Audio: UC Irvine coach Kniffin discusses trying path to NCAA Tourney

Off the Block leading up to the NCAA Tournament interviewed UC Irvine coach David Kniffin last week. Listen to the interview as the coach discusses his team earning the final at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, his philosophy of scheduling and the emergence of Freshmen All-American outside attacker Joel Schneidmiller.

UC Irvine will play Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament first round on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Continue reading “Audio: UC Irvine coach Kniffin discusses trying path to NCAA Tourney”

OTB, Springbak unveil 2018 Freshmen All-American Team


A nationwide voting committee selected 10 players to the annual Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. Freshmen All-American Team.

The Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. Freshmen All-American Team honors the top NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball freshmen players from the regular season. This is the fifth year Off the Block and Springbak, Inc. have presented the national honor, and it remains the only Freshmen All-American Team presented in college men’s volleyball. Continue reading “OTB, Springbak unveil 2018 Freshmen All-American Team”

Hawai’i tops strength of schedule rankings used for Selection Sunday

Photo by Jay Sowers.

The team with nation’s best strength of schedule will not be in the NCAA Tournament.

Hawai’i finished atop the latest strength of schedule rankings that the men’s volleyball committee used Sunday to determine the NCAA Tournament field, according to documents that the NCAA released on Monday. Continue reading “Hawai’i tops strength of schedule rankings used for Selection Sunday”

Q&A with selection committee chairperson Oman about NCAA Tournament bracket, at-large bids

Off the Block conducted an interview with Janine Oman, NCAA men’s volleyball committee chairperson and Ohio State executive associate athletic director, after the seven-team NCAA Tournament bracket was unveiled on Sunday.

Among the highlights of the NCAA Tournament field included UC Irvine edging out Hawai’i for the final at-large bid and King traveling to Ohio State for the NCAA Tournament play-in match. Continue reading “Q&A with selection committee chairperson Oman about NCAA Tournament bracket, at-large bids”