The USA Volleyball Show

In episode 90, we are celebrating three years of The USA Volleyball Show! Stephen is BACK and reunited with Clarence after being out on parental leave. They catch up and welcome on the Jungle Cat, U.S. Men's National Team middle blocker, Jeff Jendryk (16:25 - 1:16:39). Jeff shares his journey in volleyball from starting out to the National Team. He also chats about giving back to the next generation of volleyball players throu...

In this episode, Clarence welcomes back guest host Curtis Ward while Stephen is out on family leave. They sit down with Paralympian and U.S. Men's Sitting Team member James Stuck (7:44 - 1:07:25). Stuck and the team are in China this week at the final qualification tournament for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. James talks about serving in the Army, how he was introduce to sitting volleyball and his Paralympic experience in R...

In this episode, Clarence welcomes back guest host Sevrin Lavenstein while Stephen is out on Family Leave. They sit down with beach volleyball world champion and U.S. Beach National Team athlete, Sara Hughes (9:50 - 47:18). Sara talks about her beach volleyball journey including her early partnership with Justine Wong-Orantes, her reunion with Kelly Cheng and her hopes for the Olympic season. Sara shares what it would mean to her t...

In this episode, Clarence welcomes back USA Volleyball Communications Manager B.J. Hoeptner Evans as guest host. They sit down with Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Women's National Team libero Justine Wong-Orantes (7:11 - 40:57). Justine shares how she was introduced to the game and about how her experience with disappointment drove her to be a better player. Other topics including playing Germany, and how excited she is to pla...

In this SPECIAL episode, Clarence and Stephen are BACK together LIVE(ish) from the 2024 Women's National Team Open Program from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. They welcome back our first three-peat podcast guest, three-time Olympian, Tokyo gold medalist and U.S. Women's National Team outside hitter Jordan Larson (6:43 - 16:13). Jordan talks about preparing for the 2024 season, visitin...

In this episode, we have guest host Sevrin Lavenstein joining Clarence and they sit down with the current top U.S. Beach National Team men's pair, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain (11:27 - 1:04:32). We get an in-depth look at this awesome beach team. We learn about how Andy and Miles became a team, how they were introduced to the National Team and what they do and are eating on a cheat day. They chat about the 2023 season, their ...

In this episode, we put the lid on the 2023 AVCA in Tampa with two-time Olympic medalist and former U.S. Women's National Team setter Courtney Thompson. (6:39 - 38:36). Courtney talks about her role at AVCA and shares some of her interests off-court. She looks back on her Olympic experience and talks about her involvement with League One Volleyball, or LOVB (pronounced "love"), emphasizing the importance of U.S. athl...

In this episode, we continue our conversations from 2023 AVCA in Tampa with a chat with Hazel Goldstein, Excelsior Empire Region Commissioner and former director of Whoosh Volleyball Club. (7:57 - 42:55). Hazel shares about her vast background in volleyball and in the region, as well as her current role as commissioner. She talks about the recent change to the region name, some of the region's successes, and her retirement pla...

In this episode, we share our conversation from our USA Volleyball booth at the 2023 AVCA Convention in Tampa. Clarence and Stephen welcome Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Women's National Team setter, Jordyn Poulter. (8:18 - 57:44). Jordyn shares some of her personal interests including music; talks about recovery from her knee injury; looks ahead to the Paris Games; discusses being a part of League One Volleyball and so much ...

In this episode, we're coming to you LIVE(ish) from Tampa at the 2023 AVCA Convention Podcast Theater. Clarence and Stephen welcome Nickie Sanlin, who is the head men's coach, former women's head coach and assistant athletic director and director of volleyball at McKendree University. (1:19 - 59:16). Nickie talks about her background in volleyball from playing to coaching. Then, she shares the difficulties she had br...

In this episode, we have a volleyball pioneer on the show! Clarence and Stephen welcome 1968 Olympian, former U.S. Women's National Team athlete, and author Laurie Lewis Havel (13:20 - 1:15:58). We learn about Laurie's background including what it was like growing up in California and the early days of the beach volleyball boom. She also talks about her new book, "My Unusual Life," which is available at Barnes a...

In this episode, after Clarence and Stephen share their picks for the NCAA Division I Volleyball Championship, they welcome U.S. Women's National Team assistant coach and UCLA women's head coach Alfee Reft (16:37 - 1:16:53). Alfee takes us through his volleyball journey from his time playing on the U.S. Men's National Team to how he got into coaching. He also talks about his first season as head coach at UCLA, excite...

Worth every minute! In our longest episode yet, Clarence and Stephen welcome on U.S. Men's National Team middle blocker Taylor Averill (11:07 - 1:52:22). Taylor shares his often-difficult volleyball journey and how he's matured as a person. While talking about his own podcast, "The Tallest Podcast on Earth," he discusses the importance of mental health and honest conversations. He also reflects on his summer wit...

In this episode, Clarence and Stephen are back in studio together. After catching up with each other they sit down with U.S. Women's National Team and University of Texas middle blocker, Asjia O'Neal (12:29 - 1:03:42). We learn about Asjia's background, her journey through two heart surgeries, winning the NCAA National Championship last year with Texas, her summer with the U.S. Women's National Team, and so much...

In this episode, Stephen flying solo as Clarence is busy in meetings prepping for the upcoming volleyball season. Stephen sits down with USA Volleyball's Sitting Volleyball Director and the U.S. Women's Sitting National Team head coach, Bill Hamiter (5:40 - 1:21:48). Bill talks about his vast background in volleyball, sitting volleyball, coaching and the impact he's made in volleyball in Oklahoma, Bill talks about th...

In this episode, Stephen makes his return from parental leave. He and Clarence catch up with each other, and Stephen shares stories about being a new dad, including already watching the Men's National Team with his son. Then, they sit down with volleyball coach, strength trainer, jump trainer, YouTuber, motivational speaker and Elevate Yourself founder, Donny Hui aka Coach Donny (12:58 - 1:23:55). Coach Donny talks about his b...

In this episode, Clarence welcomes guest host and USA Volleyball's Digital Media and Content Coordinator, Sevrin Lavenstein to the show. Then, they sit down with U.S. Beach National Team pair TKN, Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss (8:54 - 59:32). They share their experiences on the FIVB Beach Pro Tour and the AVP Tour, and talk about everything that went into transitioning from indoor to beach. They also go into their friendship an...

In this episode, Clarence welcomes guest host and USA Volleyball's Communications Manager B.J. Hoeptner Evans to the show. Then, they sit down with four-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist Reid Priddy (8:21 - 1:16:55). Reid shares stories from his Olympic experiences as well as chats about his time on the indoor and beach national teams, and he talks about his newest venture, In Sand. If you're a longtime volleyba...