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Post by coachk2 on Jan 2, 2024 8:58:45 GMT -5
Hi, I'm not real familiar with NAIA. I mostly follow women's but try to hit up men's events when I can, such as when traveling (Lewis, Loyola a few times). How does average NAIA level generally compare to decent Lewis/Loyola teams? My travels may take me to St. Louis which has a crazy number of NCAA teams, but that'd be out of my way, so I may see about seeing some NAIA teams instead (e.g., Heart of America conference). I did an adult volleyball camp a long long time ago in Lamoni (Graceland), which triggered some ideas. Thanks for any input. If you are in the St Louis area, Coach K 🏐🎤 recommends going to see a match at Missouri Baptist when either Park (on Tuesday Feb 20) or Grand View (on Sat afternoon March 30) or another HAAC contender plays there. HAAC matches at Mo Bap are usually Tuesday, Fri or Sat. Of course, Lindenwood (close by) and McKendree (hour drive east) are both MIVA teams (for now). Maryville (Independent) does play Ohio St and Ft Wayne. Lots of college MVB to see. 👀 Thinking back to my many business trips to Los Angeles years ago, CK always seem to need to be there during MVB season when UCLA, USC, Long Beach, UC Irvine or Pepperdine had a big home match. 😳 Just a lucky coincidence! 😂 |
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Post by ndodge on Jan 2, 2024 9:37:10 GMT -5
Hi, I'm not real familiar with NAIA. I mostly follow women's but try to hit up men's events when I can, such as when traveling (Lewis, Loyola a few times). How does average NAIA level generally compare to decent Lewis/Loyola teams? My travels may take me to St. Louis which has a crazy number of NCAA teams, but that'd be out of my way, so I may see about seeing some NAIA teams instead (e.g., Heart of America conference). I did an adult volleyball camp a long long time ago in Lamoni (Graceland), which triggered some ideas. Thanks for any input. If you are in the St Louis area, Coach K 🏐🎤 recommends going to see a match at Missouri Baptist when either Park (on Tuesday Feb 20) or Grand View (on Sat afternoon March 30) or another HAAC contender plays there. HAAC matches at Mo Bap are usually Tuesday, Fri or Sat. Of course, Lindenwood (close by) and McKendree (hour drive east) are both MIVA teams (for now). Maryville (Independent) does play Ohio St and Ft Wayne. Lots of college MVB to see. 👀 Thinking back to my many business trips to Los Angeles years ago, CK always seem to need to be there during MVB season when UCLA, USC, Long Beach, UC Irvine or Pepperdine had a big home match. 😳 Just a lucky coincidence! 😂 Thanks for the tips. My business trips to Dallas just happened to ‘coincide’ with VNL one time and a MN/WI/TCU/Baylor event another time so I know what you mean (my immediate boss understood and made it work). For men NAIA when are the schedules posted ? All I see are 2023 schedules |
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Post by coachk2 on Jan 2, 2024 9:42:31 GMT -5
If you are in the St Louis area, Coach K 🏐🎤 recommends going to see a match at Missouri Baptist when either Park (on Tuesday Feb 20) or Grand View (on Sat afternoon March 30) or another HAAC contender plays there. HAAC matches at Mo Bap are usually Tuesday, Fri or Sat. Of course, Lindenwood (close by) and McKendree (hour drive east) are both MIVA teams (for now). Maryville (Independent) does play Ohio St and Ft Wayne. Lots of college MVB to see. 👀 Thinking back to my many business trips to Los Angeles years ago, CK always seem to need to be there during MVB season when UCLA, USC, Long Beach, UC Irvine or Pepperdine had a big home match. 😳 Just a lucky coincidence! 😂 Thanks for the tips. My business trips to Dallas just happened to ‘coincide’ with VNL one time and a MN/WI/TCU/Baylor event another time so I know what you mean (my immediate boss understood and made it work). For men NAIA when are the schedules posted ? All I see are 2023 schedules Missouri Baptist Spartan 2024 MVB schedule is on their web site. Not sure about others. Would post a link but CK is a low tech man in a high tech world. 🫣 |
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Post by photogirl on Jan 2, 2024 12:24:40 GMT -5
Skill wise yes, but it seems overall they are usually physically smaller all around than your top 15 teams. Just an example. Last year Master's went 3-0 in a tournament at usc. They had a 6'10 and 6'4" outsides, 6'10" and 6'6 middles, 6'7" oppo. Thet matched well against the D1 programs. Overall, the NAIA teams are smaller, but some of the top teams matched up physically also The top 4-5 NAIA teams can beat any of the NCAA D1 teams outside of the top 10 on any given day. Last year the top three teams in the NAIA had some good wins. Vanguard beat CSUN, took UCSB to 4 and had their chances. BenU Mesa beat UC Irvine and Concordia Irvine. The Master's beat Concordia Irvine (sorry Master's fans, I am not counting your win against Hawaii's backup during the preseason even though you do). Grand View regularly beats teams from the MIVA. There are some big players in the NAIA on the top teams. Vanguard had a 6'9" setter, 6'6" OH, 6'8" OPP and MH. Masters had a 6'10" OH and MH. Multiple teams have 6'7"-6'9" opposites. |
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Post by gofaster88 on Jan 2, 2024 17:27:10 GMT -5
Skill wise yes, but it seems overall they are usually physically smaller all around than your top 15 teams. Just an example. Last year Master's went 3-0 in a tournament at usc. They had a 6'10 and 6'4" outsides, 6'10" and 6'6 middles, 6'7" oppo. Thet matched well against the D1 programs. Overall, the NAIA teams are smaller, but some of the top teams matched up physically also That 6'10" OH took a path from D1 to NAIA back to D1. So, he's probably more of an anomaly than than norm. |
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Post by gofaster88 on Jan 2, 2024 17:40:23 GMT -5
Just an example. Last year Master's went 3-0 in a tournament at usc. They had a 6'10 and 6'4" outsides, 6'10" and 6'6 middles, 6'7" oppo. Thet matched well against the D1 programs. Overall, the NAIA teams are smaller, but some of the top teams matched up physically also The top 4-5 NAIA teams can beat any of the NCAA D1 teams outside of the top 10 on any given day. Last year the top three teams in the NAIA had some good wins. Vanguard beat CSUN, took UCSB to 4 and had their chances. BenU Mesa beat UC Irvine and Concordia Irvine. The Master's beat Concordia Irvine (sorry Master's fans, I am not counting your win against Hawaii's backup during the preseason even though you do). Grand View regularly beats teams from the MIVA. There are some big players in the NAIA on the top teams. Vanguard had a 6'9" setter, 6'6" OH, 6'8" OPP and MH. Masters had a 6'10" OH and MH. Multiple teams have 6'7"-6'9" opposites. BenU against Irvine went 5 sets without Sani, Henno, Gillis, and Power while using 3 different setters. They didn't want to risk it knowing they had to play back to back against GCU. Not sure why they even scheduled 3 games in 3 days. |
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Post by wilbur on Jan 2, 2024 18:01:22 GMT -5
Just an example. Last year Master's went 3-0 in a tournament at usc. They had a 6'10 and 6'4" outsides, 6'10" and 6'6 middles, 6'7" oppo. Thet matched well against the D1 programs. Overall, the NAIA teams are smaller, but some of the top teams matched up physically also The top 4-5 NAIA teams can beat any of the NCAA D1 teams outside of the top 10 on any given day... Only on a day that that DI team doesn't have their starters at full power and also isn't playing well. I do not think the best NAIA teams are better than any of the top 20 DI/II teams in the NCAA. Mildly competitive with teams #10+ and maybe the top NAIA team is better than one of the #20-25 DI teams. |
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Post by franknvb on Jan 3, 2024 10:03:28 GMT -5
The top 4-5 NAIA teams can beat any of the NCAA D1 teams outside of the top 10 on any given day... Only on a day that that DI team doesn't have their starters at full power and also isn't playing well. I do not think the best NAIA teams are better than any of the top 20 DI/II teams in the NCAA. Mildly competitive with teams #10+ and maybe the top NAIA team is better than one of the #20-25 DI teams. I don't think so. An example. Master's setter started for UC Santa Barbara, their OH/Libero was 2nd team All American as a fr at Pepperdine, 1 middle hitter started for Concordia Irvine, their oppo signed with Grand Canyon, their backup setter started for another D1 program. And they are not the top NAIA team. |
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Post by nslot on Jan 3, 2024 11:09:15 GMT -5
Only on a day that that DI team doesn't have their starters at full power and also isn't playing well. I do not think the best NAIA teams are better than any of the top 20 DI/II teams in the NCAA. Mildly competitive with teams #10+ and maybe the top NAIA team is better than one of the #20-25 DI teams. I don't think so. An example. Master's setter started for UC Santa Barbara, their OH/Libero was 2nd team All American as a fr at Pepperdine, 1 middle hitter started for Concordia Irvine, their oppo signed with Grand Canyon, their backup setter started for another D1 program. And they are not the top NAIA team. So there a couple things i think we need to remember when comparing, they rules make the games different, one in one out vs Unlimited subs, libero's serving etc. So what rules are we playing by secondly there is more then a handful of NAIA athletes who would not be eligible in the NCAA due to past professional play, age, etc. In a brief and quick search last year the top 15 in the NAIA went 4-5 in actual matches beating CU Irvine twice, CSUN and Quincy. They lost matches to Stanford, USC, CUI, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbra. |
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Post by franknvb on Jan 3, 2024 12:04:28 GMT -5
I don't think so. An example. Master's setter started for UC Santa Barbara, their OH/Libero was 2nd team All American as a fr at Pepperdine, 1 middle hitter started for Concordia Irvine, their oppo signed with Grand Canyon, their backup setter started for another D1 program. And they are not the top NAIA team. So there a couple things i think we need to remember when comparing, they rules make the games different, one in one out vs Unlimited subs, libero's serving etc. So what rules are we playing by secondly there is more then a handful of NAIA athletes who would not be eligible in the NCAA due to past professional play, age, etc. In a brief and quick search last year the top 15 in the NAIA went 4-5 in actual matches beating CU Irvine twice, CSUN and Quincy. They lost matches to Stanford, USC, CUI, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbra. When NAIA teams play D1 teams, they play by the D1 rules. That is a small disadvantage for the NAIA teams, but again the top NAIA teams can hold their own against some pretty good D1 teams |
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Post by photogirl on Jan 9, 2024 18:11:33 GMT -5
The season gets under way to some degree this week before starting in earnest in a couple of weeks. Most every team has their schedule up on their website with some conflicting info (such as a team showing a scheduled match against a team that shows they are playing someone else on the same day) so I would expect some slight changes.
Very few matches between D1 schools and NAIA schools this year. Masters does play Pepperdine, Concordia Irvine and CSUN, but CSUNs other matches are against Hope and UC Merced. I guess they didn't like getting beat last year by Vanguard. UC San Diego only scheduled St Katherine and St Xavier plays Concordia Irvine on their spring break trip which includes stops at Vanguard and Masters.
Numerous teams still don't have a 2024 roster up and I am very excited to see that. Some of the top teams that are still missing updated rosters are Vanguard, OUAZ, Arizona Christian, William Penn, Park, Missouri Valley, Warner and Webber. I am very interested to see who is staying for the last of the "covid years" and who might have transferred (Zeo Meyer looks like he is at OUAZ now). Also, who might be returning some players that were missing from their rosters last year (St Zavier and Grand View have 2022 starters back). Also a few big time transfers that are no longer in the NAIA (Tyler Watts went to BYU and Nolan Flexon is at UCI).
Some early matches that I am excited about.
1/13- Springfield (D3 #3) vs Vanguard in an exhibition. Without a roster online, this will let us know what Vanguard looks like this year.
1/19- Vanguard @ Masters (rematch of last years semi)
1/25- Master vs St Xavier, Indiana Tech vs Georgetown, Lourdes vs Grandview, OUAZ vs William Penn
1/26- OUAZ vs St Xavier, Masters vs Grand View, Webber vs Georgetown, Indiana Tech vs Webber
1/27- William Penn vs St Xavier, Masters vs Lourdes
2/1 Park vs BenU Mesa (rematch of last years semi)
2/2- Masters vs Park
2/3- Masters vs BenU Mesa, St Xavier vs Missouri Baptist, Park vs Arizona Christian
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Post by 513vb on Jan 10, 2024 13:58:23 GMT -5
The season gets under way to some degree this week before starting in earnest in a couple of weeks. Most every team has their schedule up on their website with some conflicting info (such as a team showing a scheduled match against a team that shows they are playing someone else on the same day) so I would expect some slight changes. Very few matches between D1 schools and NAIA schools this year. Masters does play Pepperdine, Concordia Irvine and CSUN, but CSUNs other matches are against Hope and UC Merced. I guess they didn't like getting beat last year by Vanguard. UC San Diego only scheduled St Katherine and St Xavier plays Concordia Irvine on their spring break trip which includes stops at Vanguard and Masters. Numerous teams still don't have a 2024 roster up and I am very excited to see that. Some of the top teams that are still missing updated rosters are Vanguard, OUAZ, Arizona Christian, William Penn, Park, Missouri Valley, Warner and Webber. I am very interested to see who is staying for the last of the "covid years" and who might have transferred (Zeo Meyer looks like he is at OUAZ now). Also, who might be returning some players that were missing from their rosters last year (St Zavier and Grand View have 2022 starters back). Also a few big time transfers that are no longer in the NAIA (Tyler Watts went to BYU and Nolan Flexon is at UCI). Some early matches that I am excited about. 1/13- Springfield (D3 #3) vs Vanguard in an exhibition. Without a roster online, this will let us know what Vanguard looks like this year. 1/19- Vanguard @ Masters (rematch of last years semi) 1/25- Master vs St Xavier, Indiana Tech vs Georgetown, Lourdes vs Grandview, OUAZ vs William Penn 1/26- OUAZ vs St Xavier, Masters vs Grand View, Webber vs Georgetown, Indiana Tech vs Webber 1/27- William Penn vs St Xavier, Masters vs Lourdes 2/1 Park vs BenU Mesa (rematch of last years semi) 2/2- Masters vs Park 2/3- Masters vs BenU Mesa, St Xavier vs Missouri Baptist, Park vs Arizona Christian I heard Webber had somewhat of an exodus after Peluso announced his departure. Not sure how many guys left but it sounded significant. |
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Post by ManapuaSurprise on Jan 10, 2024 18:42:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips. My business trips to Dallas just happened to ‘coincide’ with VNL one time and a MN/WI/TCU/Baylor event another time so I know what you mean (my immediate boss understood and made it work). For men NAIA when are the schedules posted ? All I see are 2023 schedules Missouri Baptist Spartan 2024 MVB schedule is on their web site. Not sure about others. Would post a link but CK is a low tech man in a high tech world. 🫣 Aleksa Mandic transferred from Hawaii to Missouri Baptist before the season started. Please keep us updated how he's playing |
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Post by photogirl on Jan 11, 2024 19:37:33 GMT -5
Jared Goldberg (The Master's) and Luke Bentley (William Penn) have posted a 2024 NAIA Season Preview. Very good listen.
After listening to the preview show, plus what I know of returners/transfers and how teams performed last year, this is my initial Top 15. Not sure how accurate it will be to the preseason rankings due to how conference rankings go (coaches tend to rank by just how teams finished last year) but this is how I think it might shake out as the year goes on. The weekend of 1/25-1/27 will tells us a lot. The following week of 2/1-2/3 will help solidify who the top teams are.
1. BenU Mesa
2. Grand View
3. St. Xavier (based off of some of the transfers they mentioned)
4. Vanguard
5. OUAZ
6. Missouri Valley
7. The Master's
8. Georgetown (this preview show mentioned many top players graduating but their roster only has them losing opp-Liam Morrisey from last years starters)
9. William Penn
10. Menlo
11. Park
12. Indiana Tech
13. Missouri Baptist
14. Westcliff
15. Jamestown
Way, way too early Nationals qualifying teams (*At large teams)
Cal-Pac (1)- BenU Mesa
Heart (3-4)- Grand View, *Mount Mercy, *Missouri Valley,
GSAC (2-3)- Vanguard, *OUAZ, *The Master's
CACC (1)- St Xavier
AAC (1)- Warner
GPAC (1)- Jamestown
Mid South (1)- Georgetown
WHAC (1)- Indiana Tech
In past years, Grand View having an auto bid was not a big deal. Even last year, they would have been a bubble team. This year with Mount Mercy getting the auto bid, I fell that t really does take away one deserving at large bid.
Bubble teams-
William Penn, Park, Menlo, Missouri Baptist
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Post by naiamvbfan on Jan 11, 2024 23:53:30 GMT -5
Jared Goldberg (The Master's) and Luke Bentley (William Penn) have posted a 2024 NAIA Season Preview. Very good listen. After listening to the preview show, plus what I know of returners/transfers and how teams performed last year, this is my initial Top 15. Not sure how accurate it will be to the preseason rankings due to how conference rankings go (coaches tend to rank by just how teams finished last year) but this is how I think it might shake out as the year goes on. The weekend of 1/25-1/27 will tells us a lot. The following week of 2/1-2/3 will help solidify who the top teams are. 1. BenU Mesa 2. Grand View 3. St. Xavier (based off of some of the transfers they mentioned) 4. Vanguard 5. OUAZ 6. Missouri Valley 7. The Master's 8. Georgetown (this preview show mentioned many top players graduating but their roster only has them losing opp-Liam Morrisey from last years starters) 9. William Penn 10. Menlo 11. Park 12. Indiana Tech 13. Missouri Baptist 14. Westcliff 15. Jamestown Way, way too early Nationals qualifying teams (*At large teams) Cal-Pac (1)- BenU Mesa Heart (3-4)- Grand View, *Mount Mercy, *Missouri Valley, GSAC (2-3)- Vanguard, *OUAZ, *The Master's CACC (1)- St Xavier AAC (1)- Warner GPAC (1)- Jamestown Mid South (1)- Georgetown WHAC (1)- Indiana Tech In past years, Grand View having an auto bid was not a big deal. Even last year, they would have been a bubble team. This year with Mount Mercy getting the auto bid, I fell that t really does take away one deserving at large bid. Bubble teams- William Penn, Park, Menlo, Missouri Baptist Just watched and lots of good info and I feel like I could go on about it for awhile with comments. I will stick to mainly talking about the HOA since I am midwestern and follow that the most. I think Mount Mercy will for sure get auto bid given very friendly schedule. Interesting to hear Luke Bentley say he doesn’t believe Grand View would have been in last years tournament. Also interesting to hear him say he believes it will be new winner in HOA this year. - Grand View returns a lot of experience with Valdez, Wong, Galili. Libero Dencklau has been around and will step right in. Bring back Annichini from injury last season. Some transfers as well. New setter will be what determines them. - Park lost a lot but returns one of the potential players of the year in Joao Friedrich. I still refuse to say they will take a step back as Talamantes will bring in new and still contend. - William Penn obviously has Krause and also Papes and Figy. Lose Herro and not sure about Libero? Not sure what could have been added but still think the are just outside of winning conference and sit 2-4 - Missouri Valley will be completely different with all the additions from Park. Who knows what it looks like so I’d put them 2-5 - Missouri Baptist added Mendic so is that the missing piece to be contender? Until they get rolling I’d say 2-5 in conference - Mount Mercy will be at nationals. I think this program continues to grow but I think other teams took a step to improve so might be hard to crack top 5 in conference. Until it doesn’t happen I have a hard time not picking Grand View and Park to be battling for conference title. Maybe Luke Bentley is right but just can’t go against it at this point. Other thoughts: Saint Xavier is a huge question mark to me and just might be the surprise team that causes problems. Really liked the Polish duo last year at nationals. Shane Ohms and transfer in middle. JUCO transfer at OH2? Could be a solid line up. One prediction I have and could be wrong very quickly but think maybe GSAC took a small step down for this year but also it was just very very good last year. I still think Vanguard will be the team to be there with OUAZ right behind. I don’t know if Masters can be the same team with Flexon as go to. I think Menlo rounds out the 4 there. My attempt of ranking; 1. Benu (Landon Fuller player of the year prediction) 2. Vanguard 3. Grand View 4. OUAZ 5. Saint Xavier 6. Masters 7. Park 8. Georgetown 9. William Penn 10. Missouri Valley 11. Menlo 12. Missouri Baptist 13. Indiana Tech 14. Jamestown 15. Lourdes After this first weekend I’m sure this will be completely upside and all over but my gut for now! I think HOA gets a 3rd team in this year will champ, mount mercy, and at large. GSAC gets the other at large bids. I don’t think any major upsets happen to keep out top 10 teams |
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