In this episode, the hosts discuss recent upsets in men's volleyball, particularly Long Beach State's surprising losses to UCI. They delve into the dynamics of D1 and D3 volleyball, including the new NCAA Power Index and playoff formats. The conversation also touches on the growth of women's sports, particularly flag football, and the potential for men's volleyball to expand further with more NCAA support. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of volleyball and the importance of storytelling in sports. Takeaways Long Beach State's recent losses highlight the unpredictability of D1 volleyball. UCI's size and skill contributed to their victory over Long Beach State. The NCAA Power Index aims to improve the selection process for D3 volleyball tournaments. D3 volleyball is seeing significant growth and interest. The playoff format for D3 includes 19 teams, with 14 bids and 5 at-large spots. Men's volleyball is gaining popularity, as evidenced by sold-out matches. The potential for men's volleyball to grow is immense, especially with NCAA support. Women's flag football is rapidly growing and will be an Olympic sport in 2028. The financial dynamics of college sports impact the growth of men's volleyball. Title IX discussions highlight the challenges and opportunities for women's sports. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Recent Upsets in Volleyball 02:59 D3 Volleyball Updates and NCAA Power Index 05:37 Playoff Format and Conference Dynamics 08:26 Future of D3 Volleyball and Expansion Possibilities 11:12 Reflections on Long Beach State's Performance 13:57 Growth of Volleyball and Upcoming Championships 15:28 Investing in Volleyball's Future 17:02 Barriers to Growth in Men's Volleyball 19:28 The Financial Landscape of College Sports 20:49 The Rise of Women's Flag Football 23:28 Future of College Volleyball Programs 28:15 Support the show Instagram instagram.com/setthepipe TikTok x.com/SETTHEPIPE Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6vzpcOYw2BKWMgaR5kKWOw Spotify ...
