Men's Volleyball Summer Journals

Follow men's volleyball as they play around the world this summer

Preparing for Marriage, Training with Collegiate National Training Team, and Finally Arriving at UC Irvine
By Nolan Flexen

After finishing my first year playing collegiate volleyball this past season, my life has changed and is going in a different direction. The three most significant changes in my life occurred during the last week at school. It all had happened so fast, but I couldn't be more excited for the opportunities I've been given to steward and pursue with excellence.

In July, I was allowed to train with the Collegiate National Team at their training center in Anaheim, California. This was an incredible experience, and the week we spent training was the most beneficial week in my collegiate career. We spent a week in Anaheim training two times a day for four days, with Friday being our competition day, where we competed against a few Senior National Team guys. We heard from different pro players about life playing volleyball overseas, and I was able to ask as many questions as possible to understand what was to come. My primary goal throughout this training opportunity was to not take it for granted. Over the years, I have learned to hold volleyball with an open hand, understanding that it is a gift from above and could be taken away at any moment. So I made sure to make the most of this opportunity.

I also used this training block to prepare for my first season at UC Irvine. My career as a volleyball player has been unique. Coach Kniff recruited me in high school and then again in 2021. Both times didn’t work out, and after the second time, I quit volleyball altogether. My faith and mental health were declining, and I knew I needed to remove myself from volleyball to turn my life around. A little over a year after walking away from volleyball, I was recruited to attend a small Christian school called The Master’s University. I was worried that volleyball would take me back to the same place as before, but I felt a calling to return to school. After a successful season, I gained a new love for volleyball and a desire to play more. I committed to UC Irvine and knew that this was the time I would finally make it.

Within all these major moves for volleyball, I was also preparing for the most significant decision of my life: asking my girlfriend to marry me. The same week I talked to Kniff, I had bought a ring and was trying to plan when to propose. While this summer has given me a fantastic time with volleyball and many avenues to grow, I have developed the most in my relationship with my fiancé. Going into this new stage of life and getting married on top of it has been the best opportunity of my life. I am so thankful for all I have been given to steward, and I plan on stewarding it well.

Looking back on these last few months, I am grateful for where I came from. It has prepared me for the road ahead and made me into the man I am today. I couldn't be more blessed and excited for my new walk of life with my soon-to-be wife at UC Irvine.

Nolan
 

From the Beach by Akhil Tangutur

In June, I competed with UCLA’s Alex Knight in the U23 Beach National Team Trials, the official qualifying event for the 2023 NORCECA U23 Beach Championships.

Alex and I have competed together since we were 15 years old, whether it has been on the beach, club teams, or even on national teams for Team USA. Going into the tournament, Alex and I had a lot less preparation compared to the other teams in the tournament as they were primarily beach players and have all competed for Team USA before. We ended up taking second place in the tournament and upset a couple of the top ranked teams going into playoffs.

I know that UCI Men's Volleyball has allowed me to succeed in an environment like this because ultimately regardless of preparation and scouting, knowing how to problem solve and just get better as the tournament goes along, and staying patient knowing that we will be playing our best volleyball by the last day was huge. I feel like this lines up so well with what we try to do indoors with playing our best ball around May and tournament time. 

I believe that this experience will benefit UCI because the past two years of doing USAV Beach events, I am learning so much from the best players and coaches in the world, I can slowly bring those ideologies and tips to my teammates and even use them for myself to help my indoor game as there are so many overlaps between both beautiful games. 

Ultimately, being able to compete at the highest level is something that I am always thankful for. Thankful to God, my parents, David Kniffin, UCI Athletics and my teammates that are always pouring into me and I feel like it is my duty to always go out in whatever I do and put my 100% effort out there regardless of outcome. 

Sincerely,

Akhil 

Experiences With the Australian National Team by William D'Arcy

Coming back from UC Irvine to Australia for the summer I had the opportunity to continue training and competing with the Australian National Volleyball Team, the Volleyroos. An exciting opportunity for me, being my second year on the team, but a momentous task for the team trying to gain world ranking points to put Australian Volleyball back on the world stage. 

Training was held at the Australian Olympic Training Center/Institute of Sport in the sunny capital of Canberra. A month-long training block, consisting of team lifts, and typically two training sessions a day, Monday through Saturday then we could knock off on Sunday. Long hours and a lot of time spent with the fellas doing the mundane repetitive skills that would prepare us for the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup in Taiwan after the camp. A must win tournament for the 'Roos if we ever wanted to squeeze our way back into the VNL or the World League. 

Having completed a year at UCI prior to attending the national team camp, it prepared me for the continued routine of a high-performance environment, as well as improving my skills that I was able to surrender to the team for this campaign. Many comments were made about the improvements they have seen from my playing style since being in a DI system in the United States, a true credit to the quality of the program at Irvine. 

Heading into the tournament in Taiwan, a lot of time was spent defining and shaping our culture as a team. How we wanted to play as a team, what it meant to represent Australia, as well as each other. Our core values of Mateship, Courage and Resilience are something I will take with me back to UCI for our upcoming season. Ruthless competitive intent alongside being a good bloke on and off the court is something I strive to bring to the team for the following season, alongside the further refined skills since playing at the International level. 

Although we didn't end up achieving our goal in Taiwan, we began making crucial steps as a collective TEAM towards our home Olympic goals in 2032. Something again UCI has taught me the value of. The opportunity to grow as a player at UCI in the 2023 season directly correlated to the National team this season, while the experiences that I have gained from playing and learning with the 'Roos this season will correlate back again to UCI for the 2024 season ahead. 

That's the beauty of the sport, and the opportunity representing my country provides. Something so few get to do, but something I am so very proud of.

I look forward to getting back to Cali in September and get cracking on winning the whole thing in 2024. 

Zot! Zot! 

Will