In this interview, Nick MacRae, the new head coach of Long Beach State Menâs Volleyball, opens up about his transition from longtime assistant to taking over one of the most iconic programs in NCAA volleyball. After spending over a decade under legendary coach Alan Knipe, Nick shares what he learned, how he found out about the coaching change, and what it means to follow in the footsteps of a national championship coach.
We also dive into Long Beachâs 2024 national championship run, the culture behind their success, and the huge summer for Long Beach players like Moni Nikolov, Skyler Varga, and Kellen Larson, who all competed internationally. Nick breaks down how those experiences will shape the team heading into the next season and shares his goals for the future of The Beach.
If youâre a fan of Long Beach Volleyball, NCAA volleyball, or elite coaching culture, this is a conversation you wonât want to miss.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with 4-time Olympic volleyball player Luciano De Cecco, one of the greatest setters in the world, to break down his incredible volleyball journey from Argentina to the global stage.
De Cecco shares:
How he started playing volleyball
His rise through Argentinaâs national team
What itâs like competing in four Olympic Games
The mindset behind becoming one of the best setters in volleyball history
Lessons learned from international club volleyball and elite competition
Whether youâre a young setter, volleyball coach, fan of Olympic sports, or someone chasing greatness, this interview is packed with elite-level insight, motivation, and behind-the-scenes stories.đ Hosted on the Bump Set Chat Podcast, where athletes share their journeys, struggles, and success
.đ Drop your favorite De Cecco moment in the comments and donât forget to like & subscribe for more volleyball interviews!
In this exclusive interview, legendary volleyball coach Giovanni Guidetti opens up about his coaching journey â from dominating with VakifBank Istanbul, to developing world-class talent, to taking on a new challenge with Canadaâs womenâs volleyball team.We dive into:đ His coaching philosophyđ How he builds championship cultuređĽ Coaching some of the biggest names in volleyballđ Why he chose to lead Team CanadađĽ His advice for athletes and coachesDonât forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more volleyball stories and coaching interviews!
Long Beach Stateâs Nato Dickinson shares his journey to becoming a national champion, the culture that drives LBSU Volleyball, and why being adaptable is key to success.
#NatoDickinson #LBSUVolleyball #LongBeachState #CollegeVolleyball #NationalChampion
Discover the volleyball journey of Nataliia Klimenova â from learning the sport in Eastern Europe, to playing professional volleyball overseas, competing in U SPORTS at Mount Royal University in Canada, and now coaching the next generation through Natke Volleyball.
In this interview, Nataliia shares:
How she discovered volleyball and developed strong fundamentals
What life is really like playing professional volleyball in Europe
Her experience as a student-athlete in Canada
The vision and training philosophy behind Natke Volleyball coaching
If you're a volleyball player, parent, or coach looking for player development guidance, this conversation provides actionable insight into skill progression, mindset, and long-term growth in volleyball.
đ Learn or train with Natke Volleyball: https://www.natkevolleyball.com/about-us
đ Like, comment & subscribe for more volleyball stories, training tips, and player development content.
Hashtags:
#volleyball #volleyballtraining #volleyballcoach #provolleyball #usports #womenssports #volleyballdevelopment #natkevolleyball
In this exclusive interview, Bay to Bay Volleyball Club Director Matt Houlihan shares his incredible journey from playing for Bay to Bay as a kid to leading the program alongside his wife, Arielle Houlihan. Matt reflects on how his experiences as an athlete shaped his coaching philosophy, what makes Bay to Bay unique, and how the club continues to develop top volleyball talent on and off the court.
Whether youâre a player, coach, or parent, this episode offers insight into the culture, community, and leadership that define Bay to Bay Volleyball.
In this exclusive interview, Erin Virtue, Head Coach of Michigan Volleyball and Team USA Womenâs Volleyball assistant coach, shares her inspiring journey from college athlete to one of the most respected volleyball coaches in the nation.
Erin opens up about her early playing days, the mentors who shaped her career, and how she transitioned from being a standout college player to coaching at the Olympic level. She discusses her coaching philosophy, how she builds culture within her teams, and the lessons sheâs learned from working with elite athletes around the world.
Whether youâre a volleyball player, coach, or fan, this interview offers invaluable insights into leadership, teamwork, and personal growth â both on and off the court. Erinâs story is a masterclass in perseverance, preparation, and passion for the game.
#ErinVirtue #MichiganVolleyball #TeamUSA #OlympicVolleyball #VolleyballInterview #CollegeVolleyball #VolleyballCoach #WomenInSports #AthleteDevelopment #LeadershipInSports #NCAAVolleyball #VolleyballLife
In this exclusive Team USA volleyball interview, TJ DeFalco, a two-time Olympian and pro athlete, talks about his volleyball journey, career lessons, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.Learn how TJ went from Long Beach State standout to representing the U.S. on the Olympic stage, and what continues to motivate him as one of the sportâs top players.
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Vladimir Nikolov, one of Bulgariaâs greatest volleyball players and a true international legend. In this exclusive interview, Nikolov reflects on his incredible professional career, his time with the Bulgarian National Team, and what itâs like to raise two of the brightest stars in world volleyball â Alex and Moni Nikolov.đ Topics include:His early volleyball journey in BulgariaCareer highlights on the international stageTransition from player to mentor and fatherHow Alex and Moni developed into world-class athletesThis is the story of a volleyball dynasty in the making.
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Alan Knipe, head coach of Long Beach State Menâs Volleyball and former USA Volleyball head coach. In this interview, Knipe shares his coaching journey, the lessons learned along the way, and the philosophy that has helped him build championship teams at Long Beach.
đ We talk about:His playing and coaching career highlights
Building a winning culture at Long Beach State
Lessons from coaching Team USA
His philosophy on leadership and player development
Whether youâre a volleyball player, coach, or fan, this is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand what it takes to build excellence in the game.
đ Brittany Abercrombie shares her incredible volleyball journey â from playing at USC, competing with Athletes Unlimited, to becoming a pro with the Orlando Valkyries in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). Discover what it takes to compete at the highest level of womenâs pro volleyball and how her career has shaped her on and off the court.
đ Subscribe for more stories from the world of womenâs professional volleyball!
Join us for an exclusive interview with Eleu Choy, standout player for the University of HawaiĘťi Menâs Volleyball team. In this conversation, Eleu shares his journey growing up in HawaiĘťi, his path to joining UH, and what it means to represent the Rainbow Warriors on the court.
If youâre a fan of HawaiĘťi volleyball, the NCAA menâs volleyball scene, or simply love hearing athlete stories, this interview is for you.
đ Topics Covered:
Eleu Choyâs volleyball beginnings in HawaiĘťi
His experience playing for the University of HawaiĘťi Menâs Volleyball program
Life as a student-athlete at UH
Lessons and inspiration from his journey
Donât forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with top volleyball players and coaches!
#HawaiiVolleyball #UniversityOfHawaii #EleuChoy #MensVolleyball #UHVolleyball
From overcoming a devastating childhood injury to competing at the highest levels of volleyball, Cassidy Lichtmanâs story is one of resilience and passion. She played for Stanford, represented Team USA, competed professionally around the world, and is now shaping the future of the sport as the Director of Volleyball for Athletes Unlimited. In this interview, Cassidy shares her incredible journey, the challenges sheâs overcome, and how sheâs giving back to the game she loves.
From Hawaiian roots to the Olympic stage â Taylor Crabbâs volleyball journey is as exciting as it is inspiring. After dominating at Long Beach State, Taylor spent time playing pro indoor volleyball before finding his home on the beach, winning on the AVP Tour, and earning his spot at the Tokyo Olympics. But just days before competing, a positive COVID test forced him to stay on the sidelines.In this exclusive interview, Taylor shares the highs and lows of his career, how he overcame adversity, and whatâs next as he continues to chase greatness in pro beach volleyball.
Nyadholi Thokbuom discusses her volleyball journey: Mount Royal University âĄď¸ Pro Volleyball âĄď¸ Team Canada. Donât miss this inspiring conversation with one of Canadaâs rising stars.
What does it take to go from college volleyball to the professional stage? Stanford star Sami Francis gives us an inside look after her spring with LOVB Omaha and ahead of her next big adventure in Japan.
From Long Beach to the world stage, Dustin Wattenâs journey is one of grit, patience, and relentless hard work. Not the star player, but the one who refused to quitâDustin fought his way to represent Team USA in international volleyball. Now, through his project NOEZYBUCKETS, heâs sharing his lessons, helping the next generation of athletes find their own path.
đ In this interview, we dive into:
His beginnings in Long Beach volleyball
The mindset that carried him to Team USA
The challenges of chasing a dream without the spotlight
His mission to inspire through NOEZYBUCKETS
đĄ Whether youâre an athlete, coach, or just love stories of perseverance, this one will leave you fired up.
Kristen Kelsay talks about her volleyball career, her time as a player at Michigan State, and her return to East Lansing as head coach of Spartan Volleyball.
#KristenKelsay #MSUVolleyball #BigTenSports #VolleyballCoach #NCAAWomensVolleyball #SpartanVolleyball #CollegeSports
Morgan Hentz has seen it all - NCAA titles at Stanford, the challenges of pro volleyball abroad, and now, a historic moment as she helps grow the PVF here in the U.S. In this intimate interview, she talks about adapting to different cultures, staying mentally strong, and what it means to play in front of family and friends on US soil.
2-time Olympian and former Team Canada volleyball setter TJ Sanders joins us for a powerful and inspiring conversation about the full arc of his career. From discovering volleyball in his youth to representing Canada at the highest level, TJ shares key milestones, proudest moments, and personal battlesâincluding dealing with injuries that cut his playing career short. But this isnât just a story about the past. TJ opens up about his life after pro volleyball, his transition into coaching, and how heâs using his experience to mentor and inspire the next generation of players. If youâre an athlete, coach, or fan of the game, this interview is a must-watch.