CROSSNET Volleyball Podcast

The Olympics are in the air for sure. At the time of this recording we are just a little more than 2 weeks away from the start of the Tokyo Games. After the long break and delay from Covid, the Games are finally back and ready to roll.   It will definitely be a different kind of games. There still has not been a formal announcement on whether or not there will be fans at the Games. If there are, it will be on a very limited basis. They talked about 50% capacity but that is even a stretch now.   Today's episode is a special one. I am going to do a mini deep dive into the Men's and Women's Team USA rosters in both indoor and beach volleyball. We'll talk about their preliminary pools, their chances (in my book), and my predictions for all the teams. I will predict Gold, Silver, and Bronze for all the sports. I am actually really curious how close I get. I want to hear from you all too with your predictions. Email me - ryan@crossnetgame.com. If someone picks all the winners, I will come up with some sort of prize.   This was a fun one!    Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase. Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9

Way back on episode 32 we connected with Old Dominion University head coach - Fred Chao. Fred was embarking on a very unique experience, starting a NCAA Division 1 women's college volleyball program. Well we are back with Fred this week to talk about a lot of things that he and the team learned after their first season competing on the NCAA Division 1 stage including them getting a win in their first official match of their program. We also dig into what the season looked like coming out of Covid. The challenges of not having a ton of time to put their system in place, while doing their best to be competitive. It was also great hearing Fred's thoughts on the future of the program. Where he feels ODU can be and what it is going to take to get there.   Enjoy this fun follow up conversation with a great friend of the show.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow the Fred too! - @ciaofredchao

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Latvian Beach Volleyball star and soon to be Tokyo Olympian (her and her partner have already qualified for the Games 👏!) - Ana Kravčenoka Ana and I connect during her last day in the FIVB Cancun bubble. We talk about her time in the bubble playing against some of the best in the world, how nice it was in Mexico, and her favorite tacos! She also talks about some of the challenges of trying to play 3 back to back to back tournaments in the same location with all the same teams. We dig into growing up in Latvia and what it is like training there. We also discuss the growing Latvian volleyball community. Ana and her partner have already qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games so she shares her excitement and optimism about playing well there after a really strong showing in 2019, where her and her partner won the European Championship and then the Olympic Qualification tournament. Enjoy this fun interview!    Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Ana too! - @kravcenokaa

On today's show we go CROSSNET with a 2X Team USA Olympian and long time Pro Indoor player. One of the great US Setters - Donald Suxho. Donny and I talk about his current connection to the CROSSNET team and his incredible life journey. I knew a bit of Donald's origin story. About him growing up in communist Albania during the 80's. How to survive, what day to day life was like, and how sport pretty much shaped Donald's entire childhood. He talks about some amazingly inspirational journeys that he and his family took to eventually get them to the US and him all the way to Los Angeles and USC. He and I also talk about Donald's road to competing in 2 Olympic Games (Athens in 04 and London in 2012) for the US (a road he honestly didn't even think was possible). This is really an inspirational type of interview for one of the grittiest and hardest working teammates I ever got a chance to compete with. Enjoy his amazing story.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Donald too! - @dsuxho7

This week Ryan talks about his experience at one of the funnest volleyball events out there. The Fudpuckers Fort Walton Beach Florida Tournament.  Ryan shares all his insights from this great event. From playing doubles Open against AVP pro's, to 4's coed, to 4's Men's, and highlights a massive comeback win for he and his team.  Ryan also talks about some tips on attending the tournament, what to prepare, and how a poncho is key (a.k.a it rained A LOT!! 🌧 ☔️ ) We will be back with the best volleyball interviews in podcastverse next week! 💪  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase. Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP champion & MVP, FIVB Champion, 2021 Tokyo Olympic hopeful - Taylor Crabb.  Taylor and I talk about his unique childhood and the many sports he grew up playing but his overall love for the game of volleyball. We also discuss the incredible feat of someone, someday winning an Olympic Gold Medal in both indoors and on the beach in the same Olympics - a throw back to one of our first interviews with Karch who threw that gauntlet out there. Taylor shares his indoor to beach journey. What he is working on with his game right now. Playing with his brother Trevor early on, and how fired up he is about getting to Tokyo and competing with his long time partner Jake Gibb. We also take some time and dig in to the last FIVB tournament in Doha where he and Jake won the Bronze medal. So cool to have Taylor on the show.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Taylor too! - @tcrabbs

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP champion, 2016 Rio Olympian, and fellow CROSSNET athlete - Chaim Schalk Chaim and I talk about his unique childhood days. The unnecessary confusion around his citizenship. The connection he has to 90 Day Finance 😆. Chaim also shares his beach volleyball journey, what he looks for in the right partnership and why he feels like his new partnership with Theo Brunner is the perfect one for him. So cool to connect with such a great beach volleyball personality. Just a heads up, the audio in this episode was a little sketchy towards the middle. You can hear what is trying to be said and it only lasts for a few minutes. If it is too much to handle, just fast forward a few minutes. Settle in and enjoy this great conversation with a fellow CROSSNET athlete.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Chaim too! - @chaimer

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Kelley Kolinske. Kelley and I talk about her tips on moving to San Diego and the best Mexican food to try in the area. She shares her journey to beach volleyball after playing many years indoors at Pepperdine. She played both indoor and beach while in Malibu. She shares her perspective on a critical beach volleyball skill needed to be successful on the beach. It was also interesting to get her thoughts on what it is going to take for her and her partner Emily Stockman to qualify for Tokyo. There is a 3 tournament bubble event coming up soon in Cancun Mexico that they are really looking forward to competing in. She likes the level of volleyball they are playing right now and are excited about their chances. The problem is that Alex and April have pretty much already taken one of the spots up for grabs and they have some hefty competition looking to take that last spot. Enjoy this fun interview.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Kelley too! - @kelleykolinske

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Tri Bourne. Tri and I talk about his early roots in the game growing up in Hawaii. His early days playing indoors, even playing professionally in Europe and Puerto Rico. His move to the beach and his fairly meteoric rise when he hit the sand. We discuss how close he and his then partner John Hyden were to taking one of the Olympic spots for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Tri also talks about his journey and battle with an auto immune disease that took him off the sand for nearly two full years. We talk about what he did during that time to keep himself sharp. I really liked his answers to that question because he really took that time to self reflect and try some new things that helped him be better when he did eventually get back on the sand. I really enjoyed chatting with another CROSSNET Athlete in Tri Bourne, so buckle in for this great episode.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Tri too! - @tribourne

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Pro Beach Player - Melissa Fuchs Powell. Melissa and I talk about her growing in a very volleyball rich family. Her having dual citizenship, she has a US and Brazilian passport. We also talk about her interesting indoor playing days going from playing college ball in Michigan, then to Houston, and then to the University of Utah where she switched and played beach volleyball at the NCAA level. Melissa is currently living and playing professionally in the Brazilian pro beach league. She talks about the differences in training in the US versus Brazil. Really interesting to get an inside look at how the different countries train their beach players. Enjoy this fun interview with Melissa Fuchs Powell.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Melissa too if you want to laugh a lot! - @melissalessa

I wanted to take a quick break from our normal show to say thank you to all the listeners out there, the entire CROSSNET Team, and all our guests. Sometimes you need to simply pause, reflect, and give thanks. That is what I wanted to do to celebrate our 40th episode 💪 !! Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase. Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Emily Stockman. Emily and I talk about a lot of things like her love for all things extreme. Growing up in Colorado Springs, CO and her love for the mountains. In fact she said that during her time off, she would rather be in the mountains over the beach. We also talk about her love for the indoor game and how much she misses playing indoor, where she excelled at Wichita State and multiple years playing professionally overseas. We go over what it is going to take for her and her long time partner to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo and what that experience would mean to her. It was a blast connecting with one of the best on the beach right now - Emily Stockman.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Emily too! - @estock2

On today's show we go CROSSNET with 2019 AVP Manhattan Beach Open Champ and US Olympic hopeful - Trevor Crabb. Trevor and I talk about his late start in the game growing up playing and focusing mainly on basketball but then eventually finding the love and passion for beach volleyball. We also talk about him and his partner Tri Bourne's journey to the Tokyo Olympics and their fairly unique style of play as they split block most of the time. Pretty cool to get his take on why that style of play can potentially confuse some of their opponents. Great conversation with one of the best personalities in the game of beach volleyball.    Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Trevor too! - @kingcrabb808

On today's show we go CROSSNET with current U of Georgia Head Women's Volleyball Coach - Tom Black. Tom and I talk about his coaching journey and all the many places coaching has taken him. We also discuss his decision to take on dual roles while he was coaching at Loyola Marymount U to also become the Head Coach for the Canadian Women's National Team. Tom talks about how much he enjoyed working with Karch and the Women's US National Team, even helping them win a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. We also take some time talking about his current role at Georgia and how much he is enjoying working with the team and the administration.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Tom and the U of Georgia Team too! - @ugavolleyball

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Olympic Bronze Medalist, current US Men's National Team setter, and arguably the best setter in the world today - Micah Christenson. Micah and I talk about playing professionally in a foreign country and feeling a bit out of sorts living and trying to adapt in a different culture, different rules, things you don't know but quickly have to learn. We also talk about what Micah is currently working on technically to become an even better setter. He shares his thoughts on being a part of a long line of world class American setters and how he feels about being among that company. We of course dig into the upcoming Olympics and get his thoughts on how anxious the team is to get back on the court and do their best to bring another gold medal back to the USA 🇺🇸 🔥 !!   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Micah too! - @mchristenson5

On today's show we go CROSSNET with current associate Head Coach for the U of San Diego women's team, former US Men's National Team, and Pro Indoor Player - Alfee Reft.  Alfee and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball, going to UC Santa Barbara, and eventually landing at the University of Hawaii. We also discuss his gravitation into coaching, which came very early to him. His coaching career up to this point has taken from from the National Team, to the U of Minnesota, to the U of Illinois, and now to U of San Diego. Alfee shares his thoughts on what it is like adjusting to his new role during Covid and when their team is going to get to actually play some matches! Enjoy this fun interview with an old teammate. 💪    Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Alfee - @alfeereft Follow the U of San Diego Toreros too - @usdvolleyball

On today's show Ryan answers some of our burning listener questions.  Enjoy these great insights around the game of volleyball 🏐.  Hit subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show like this week!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow CROSSNET as well - @crossnetgame

On today's show we go CROSSNET with former U of Hawaii All-American, current US Men's National Team, and Pro Indoor Player - Joe Worsley.  Joe and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball, moving all over the country, and eventually landing at the University of Hawaii. We also talk about his ability to succeed as an "undersized" player. His thoughts and advice to other "undersized" players. Joe also talks about his current life living and playing professionally in Germany. What it's like playing professionally during Covid and how he acknowledges his propensity to be messy around his apartment. This was Joe and I's first conversation so it was really cool to hear his passion for the game and his curiosity to learn from more "seasoned" players like myself. Lot's of " " in this description 😂. Enjoy this fun interview.    Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Joe too - @joemworsley

On today's show we go CROSSNET with long time coach and current Head Women's Coach at Old Dominion University - Fred Chao.  Fred and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball and how that took him from a path of becoming a medical doctor to coaching. We also talk about him taking over the program at Old Dominion University in it's first year of Division 1 play. That's right this will be year 1 of their program and that is very unique. I wanted to get Fred's take on what it took to start a program from the ground up. What I found what really fascinating. From managing the administration, to recruiting the first team, to even working with the architects on building their new playing facility, and doing all of this during a global pandemic.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow Fred too - @ciaofredchao

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Gold Medal winning, Bronze Medal winning, multi NCAA National Championship winning, and current US Men's National Team Head Coach - John Speraw.  John and I talk about his volleyball journey, where he started, how that lead to coaching vs finishing med school. He also talks about the influence a few legendary coaches had on him, people like Al Scates, Carl McGown, and Hugh McCutheon. We also discuss the current Men's Olympic Team, what needs to be done for them to reach the top of the podium and what he thinks the Olympics will even look like in 2021. It is always a joy to connect with a great volleyball mind like John. Buckle in and enjoy this great conversation.   Make sure to subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments.  Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase and be on the look out for this week's CROSSNET giveaway!  Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: ryan@crossnetgame.com Who knows, we might get your questions answered on the show!  Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9 Follow John too! - @coachsperaw