Bump Set Chat! The place to hear from your favorite volleyball personalities!

Oblad majored in graphic design at Utah. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Jody Oblad and has one brother and one sister. She was honored as the 2014 Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Coronado High School to its second consecutive state championship. Oblad owns a dog, a boxer named Blink, named after the band Blink-182. She mentions Ruben Herrera, a former club coach and current president of Vegas Thrill, as a mentor. In addition to volleyball, she played soccer and tennis and learned the piano while growing up. Her hobbies include reading, writing, photography, fashion, graphic design, sewing, hiking, pottery, painting, and exploring new places. She also runs a literary and art magazine with a friend called Quixotic.

Other Professional Experience: Oblad made her professional debut with 1MCM Diamont Kaposvar in the Hungarian league in 2020. She played for Les Mariannes in France during the 2020-21 campaign and competed for TopSpeed in Taiwan in the 2021-22 season. In 2024, she joined the Vegas Thrill in the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation campaign, posting a .303 hitting percentage with 145 kills, along with 38 blocks and 48 digs.

What is it like to start a division 1 NCAA volleyball program from scratch?

Anders Nelson coach of Vanderbilt is in the midst of that right now!

A rising star in the coaching profession and integral part of the first SEC volleyball program to win a national championship, Anders Nelson (pronounced ahn-ders) will usher in a new era of Vanderbilt volleyball as the reintroduced program’s first head coach, the university announced.

In April 2022, Vanderbilt announced the addition of volleyball as its 17th varsity sport. The program was originally discontinued after the 1979-80 academic year.

“It is a unique honor to join the Vanderbilt family as the first head volleyball coach of this new era,” Nelson said. “From the beginning of my lifelong relationship with volleyball, I learned to value not only the thrill of competition but the opportunity to influence how young people see themselves and the world around them.

“Challenging and supporting student-athletes to be their best on the court unlocks their potential off the court. To build an SEC program on those principles, in a vibrant and dynamic city, at a world-class university like Vanderbilt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m grateful to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Candice Lee for entrusting it to me. There is so much to do before 2025, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Most recently the associate head coach at the University of Kentucky, where he helped mentor student-athletes who won the 2020 NCAA Championship and recently extended a streak of winning at least a share of six consecutive SEC championships, Nelson will lead a Commodore program that begins play in the 2025-26 academic year.

Meet Riley Wagoner who played for the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. Known for her athleticism, versatility, and strong work ethic, she made significant contributions to the team during her collegiate career.

Key Highlights of Riley Wagoner’s Volleyball Career:

Position: Outside Hitter

Wagoner played as an outside hitter, a position that requires both offensive and defensive skills, including spiking, blocking, and serve reception.

University of Hawai'i Career:

Wagoner joined the University of Hawai'i volleyball team and quickly became an essential player. The Rainbow Wahine volleyball program is known for its rich history and strong performance in NCAA women’s volleyball.

She was recognized for her strong hitting, defensive skills, and ability to make crucial plays in high-pressure situations.

Leadership & Performance:

Wagoner displayed leadership on the court and was a consistent performer, helping the Rainbow Wahine compete in the Big West Conference and in national tournaments.

Over her collegiate career, she earned multiple honors, and her performance made her one of the standout players for the team.

Accolades & Recognition:

Throughout her time with the University of Hawai'i, Wagoner received recognition for her athletic achievements, including conference awards and honors for her standout play.

Meet Teagan DeFalco a native of Long Beach, Calif. and was a critical piece on the Lopes roster that earned the No. 7 seed in the 2022 NCAA Championships. This last season, DeFalco had wins against pairs from Stanford, California, Arizona, Arizona State, Hawaii, Tulane, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, plus a couple of wins against the Huskies.

She has 64 beach wins over her four-year career, including a 21-9 mark in 2022 primarily playing at No. 3. DeFalco also played at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in 2021 and the No. 1 spot in 2020.

DeFalco was also a standout indoor player for the Lopes, earning WAC Libero of the Year honors in 2021 and collecting over 1,800 career digs.

Now her journey continues in the  @realprovb  playing for the Vegas Thrill.

NY Capital Region native on the USA Men’s National Volleyball team. Raised in Glenmont, Michael Marshman’s volleyball journey started as a happy accident, but it’s taken him around the world, competing with some of the sport’s top players.

Most Notable

U.S. Men's National Team debut in 2023 Pan Am Cup

2016 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention

Events

2024 Volleyball Nations League Week One

2023 NORCECA Pan American Cup -5th

Meet Eve Rackham Watt

Eve Rackham Watt is the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers women's volleyball team. Since taking the helm in 2018, she has transformed the program into a competitive force within the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Known for her strategic acumen, strong leadership, and ability to develop talent, Rackham Watt has led the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Her coaching style emphasizes a blend of disciplined play, teamwork, and resilience, which has earned her respect both on and off the court. Under her guidance, Tennessee volleyball has seen significant growth, consistently competing at a high level and setting new standards for success within the program.

Meet Jill Gillen, a Stilwell, Kansas native, is a highly skilled volleyball player that will be playing her second season with the Columbus Fury in the Pro Volleyball Federation. At the University of Arkansas, Jill was awarded several accolades including being selected to the SEC All-Selection team, SEC All-Freshman team, and Preseason All-SEC team, along with shattering program records. As a standout force on the court, Jill Gillen has become a beacon of inspiration as she stands at just 5’7” and has proved herself to be one of the best outside hitters in the PVF.

Outside Hitter, 5’7

Hometown: Stilwell, Kansas

Former Teams: University of Arkansas

College Experience

SEC All-Freshman Team selection

Three-time AVCA All-South Region Team Selection

Three-time All-SEC Team Selection

High School/Club Experience

A two-time conference champion at The Barstow School

Gillen was named MVP, All-Conference, and All-District all four years in high school.

Named Conference Player of the Year and selected to the All-Star Team her senior year.

Fresh off of his 4th Olympics in Paris, a Bronze Medal in his pocket here is Team USA Matt Anderson's volleyball journey. From upstate NY, to @pennstate and now after many years with TEAM USA along with almost a decade of playing overseas here is Matt's journey

Member of U.S. Men's National Team since 2008

Has been U.S. Men's leading scorer every season since 2011

Six-time USAV Male Indoor Player of the Year (2012-15, 2018-19)

Moved from left-side hitter to opposite (right side) in 2013...started at opposite the majority of the time since

Played for Russia's Zenit Kazan each winter from 2012-18...has jersey hung from the rafters of their arena

Has also played professionally in Korea, Italy, China and Türkiye

Left Penn State following junior season to play professionally with Korea's Hyundai Capital Skywalkers

Led Penn State to NCAA Men's Championship in 2008; AVCA Co-Player of the Year

Represented U.S. on Men's Junior National Team in 2006-07, U.S. Boys Youth National Team in 2005

Joined USAV pipeline in 2004

Meet  @masonsbriggs  libero for Team USA

He was raised in Valencia, CA, with his parents, Steve & Dina, and two older brothers, Trevor and Tanner. Recently graduated from Long Beach State University where he was a member of the men’s volleyball team and earning a degree in Business Finance with a minor in Consumer Affairs.

https://masonbriggsbrand.com/

Made senior national team debut at 2021 NORCECA Continental Championship

2022 First-Team All-American; second team in 2020; honorable mention in 2021le mention in 2021

2021 Men's Collegiate National Training Team

2020 Men's Junior National Training Team

2018 and 2019 Boys Youth National Team

2017 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Select National Training Team Program

2016 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 National Training Team

2014 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Select National Training Team

2013 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Future Select Camp

Meet  @masonsbriggs  libero for Team USA

He was raised in Valencia, CA, with his parents, Steve & Dina, and two older brothers, Trevor and Tanner. Recently graduated fromLong Beach State University where he was a member of the men’s volleyball team and earning a degree in Business Finance with a minor in Consumer Affairs.

https://masonbriggsbrand.com/

Made senior national team debut at 2021 NORCECA Continental Championship

2022 First-Team All-American; second team in 2020; honorable mention in 2021le mention in 2021

2021 Men's Collegiate National Training Team

2020 Men's Junior National Training Team

2018 and 2019 Boys Youth National Team

2017 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Select National Training Team Program

2016 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 National Training Team

2014 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Select National Training Team

2013 USAV Indoor High Performance A1 Future Select Camp

Meet Malia Shoji, head coach of  @UNLVAthletics  Volleyball team

Malia Shoji was named the eighth head coach in UNLV volleyball history on January 4, 2023.

Shoji comes to Las Vegas after having spent the last eight seasons overall with the Utah volleyball program and the last five as its associate head coach. She helped the Utes qualify for six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16’s and three consecutive third-place finishes in the Pac-12 Conference.