The Olympics are in the air for sure. At the time of this recording we are just a little more than 2 weeks away from the start of the Tokyo Games. After the long break and delay from Covid, the Games are finally back and ready to roll.   It will definitely be a different kind of games. There still has not been a formal announcement on whether or not there will be fans at the Games. If there are, it will be on a very limited basis. They talked about 50% capacity but that is even a stretch...

Way back on episode 32 we connected with Old Dominion University head coach - Fred Chao. Fred was embarking on a very unique experience, starting a NCAA Division 1 women's college volleyball program. Well we are back with Fred this week to talk about a lot of things that he and the team learned after their first season competing on the NCAA Division 1 stage including them getting a win in their first official match of their program. We also dig into what the season looked like coming out of...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Latvian Beach Volleyball star and soon to be Tokyo Olympian (her and her partner have already qualified for the Games 👏!) - Ana Kravčenoka Ana and I connect during her last day in the FIVB Cancun bubble. We talk about her time in the bubble playing against some of the best in the world, how nice it was in Mexico, and her favorite tacos! She also talks about some of the challenges of trying to play 3 back to back to back tournaments in the same location...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with a 2X Team USA Olympian and long time Pro Indoor player. One of the great US Setters - Donald Suxho. Donny and I talk about his current connection to the CROSSNET team and his incredible life journey. I knew a bit of Donald's origin story. About him growing up in communist Albania during the 80's. How to survive, what day to day life was like, and how sport pretty much shaped Donald's entire childhood. He talks about some amazingly inspirational journeys...

This week Ryan talks about his experience at one of the funnest volleyball events out there. The Fudpuckers Fort Walton Beach Florida Tournament.  Ryan shares all his insights from this great event. From playing doubles Open against AVP pro's, to 4's coed, to 4's Men's, and highlights a massive comeback win for he and his team.  Ryan also talks about some tips on attending the tournament, what to prepare, and how a poncho is key (a.k.a it rained A LOT!! 🌧 ☔️ ) We will be back with the best...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP champion & MVP, FIVB Champion, 2021 Tokyo Olympic hopeful - Taylor Crabb.  Taylor and I talk about his unique childhood and the many sports he grew up playing but his overall love for the game of volleyball. We also discuss the incredible feat of someone, someday winning an Olympic Gold Medal in both indoors and on the beach in the same Olympics - a throw back to one of our first interviews with Karch who threw that gauntlet out there. Taylor...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP champion, 2016 Rio Olympian, and fellow CROSSNET athlete - Chaim Schalk Chaim and I talk about his unique childhood days. The unnecessary confusion around his citizenship. The connection he has to 90 Day Finance 😆. Chaim also shares his beach volleyball journey, what he looks for in the right partnership and why he feels like his new partnership with Theo Brunner is the perfect one for him. So cool to connect with such a great beach volleyball...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Kelley Kolinske. Kelley and I talk about her tips on moving to San Diego and the best Mexican food to try in the area. She shares her journey to beach volleyball after playing many years indoors at Pepperdine. She played both indoor and beach while in Malibu. She shares her perspective on a critical beach volleyball skill needed to be successful on the beach. It was also interesting to get her thoughts on what...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Tri Bourne. Tri and I talk about his early roots in the game growing up in Hawaii. His early days playing indoors, even playing professionally in Europe and Puerto Rico. His move to the beach and his fairly meteoric rise when he hit the sand. We discuss how close he and his then partner John Hyden were to taking one of the Olympic spots for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Tri also talks about his journey and battle...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Pro Beach Player - Melissa Fuchs Powell. Melissa and I talk about her growing in a very volleyball rich family. Her having dual citizenship, she has a US and Brazilian passport. We also talk about her interesting indoor playing days going from playing college ball in Michigan, then to Houston, and then to the University of Utah where she switched and played beach volleyball at the NCAA level. Melissa is currently living and playing professionally in the...

I wanted to take a quick break from our normal show to say thank you to all the listeners out there, the entire CROSSNET Team, and all our guests. Sometimes you need to simply pause, reflect, and give thanks. That is what I wanted to do to celebrate our 40th episode 💪 !! Go to crossnetgame.com today to order your own CROSSNET. Make sure to use our promo code - GOLD at checkout for $20 off your purchase. Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: [email protected] Follow Ryan on...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with AVP, FIVB Champion & US Olympic hopeful - Emily Stockman. Emily and I talk about a lot of things like her love for all things extreme. Growing up in Colorado Springs, CO and her love for the mountains. In fact she said that during her time off, she would rather be in the mountains over the beach. We also talk about her love for the indoor game and how much she misses playing indoor, where she excelled at Wichita State and multiple years playing...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with 2019 AVP Manhattan Beach Open Champ and US Olympic hopeful - Trevor Crabb. Trevor and I talk about his late start in the game growing up playing and focusing mainly on basketball but then eventually finding the love and passion for beach volleyball. We also talk about him and his partner Tri Bourne's journey to the Tokyo Olympics and their fairly unique style of play as they split block most of the time. Pretty cool to get his take on why that style of...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with current U of Georgia Head Women's Volleyball Coach - Tom Black.Tom and I talk about his coaching journey and all the many places coaching has taken him. We also discuss his decision to take on dual roles while he was coaching at Loyola Marymount U to also become the Head Coach for the Canadian Women's National Team. Tom talks about how much he enjoyed working with Karch and the Women's US National Team, even helping them win a medal at the 2016 Rio...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Olympic Bronze Medalist, current US Men's National Team setter, and arguably the best setter in the world today - Micah Christenson.Micah and I talk about playing professionally in a foreign country and feeling a bit out of sorts living and trying to adapt in a different culture, different rules, things you don't know but quickly have to learn. We also talk about what Micah is currently working on technically to become an even better setter. He shares his...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with current associate Head Coach for the U of San Diego women's team, former US Men's National Team, and Pro Indoor Player - Alfee Reft. Alfee and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball, going to UC Santa Barbara, and eventually landing at the University of Hawaii. We also discuss his gravitation into coaching, which came very early to him. His coaching career up to this point has taken from from the National Team, to the U of Minnesota, to the U of...

On today's show Ryan answers some of our burning listener questions. Enjoy these great insights around the game of volleyball 🏐. Hit subscribe, give us 5 stars, and leave your comments. Feel free to email Ryan with questions and comments: [email protected] knows, we might get your questions answered on the show like this week! Follow Ryan on Instagram - @ryanmillar9Follow CROSSNET as well - @crossnetgame

On today's show we go CROSSNET with former U of Hawaii All-American, current US Men's National Team, and Pro Indoor Player - Joe Worsley. Joe and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball, moving all over the country, and eventually landing at the University of Hawaii. We also talk about his ability to succeed as an "undersized" player. His thoughts and advice to other "undersized" players. Joe also talks about his current life living and playing professionally in Germany. What it's...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with long time coach and current Head Women's Coach at Old Dominion University - Fred Chao. Fred and I talk about his start in the game of volleyball and how that took him from a path of becoming a medical doctor to coaching. We also talk about him taking over the program at Old Dominion University in it's first year of Division 1 play. That's right this will be year 1 of their program and that is very unique. I wanted to get Fred's take on what it took to start...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with Gold Medal winning, Bronze Medal winning, multi NCAA National Championship winning, and current US Men's National Team Head Coach - John Speraw. John and I talk about his volleyball journey, where he started, how that lead to coaching vs finishing med school. He also talks about the influence a few legendary coaches had on him, people like Al Scates, Carl McGown, and Hugh McCutheon. We also discuss the current Men's Olympic Team, what needs to be done for...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with 3X Olympian, multi Olympic Medal Winner, World Champion, and Italian setting legend - Marco Meoni. Meo and I talk about his amazing volleyball career. One that spans decades. We had the opportunity to play together in Trento Italy a number of years ago. Meo talks about what it is like to be a young volleyball player in Italy. How they develop their young players, how they make their way to the Italian pro league and the National Team. We also discuss his...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with 2012 Team GB Olympian, former professional player, and U of Miami standout - Ci Michel.Ci and I discuss he late start in the sport of volleyball. Moving from the UK to the US and playing for the U of Miami. She talks about playing 10 professional seasons in Europe and what it was like representing Team Great Britain in the London Olympic Games. What it was like knowing that they had a fairly small chance to medal but doing their best to compete. We also dig...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with a volleyball coaching legend, Olympic Gold Medal winning coach, multi NCAA Championship winning coach - Marv Dunphy.Marv and I relive some old times, even as far back as Marv doing his best to recruit me to play at Pepperdine while I was in high school (which almost worked!!). We also talk about some of the things that standout most to Marv during his time at Pepperdine, his time winning the Gold Medal in 1988, and all of the other Olympic Games that he was...

On today's show we go CROSSNET with USA Volleyball's long time Team Physician - Dr. Chris Koutures 👨‍⚕️Chris and I discuss his perspective on all things staying healthy in the sport of volleyball. Chris shares the most important things you as a player need to be looking out for and taking care of. We also talk about some of the injuries that he sees in many volleyball players that might be surprising to you. Another important piece of information that Chris shares his perspective on are the...