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More than 40 seasons of college men’s volleyball has resulted in numerous memorable and interesting moments.
Off the Block on the final Thursday of each month during the college men’s volleyball regular season will showcase several match highlights and stories from the past in an effort to help preserve the sport’s history.
After scouring the internet for old match footage and stories, Off the Block has its list. Check out this college men’s volleyball Thursday Throwback looking at some of the best and most interesting moments.
1994 NCAA Championship: Penn State vs. UCLA
Outside attacker Ivan Contreras led Penn State to an upset victory against then-No. 1 UCLA as the Nittany Lions became the first non-West Coast team to win the NCAA championship. Check out the video highlights of the championship point.
1981 NCAA Championship: UCLA vs. USC
UCLA defeated its cross-town rival USC in five games to win the 1981 NCAA championship — its first of four consecutive national titles in the 1980s. Check out the video highlights from the decisive fifth match of that all-Los Angeles title match.
http://youtu.be/iGblPDvCT74
Ball State: A Very Hairy Tale
Ball State players in 2008 opted to grow out their facial hair throughout the month of February. The Cardinals while not shaving promptly went on a month-long winning streak and moved into the national rankings. Check out this throwback video package looking at the Ball State beards.
Loyola upsets Penn State in 2010
In honor of Loyola moving to No. 1 in this week’s AVCA coaches poll, check out this video filmed by a fan of Loyola’s match-point in a five-game upset victory against then-No. 5 Penn State in 2010.
Ball State rallies to defeat Lewis in 2008
This week was the six-year anniversary of one of the best post-match quotes, courtesy of Ball State coach Joel Walton. To read what the coach said following his team rallying from a two-game deficit to defeat Lewis in a conference match, click here.
U.S. Senate resolution about Hawai’i men’s volleyball in 2002
Some things actually do get passed in the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Senate in May 2002 passed a resolution congratulating Hawai’i on winning the NCAA championship, which a year later it would have vacate because of NCAA violations. To read the Hawai’i men’s volleyball resolution, click here.
Rooney leads Pepperdine to 2005 NCAA championship
All-American outside attacker Sean Rooney had a team-high 26 kills as Pepperdine defeated UCLA in the 2005 NCAA finals. To read the game story on how Rooney was able to lead the Waves to their fifth national championship, click here.