[paloalto]

Interesting Fuller is getting so many recruits out of Canada for Beach Volleyball.  I'm looking forward to the day he recruits a player from Iceland for the beach team.

Klineman and Ross have a long way to go to get back to their former playing level.  At the age of 42 Ross has to stay 100% healthy to remain competitive at the highest level.  My guess is they formed the team mainly for professional tournaments.  I think the 2028 Olympics is unrealistic for Ross although one can always dream about participating in the Olympics in Los Angeles.

[paloalto]

Interesting Fuller is getting so many recruits out of Canada for Beach Volleyball.  I'm looking forward to the day he recruits a player from Iceland for the beach team.

Klineman and Ross have a long way to go to get back to their former playing level.  At the age of 42 Ross has to stay 100% healthy to remain competitive at the highest level.  My guess is they formed the team mainly for professional tournaments.  I think the 2028 Olympics is unrealistic for Ross although one can always dream about participating in the Olympics in Los Angeles.

[johnbar]

I would be very surprised if April Ross plays much more international beach VB.  Maybe a few SoCal tournaments.  2028 in LA would be nice, but agree it seems unrealistic.

Alix Klineman got married this weekend (in Italy, I think).  They have one child, don't know if they plan for more.  She's only 34; she could pick up a younger defender and continue to compete, if she wants to.

Incoming freshman Charlotta Bell (from Walnut Creek/Monte Vista HS) won the CBVA Santa Cruz Open yesterday, with Taylor Ford (another local, who will be going to UCLA).  Wish I could have gone over to watch that one, but too much going on this weekend.

[johnbar]

I would be very surprised if April Ross plays much more international beach VB.  Maybe a few SoCal tournaments.  2028 in LA would be nice, but agree it seems unrealistic.

Alix Klineman got married this weekend (in Italy, I think).  They have one child, don't know if they plan for more.  She's only 34; she could pick up a younger defender and continue to compete, if she wants to.

Incoming freshman Charlotta Bell (from Walnut Creek/Monte Vista HS) won the CBVA Santa Cruz Open yesterday, with Taylor Ford (another local, who will be going to UCLA).  Wish I could have gone over to watch that one, but too much going on this weekend.

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok are actually Canada's #1 team, seeded into the main draw #22.

Cochrane/Hancock are in the qualifier, and scheduled to play at 6:50 pm PDT today (9:50am 8/27 local time).  Streamed on youtube.
It is a single-elimination for this phase. The Canadians are seeded Q20, their Chinese opponents Q13.  Four teams will advance from the qualifier to the main draw.

https://en.volleyballworld.com/beachvoll...nder=women

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok are actually Canada's #1 team, seeded into the main draw #22.

Cochrane/Hancock are in the qualifier, and scheduled to play at 6:50 pm PDT today (9:50am 8/27 local time).  Streamed on youtube.
It is a single-elimination for this phase. The Canadians are seeded Q20, their Chinese opponents Q13.  Four teams will advance from the qualifier to the main draw.

https://en.volleyballworld.com/beachvoll...nder=women

[johnbar]

Kind of a wild match for Cochrane/Hancock.  I turned it on half way through the first set, at the technical time-out, and they were down 14-7.  The teams mostly traded points until the Chinese got to set point at 20-15 (I think; might have been 20-14).  The Canadians managed to tie it and get their own set point at 21-20.  Neither team could close it out, until the Chinese finally finished it 33-31.

The second set was almost a mirror image.  Cochrane/Hancock jumped to the early lead (4-0, 9-3), but the Chinese gradually caught up.  It also went extra points, but the Canadians won this one, 24-22.

The third set was similar to the first, with Canadians jumping out to 5-0 lead, but the Chinese quickly closed the gap, and went ahead 10-8.  It was tied again at 11, but then the Chinese scored four in a row to finish it.

There didn't seem to be any wind (checked the weather), so no "good side".  Just streaky.  Well, they are still in high school (mostly).

The stream was a single fixed camera, fairly high up, so I could hardly tell the players apart.  I'm not sure I saw any successful blocks (i.e., that resulted in a point).

A shame to go all that way for a single match.  I hope they enjoyed practicing and interacting with the other teams.

BTW, although Ruby Cochrane is representing Canada, she lives in Hermosa Beach and attends Mira Costa.  Her beach club is MB Sands, run by Patti and Mike Dodd.  So she's got good coaches. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubycochrane/

[johnbar]

Kind of a wild match for Cochrane/Hancock.  I turned it on half way through the first set, at the technical time-out, and they were down 14-7.  The teams mostly traded points until the Chinese got to set point at 20-15 (I think; might have been 20-14).  The Canadians managed to tie it and get their own set point at 21-20.  Neither team could close it out, until the Chinese finally finished it 33-31.

The second set was almost a mirror image.  Cochrane/Hancock jumped to the early lead (4-0, 9-3), but the Chinese gradually caught up.  It also went extra points, but the Canadians won this one, 24-22.

The third set was similar to the first, with Canadians jumping out to 5-0 lead, but the Chinese quickly closed the gap, and went ahead 10-8.  It was tied again at 11, but then the Chinese scored four in a row to finish it.

There didn't seem to be any wind (checked the weather), so no "good side".  Just streaky.  Well, they are still in high school (mostly).

The stream was a single fixed camera, fairly high up, so I could hardly tell the players apart.  I'm not sure I saw any successful blocks (i.e., that resulted in a point).

A shame to go all that way for a single match.  I hope they enjoyed practicing and interacting with the other teams.

BTW, although Ruby Cochrane is representing Canada, she lives in Hermosa Beach and attends Mira Costa.  Her beach club is MB Sands, run by Patti and Mike Dodd.  So she's got good coaches. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubycochrane/

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok have their first match at 8:10pm (PDT) tonight, vs. Belgium.  They will play three matches in Pool C, and are seeded #3 overall.

Both are 17 years old.  Calinda Kok played in the U19 Championship two years ago (one and done in the qualifier).  She's played another FIVB event (Halifax 2023) and a NORCECA.  This will be Ofure Odigie's first international event.

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok have their first match at 8:10pm (PDT) tonight, vs. Belgium.  They will play three matches in Pool C, and are seeded #3 overall.

Both are 17 years old.  Calinda Kok played in the U19 Championship two years ago (one and done in the qualifier).  She's played another FIVB event (Halifax 2023) and a NORCECA.  This will be Ofure Odigie's first international event.

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok swept the Belgians and a Colombian team.  I didn't see either match.  They play again tonight at 10:00pm PDT.  They are already assured of moving on to the elimination round.

[johnbar]

Odigie/Kok swept the Belgians and a Colombian team.  I didn't see either match.  They play again tonight at 10:00pm PDT.  They are already assured of moving on to the elimination round.

[paloalto]

BTW, although Ruby Cochrane is representing Canada, she lives in Hermosa Beach and attends Mira Costa.  Her beach club is MB Sands, run by Patti and Mike Dodd.  So she's got good coaches. 

Also Kevin Wong when she lived in Hawaii.  Cochrane has had the best coaching money can buy.  She also played indoor club on the same team as Kaci Demaria which has fees of $6,400/season.  Her parents probably have been spending close to $15K/year on her volleyball activities.

I believe she was raised in Hawaii, now lives in Cali, and represents Canada in some beach tournaments.

[paloalto]

BTW, although Ruby Cochrane is representing Canada, she lives in Hermosa Beach and attends Mira Costa.  Her beach club is MB Sands, run by Patti and Mike Dodd.  So she's got good coaches. 

Also Kevin Wong when she lived in Hawaii.  Cochrane has had the best coaching money can buy.  She also played indoor club on the same team as Kaci Demaria which has fees of $6,400/season.  Her parents probably have been spending close to $15K/year on her volleyball activities.

I believe she was raised in Hawaii, now lives in Cali, and represents Canada in some beach tournaments.

[johnbar]

Ofure & Kok didn't drop a set in pool play (no opponent scored more than 17 in a set), and got a bye into the round of 16.  They play tonight at 23:00 PDT, taking on the #13 seed from Australia.

Charlie Ekstrom is in Rome to play in the FIVB Futures event. She and Katie Lindstrom are seeded 9th (out of 16), and start pool play tomorrow.

Xolani Hodel (with Kahlee York) is in the AVP Chicago event, seeded #16 out of 16.  They start out against the #1 seed Kloth & Nuss (back from the Olympics) at 11:00 am CDT (9:00 am PDT) tomorrow.

[johnbar]

Ofure & Kok didn't drop a set in pool play (no opponent scored more than 17 in a set), and got a bye into the round of 16.  They play tonight at 23:00 PDT, taking on the #13 seed from Australia.

Charlie Ekstrom is in Rome to play in the FIVB Futures event. She and Katie Lindstrom are seeded 9th (out of 16), and start pool play tomorrow.

Xolani Hodel (with Kahlee York) is in the AVP Chicago event, seeded #16 out of 16.  They start out against the #1 seed Kloth & Nuss (back from the Olympics) at 11:00 am CDT (9:00 am PDT) tomorrow.

[johnbar]

After breezing through pool play, Odigie & Kok got upset in the round of 16 by a good Australian team.  A close match, they lost 18-21, 24-22, 13-15.

In Chicago, Hodel/York went 1-2, losing to the #1 seed, eliminating the #8 team, but then falling to the sixth seed. They win $2500.

In Italy, at the Corgiliano Rossano "Futures" FIVB event, Charlie Ekstrom (with Katie Lindstrom) went 1-1 in pool play, and then got knocked out in the first elimination round.  They win 200 euros; hopefully USVBA is covering their travel.

[johnbar]

After breezing through pool play, Odigie & Kok got upset in the round of 16 by a good Australian team.  A close match, they lost 18-21, 24-22, 13-15.

In Chicago, Hodel/York went 1-2, losing to the #1 seed, eliminating the #8 team, but then falling to the sixth seed. They win $2500.

In Italy, at the Corgiliano Rossano "Futures" FIVB event, Charlie Ekstrom (with Katie Lindstrom) went 1-1 in pool play, and then got knocked out in the first elimination round.  They win 200 euros; hopefully USVBA is covering their travel.

[johnbar]

Senior Taylor Wilson and recent grad Xolani Hodel are headed to Brazil as part of the American contingent for the 2024 Beach World University Championship.

https://usavolleyball.org/story/six-u-s-...mpionship/

[johnbar]

Senior Taylor Wilson and recent grad Xolani Hodel are headed to Brazil as part of the American contingent for the 2024 Beach World University Championship.

https://usavolleyball.org/story/six-u-s-...mpionship/

[johnbar]

I don't think this recruit has been posted here; just noticed her on RichKern.com, listed 6/22/2024.
Olga Nikolaeva, 5'7", Hermosa Beach, Mira Costa, Elite Beach.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...4358243633


I wonder if she is related to the former Russian player of the same name (daughter?):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_Nikolaeva

Yesterday she played in the CBVA Gene Selznick Open with Babi Gubbins; they placed 15th (out of 34).  Belardi & Morris tied for third (lost in the semis). Tusher & Bell got knocked out in the quarters.

Chloe Hoffman played the CBVA Ocean Beach Open last weekend with 2025 recruit Ivanna Rivera-Vargas, finished tied for 5th.

[johnbar]

I don't think this recruit has been posted here; just noticed her on RichKern.com, listed 6/22/2024.
Olga Nikolaeva, 5'7", Hermosa Beach, Mira Costa, Elite Beach.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...4358243633


I wonder if she is related to the former Russian player of the same name (daughter?):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_Nikolaeva

Yesterday she played in the CBVA Gene Selznick Open with Babi Gubbins; they placed 15th (out of 34).  Belardi & Morris tied for third (lost in the semis). Tusher & Bell got knocked out in the quarters.

Chloe Hoffman played the CBVA Ocean Beach Open last weekend with 2025 recruit Ivanna Rivera-Vargas, finished tied for 5th.

[johnbar]

Senior Taylor Wilson and recent grad Xolani Hodel are headed to Brazil as part of the American contingent for the 2024 Beach World University Championship.

https://usavolleyball.org/story/six-u-s-...mpionship/

Wilson (& Myskowski), seeded #2, went 3-0 in pool B.  Hodel (& Durish) also are 3-0 in pool A (seeded #17).  It looks like all 32 teams advance to the elimination round; I assume they will be reseeded based on their pool play results.

[johnbar]

Senior Taylor Wilson and recent grad Xolani Hodel are headed to Brazil as part of the American contingent for the 2024 Beach World University Championship.

https://usavolleyball.org/story/six-u-s-...mpionship/

Wilson (& Myskowski), seeded #2, went 3-0 in pool B.  Hodel (& Durish) also are 3-0 in pool A (seeded #17).  It looks like all 32 teams advance to the elimination round; I assume they will be reseeded based on their pool play results.

[johnbar]

All the American women won their first elimination round matches.
But Wilson & Myskowski lost in the round of 16, 2-1.
Hodel & Durish advanced to the quarterfinals.

[johnbar]

All the American women won their first elimination round matches.
But Wilson & Myskowski lost in the round of 16, 2-1.
Hodel & Durish advanced to the quarterfinals.

[johnbar]

All the American women won their first elimination round matches.
But Wilson & Myskowski lost in the round of 16, 2-1.
Hodel & Durish advanced to the quarterfinals.

Hodel & Durish (17 seed) beat an Austrian team 16-21, 21-7, 15-5 in the quarters (Did someone get hurt?  Or just one of those VB momentum shifts?).
They beat one German team in the semis (21-18, 21-16), but fell to another German pair in the finals (14-21, 17-21).  So they take silver.

https://www.fisu.tv/videos/beach-volleyb...botafogo-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m952VJv024

[johnbar]

All the American women won their first elimination round matches.
But Wilson & Myskowski lost in the round of 16, 2-1.
Hodel & Durish advanced to the quarterfinals.

Hodel & Durish (17 seed) beat an Austrian team 16-21, 21-7, 15-5 in the quarters (Did someone get hurt?  Or just one of those VB momentum shifts?).
They beat one German team in the semis (21-18, 21-16), but fell to another German pair in the finals (14-21, 17-21).  So they take silver.

https://www.fisu.tv/videos/beach-volleyb...botafogo-2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m952VJv024

[johnbar]

AVCA named its Junior All-American teams.

Of Stanford's six incoming freshman, two are first team (Charlotta Bell, Avery Jackson); two are second team (Indigo Clarke, Logan Tusher), and one is an Honorable Mention (Babi Gubbins).  Five out of the 25 honorees.

Our sixth freshman, Ofure Odigie, is Canadian, so I'm not sure she was eligible for AVCA honors.

https://www.avca.org/award/2024-avca-jun...ica-teams/

[johnbar]

AVCA named its Junior All-American teams.

Of Stanford's six incoming freshman, two are first team (Charlotta Bell, Avery Jackson); two are second team (Indigo Clarke, Logan Tusher), and one is an Honorable Mention (Babi Gubbins).  Five out of the 25 honorees.

Our sixth freshman, Ofure Odigie, is Canadian, so I'm not sure she was eligible for AVCA honors.

https://www.avca.org/award/2024-avca-jun...ica-teams/

[johnbar]

Stanford will send two pairs to the AVCA Beach National Championships, November, 2024, in Huntsville.

https://www.avca.org/event/2024-avca-bea...pionships/

[johnbar]

Stanford will send two pairs to the AVCA Beach National Championships, November, 2024, in Huntsville.

https://www.avca.org/event/2024-avca-bea...pionships/

[johnbar]

Recent alumna Xolania Hodel, playing with Alexis Durish, won the NORCECA event in Punta Cana, DR. The field was only 14 teams.

They breezed through pool play and their quarterfinal.  In the semis, they beat the other American team, 21-15, 21-17.
The finals were versus a Canadian team, and the score was 21-7, 21-16 (unless that's a typo on the NORCECA website; I did see at least one other score change).

Scores:
https://norceca.net/2024%20Events/Beach%...T24DO5.htm

Photos:
https://norceca.net/2024%20Events/Beach%...T24DO5.htm

Yesterday the current BVB team posted a group photo with Andrew Luck who was visiting campus.

[johnbar]

Recent alumna Xolania Hodel, playing with Alexis Durish, won the NORCECA event in Punta Cana, DR. The field was only 14 teams.

They breezed through pool play and their quarterfinal.  In the semis, they beat the other American team, 21-15, 21-17.
The finals were versus a Canadian team, and the score was 21-7, 21-16 (unless that's a typo on the NORCECA website; I did see at least one other score change).

Scores:
https://norceca.net/2024%20Events/Beach%...T24DO5.htm

Photos:
https://norceca.net/2024%20Events/Beach%...T24DO5.htm

Yesterday the current BVB team posted a group photo with Andrew Luck who was visiting campus.

[johnbar]

At least one beach recruit is making her official visit this weekend:  Ruby Cochrane.
(When she is on the team next year in 2026, we'll have two Canadian Rubies.)
ETA:  Looks like all the 2026 BVB recruits are here:
Estelle Reese, Alexandra (Sasha) Gusarova, Samantha Krystkowiak, Ruby Cochrane, and Olga Nikolaeva.
Another edit:  maybe the posts from Ruby Cochrane are photos from last weekend, that she just posted on 10/11.

I see assistant coach Billy Allen's wife, Janelle Ruen Allen, has joined the staff as director of operations for BVB:
https://gostanford.com/sports/beach-voll...elle-allen

ETAA:  The team will be at Cal Poly this weekend:
https://gopoly.com/news/2024/10/10/cal-p...ament.aspx

Seems like odd timing for the recruits.

And one more add; match schedule:
https://volleyballlife.com/tournament/24...ols/202662

[johnbar]

At least one beach recruit is making her official visit this weekend:  Ruby Cochrane.
(When she is on the team next year in 2026, we'll have two Canadian Rubies.)
ETA:  Looks like all the 2026 BVB recruits are here:
Estelle Reese, Alexandra (Sasha) Gusarova, Samantha Krystkowiak, Ruby Cochrane, and Olga Nikolaeva.
Another edit:  maybe the posts from Ruby Cochrane are photos from last weekend, that she just posted on 10/11.

I see assistant coach Billy Allen's wife, Janelle Ruen Allen, has joined the staff as director of operations for BVB:
https://gostanford.com/sports/beach-voll...elle-allen

ETAA:  The team will be at Cal Poly this weekend:
https://gopoly.com/news/2024/10/10/cal-p...ament.aspx

Seems like odd timing for the recruits.

And one more add; match schedule:
https://volleyballlife.com/tournament/24...ols/202662

[johnbar]

I count 23 players on Stanford's beach roster (11.5 pairs).

At Cal Poly, the 6-10 teams went 3-2.  Then (nominally) 1-5 teams went 2-3.  Then the 11s (?) Sampson and Vetter won in straight sets.

Stanford was scheduled to play LMU (1-5) at 5pm, but only three matches have scores, Stanford's Belardi & Morris get the only Cardinal win. 
Yet another edit:  All five match scores were eventually posted, Stanford winning 3-2.

Saturday and Sunday is a pairs tournament at Pismo Beach.

StanfordBVB instagram posted "Welcome back Avi Vetter", which she reposted with the comment "After two medical redshirts".  She is listed as "Redshirt Junior" (4th year academically), and it looks like she has not yet played a match in competition.

[johnbar]

I count 23 players on Stanford's beach roster (11.5 pairs).

At Cal Poly, the 6-10 teams went 3-2.  Then (nominally) 1-5 teams went 2-3.  Then the 11s (?) Sampson and Vetter won in straight sets.

Stanford was scheduled to play LMU (1-5) at 5pm, but only three matches have scores, Stanford's Belardi & Morris get the only Cardinal win. 
Yet another edit:  All five match scores were eventually posted, Stanford winning 3-2.

Saturday and Sunday is a pairs tournament at Pismo Beach.

StanfordBVB instagram posted "Welcome back Avi Vetter", which she reposted with the comment "After two medical redshirts".  She is listed as "Redshirt Junior" (4th year academically), and it looks like she has not yet played a match in competition.

[johnbar]

The team is in Manhattan Beach for AVCA Fall Pairs Championship West Coast Qualifier, which started yesterday.

https://volleyballlife.com/tournament/23...nformation

Interesting to see Stanford's pairings.
"Gold Division"
#1 Rockwell/Sorra (tied 17th)
#2 Stowell/Wilson (tied 17th)
#3 Belardi/Jackson (still in contention)

The #1 and #2 teams are playing in a losers' bracket, though the main bracket is single-elimination.

"Silver Division"  (in pool play)
#4 Bell/Gusarove
#5 I.Clarke/Hoffman
#6 Morris/Tusher
#7 Gubbins/Vincent
#8 Doucet/Sampson
#9 P.Clarke/Odigie
#10 Turner/Vetter

[johnbar]

The team is in Manhattan Beach for AVCA Fall Pairs Championship West Coast Qualifier, which started yesterday.

https://volleyballlife.com/tournament/23...nformation

Interesting to see Stanford's pairings.
"Gold Division"
#1 Rockwell/Sorra (tied 17th)
#2 Stowell/Wilson (tied 17th)
#3 Belardi/Jackson (still in contention)

The #1 and #2 teams are playing in a losers' bracket, though the main bracket is single-elimination.

"Silver Division"  (in pool play)
#4 Bell/Gusarove
#5 I.Clarke/Hoffman
#6 Morris/Tusher
#7 Gubbins/Vincent
#8 Doucet/Sampson
#9 P.Clarke/Odigie
#10 Turner/Vetter