nick West, Joey Jarvis. Tyrants countered with kills by Austin Lovett, Tim Johnson and Robinson to keep the score close. At 13-13 Hilling had a run of three kills and the Tyrants answered back with a series of blocks by Johnson, Maune and Robinson to keep the score tied. But a run of three kills by Jarvis gave the Stunners a three point lead at 21-18. Good Tyrants’ defense and kills by Johnson and Lovett tied the score at 21-21 and then Tyrants took the lead on a kill by Lovett 22-21. A kill by Hilling tied the set and started a service run that began with a Tyrant overpass and kill by Jarvis that gave the Stunners a 24-22 lead. Johnson followed with a kill to 24-23. And Jarvis won a joust to win the set for the Stunners 25-23.

In set two Javier Santiago started hot with 2 consecutive kills followed by a Nick Amado ace. Tyrants countered with a Grasso kill, block by setter Derrick Sullivan and two consecutive kills and a block by Tim Johnson. Andrews set Hilling for two consecutive kills. And after a West ace the Stunners had a three point lead at 11-8. Tyrants came back with kills by Robinson and Johnson and a block by Sullivan and tied the score at 14-14.  The rest of the set turned into a slugfest with a Stunner run of kills by Hilling and Santiago. Tyrants answered with kills by Grasso, Robinson and Johnson to take the lead 24-22. Santiago followed with two service aces to tie 24-24. But the Tyrants sided-out on a Johnson kill and then won the set on a transition play and tip kill by Johnson. 

Despite the tough second set lost the Stunners came out firing. Andrews decided to feed his outside hitters first.  Hilling, Santiago and Jarvis. Tyrants’ setter started his offense with Johnson and Grasso and Robinson added a block to take the lead 8-7. In the next nine Stunner possessions, Hilling had six of the kills and one each from Santiago, Jarvis and Amado. On the other side of the court Johnson, Robinson and Grasso had 2 kills each; and OH Daniel Jacobs and Maune each had a kill. With Stunners ahead 15-14 Nick West had two consecutive blocks and an ace to give the Stunners a 24-20 lead. Like the last set the Stunners struggled to side out and Tyrants took full advantage and tied the score with a Robinson kill and block; and a Johnson kill and Maune block. Amado and Hilling answered with one kill each and tied the score at 27-27. The Tyrants won on the next two points on a Grasso kill and block 29-27. 

Both teams sided out well in the beginning of the fourth set. Stunners scored with 4 kills by Hilling, and one kill by Jarvis and a block by West. Tyrants answered with two kills by Grasso and one each by Robinson and Lovett led to a 6-6 tie. At 10-10 the Tyrants took a three point lead with a block by Maune and kills by Grasso and Johnson. The Stunners countered with two Hilling kills, one West kill and block by Santiago to tie the score 16-16. But the Tyrants’ defense gave their offense opportunities to build a three point lead at 21-18. The Stunners only scored one more point and the Tyrants closed out the match with a kill by Daniel Jacobs, ace by Maune, block by Grasso and  the match ended on a Stunners’ net call 25-19.

In the loss Hilling led in kills with 22, Santiago 12 and Jarvis 9. The Stunners hit 39%. For the Tyrants Johnson and Grasso tied with 18 kills each and Robinson added 6 kills and the Tyrants hit 45%. 

Day 3, Match #1

Stingers Scored Points When It Counted to Overcome Valiant Effort by Tyrants

Both teams started the match with error free volleyball. Tyrants established the middle with Ryan Maune who scored their first two points. Stingers countered with middle blocker, Rusty Lavaja and Jake Langlois. Despite Tyrants’ kills by Gianluca Grasso and Anthony Robinson, two Tyrants’ service errors and Stingers’ kills by Jorge Mencia, Novel Romero, Lavaja and a Leo Durkin block gave the Stingers a three point lead before the media timeout 8-5. A string of errors by the Tyrants helped the the Stingers add to their lead after kills by Mencia and Langlois 11-6. But Tyrants rallied back with a block by Robinson and service aces from Grasso and Maune to cut the lead to 13-12. After a Johnson net, the Stingers with strong serves forced the Tyrants to play out of system and increased their lead again with two kills from Romero, one by Mencia and a Langlois block to 20-15. The Tyrants attempted a comeback with a short rally on two kills by Robinson, one by Grasso and Lovett block. Stingers countered with kills and block by Langlois; and then closed out the set with a Lavaja block for a 25-21 win. 

In set two Tyrants started strong and took a 6-5 lead with a Grasso ace and kill and two kills by Robinson. Stingers countered with Langlois, two consecutive middle block kills by Alex Shmelev and kill by Mencia. Stingers struggled with their passing and gave the Tyrants opportunities to score points from a couple of free and down balls. Kills by Johnson and middle blocker Austen Lovett, followed by a Lovett ace and Robinson block gave Tyrants a 9-6 lead. Tyrants sided out well and kept their lead. One of the highlights of the match occurred at 12-9. After a coverage dig on a Stingers block Durkin set Langlois but instead of spiking the ball he jump set back to Durkin for a rare setter kill. Nevertheless, the Tyrants added to their lead before the second media timeout at 16-12. At 18-15 after Tyrants couldn’t side out, kills by Romero, Mencia and Langlois sparked a Stingers comeback to tie 18-18. After both teams sided-out to 25-25, Stingers closed out the set with a behind the head spike by Langlois and Johnson error to 27-25. 

Like set two the Tyrants took an early 8-7 lead in third set with kills by Grasso, Daniel Jacobs and Robinson. Stringers countered with kills by Langlois, Mencia and Shmelev, who also added a block. At 14-12 consecutive blocks by Shmelev helped the Stingers launch a comeback to tie 16-16. Tyrants and Stingers exchanged leads with kills by Robinson, Grasso and Johnson for the Tyrants; and Mencia, Romero, Langlois and Lavaja for the Stingers. At 19-19 a Tyrants’ error and Lavaja block gave the Stingers a 21-19 lead. Stingers won the match 25-22 after a Lavaja and Langlois kill.

For the Tyrants Grasso led his team with 11 kills, Johnson 9, and Robinson and Jacobs with 6 each. Tyrants had 7 blocks and hit 45%. The stingers were led by Langlois with 14 kills, Mencia 9, Lavaja 7, Romero 6 and Shmelev 5. Stingers had 5 blocks and hit 51%. The Stingers finished the weekend event with a record of 3-0 while the Tyrants finished 1-2. 

Set #1 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants

Ramblers jumped into an early 6-1 lead with a service run that included OH kill, Tyrant service error, OH kill, OH block point and OH kill. Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out with a MB kill. Ramblers follow with a MB kill and Tyrants with OH kill to 7-3. On the next point the Tyrants donated a point to the Ramblers on a service error to 8-3. Referee called a media timeout. On the next twelve possessions the Ramblers increased their lead on a series of service runs that included two OH kills and MB kill to 12-5. Ramblers kept their 7-point lead to 15-8 on a Tyrant service error. Tyrants called a timeout. After the timeout ramblers added another point on a OH kill to 16-8. Tyrants called their second timeout. Tyrants cut the lead to six points on an OH kill and Ramblers’ service error to 16-10. At 20-14 Ramblers increased their lead again to eight points with an OH kill and OH block point to 22-14. Ramblers’ sided-out the rest of the set and ended it with a OH kill to 25-17.

Ramblers – 13 Kills, 3 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 92% Reception and 62% Hitting.

Tyrants- 8 Kills, 9 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 29% Hitting.

Set #2 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants

Tyrants started the set with the early lead at 2-1 but quickly relinquished it to the Ramblers. At 3-2 the Ramblers service run included an OPP kill, OH kill, OH kill and OPP kill that increased their lead to 6-2. Tyrants called a timeout. After Ramblers and Tyrants exchanged points to 8-4, the referee called a media timeout. Tyrants scored the first point after the timeout on a OPP kill to 8-5. Ramblers increased their lead to 5 points on a MB kill and OPP kill to 10-5. Tyrants reduced the lead to three points to 12-9 on two OH kills. Ramblers responded with a service run of an OPP kill and OH block point to 14-9. Ramblers gradually added to their lead with an OPP kill and OH kill to 17-11. Tyrants fought back to reduce the lead to five points with an OH kill to 18-13. After a Tyrants service error, the Tyrants’s coach called a time out at 19-13. On the following point Ramblers scored on a Tyrants’ OH error to 20-13. Ramblers kept their 7 point lead until set point at 24-17 and closed out the set with an ace and won 25-17.

Ramblers – 1 Ace, 13 Kills, 5 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 93% Reception and 46% Hitting.

Tyrants- 13 Kills, 1 Block Point, 3 Opponent Errors; 86% Reception and 37% Hitting.

Set #3 – Ramblers 25, Tyrants

Ramblers started the set with a OH kill and again took a comfortable early lead on mini service runs. It started at 2-1 from a Tyrants’ MB hitting error to 3-1, then a Rambler ace to 6-2, then a Rambler OPP kill to 8-3. Referee called a media timeout. After Tyrants bounce back from a Rambler service error and MB block point to 8-5, Ramblers received a yellow card from the referee. Ramblers increased their lead to five points after a service run that included OH kill and Tyrants’ hitting error to 14-9. Ramblers kept that lead until 16-11. Tyrants called a timeout and regrouped to cut the Ramblers to two points at 19-17 from an OPP kill, OH kill and an ace. Ramblers called a timeout. Tyrants followed up with service error to 20-17 but cut the lead to one point from a Ramblers’ service error and Tyrants’ OH block to 20-19. After a Ramblers’ OH kill at 24-22, Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out to 24-23 on a MB kill. Then Ramblers won the set and match on an OPP kill 25-23.

Ramblers – 1 Ace, 14 Kills, 1 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 95% Reception and 54% Hitting.

Tyrants- 1 Ace, 10 Kills, 3 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 95% Reception and 48% Hitting.

Set #1 – Tyrants 25, Blaze 14

Tyrants took the lead with a block point after their first serve. Both teams sided-out to 7-7 from OH kills and hitting errors. At 9-8 three consecutive Tyrant kills by the outside hitters gave the Tyrants a four point lead to 12-8. Blaze called a time out. Tyrants added to their lead with an MB kill to 14-9. After a side-out Tyrants added to their lead on a run from a Blaze service error, hitting error; and Tyrants’ OH kill to 17-10. Tyrants killed their run with a service error. Three Blaze hitting errors and a Tyrants’ OH kill increased the Tyrants’ lead to 22-13. Blaze called a timeout. Tyrants’ scored on a MB block point and OH Kill to 24-13. Blaze sided-out on a Tyrants’ hitting error 24-14. Tyrants win set on a MB block point.

Tyrants  – 1 Aces, 11 Kills, 4 Block Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 50% Hitting.

Blaze – 1 Aces, 3 Kills, 1 Blocking Point, 9 Opponent Errors; 94% Reception and 13% Hitting.

Set #2 – Tyrants 28, Blaze 26

Blaze took the early 2-0 lead with a OH kill and Tyrants’ hitting error. Blaze regain the lead from a Tyrants’ hitting error and Blaze OPP block point to 5-3. Teams continued to side out to 9-7. Tyrants’ hitting error increased Blaze’s lead to 10-7. Tyrants’ sided-out and followed with an ace to cut the lead to 10-9. Tyrants netted to give Blaze a 2-point lead at 12-10.

Then Blaze increased their lead after a Tyrants’ hitting error to 14-10. Tyrants rallied with a run of block points and OH kills to tie the score at 15-15. Blaze called a timeout. The Tyrants run stopped on a hitting error and then gave the lead back to Blaze with another hitting error to16-15. At 19-17 Tyrants disputed a call and received a red card from the referee. Blaze’s OPP kill and OH kill increased their lead to 22-18. Tyrants sided-out 22-19. Blaze reached 24 on a MB block point. Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided out on a Blaze service error and followed up with two aces to 24-22. Blaze called their second timeout. Tyrants fired another ace to 24-23. And then another Tyrants ace off the net that tied the score 24-24. Tyrants kept their rally going with an OH roll kill and took a 25-24 lead. A Tyrant service error tied the score 25-25. Blaze scored on an OPP kill to 26-25. Tyrants sided out on a kill down the line 26-26. Another Tyrants’ OH kill gave them a 27-26 lead. And then a Blaze hitting error gave Tyrants the win.

Tyrants  – 6 Aces, 13 Kills, 1 Block Point, 8 Opponent Errors; 95% Reception and 39% Hitting.

Blaze – 12 Kills, 3 Blocking Point, 11 Opponent Errors; 70% Reception and 40% Hitting.

Set #3 – Blaze 25, Tyrants 19

Both teams sided-out well to begin the set. Blaze took the lead on a Tyrants’ net 4-3. Tyrants rebounded with an OH kill to tie at 4-4. Back-to-back Blaze block points by the MB and OH gave them a 6-4 lead. A Blaze hitting error tied the score at 7-7 but Blaze kept their lead at 8-7 after an OH kill. Tyrants hitting error gave Blaze back their two pint lead to 10-8. Blaze added another point with an OH kill to 11-8, then added to their lead with a MB block point to 12-8. Tyrants’ sided out with an OH kill to stop the Blaze run at 12-9. After a Tyrants’ passing error scored another point for the Blaze, they called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out on a MB block point to 14-10. Tyrants score three consecutive points on Blaze hitting error, OH kill and block point to cut the lead to 14-13. Tyrants served an ace to tie the score at 15-15, then won a joust and took a 16-15 lead. Blaze tied the score at 16-16. After a few side-outs Blaze added to their lead with two OH kills to 21-18. A Blaze service error stopped their run at 21-19. Tyrants’ hitting error gave Blaze a 22-19 lead. Blaze scored the next three points on two OH block points and closed out the set with an ace for the win.

Blaze – 2 Aces, 10 Kills, 5 Blocking Point, 8 Opponent Errors; 81% Reception and 48% Hitting.

Tyrants  – 1 Aces, 12 Kills, 2 Block Point, 4 Opponent Errors; 90% Reception and 38% Hitting.

Set #4 – Tyrants 25, Blaze 17

Tyrants’ start match with an OH kill and a Blaze MB hitting error gave them a 2-0 lead. Blaze bounce back to tie the score 3-3. Tyrants took a 6-3 lead after a Blaze hitting error and OH kill. Blaze cut the lead to 7-6 after two Tyrants’ hitting errors. A Tyrants ace increased their lead to 9-6. Tyrants add another point to their lead after a MB block point to 11-7. Blaze counter with a MB block point to 11-9. Tyrants’ increase their lead again on an OH block point to 14-11. Two Tyrants’ aces at 16-13 stretched their lead to 18-13. Blaze called a timeout. Tyrants continued to add to their lead with a block point and OH kill and ace to 21-13. Blaze finally stopped the bleeding with a MB kill at 21-14 and add another point with another MB kill to 21-15. Tyrants’ sided-out and added another OH kill to 23-15. Blaze called their second timeout. Blaze sided out to 23-16, then earned another point on a OH kill to 23-17. Tyrants called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out with OH kill to 24-17. On set and match point the Blaze service error gave Tyrants the win.

Tyrants  – 4 Aces, 12 Kills, 3 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 86% Reception and 50% Hitting.

Blaze – 13 Kills, 1 Blocking Point, 4 Opponent Errors; 80% Reception and 45% Hitting.