Welcome to The USA Volleyball Show, the official podcast of USA Volleyball! Join hosts Stephen Munson and Sevrin Lavenstein as they take you in depth and behind the scenes of all things USA Volleyball. From your favorite athletes across all our disciplines to our biggest events hosted across the country, The USA Volleyball Show aims to create a unique connection between our amazing fanbase and our talented athletes. Subscribe and follow along on your favorite podcast platform or watch the show on our YouTube channel .
Episode 149: An Out-of-Body Experience featuring Jillian Coffee
In this episode, we were LIVE(ish) from Hangzhou, China, at the 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting World Championship. We welcomed Paralympic gold medalist and U.S. Women's Sitting Team athlete Jillian Coffee to the show (1:00 - 42:28). We caught up with Jillian before competition started at Worlds, and she shares what it would take for her and the team to win this event, as well as shares about competing in China. She talks about her journey in volleyball, being a mother and National Team athlete, and coming back to competition after having a child. She also talks about her foundation, hunting and so much more! Text us!
Episode 148: All-Time Great Indoor Male Athlete featuring Dave Saunders
In this episode, we welcome 2-time Olympic gold medalist Dave Saunders to the show (2:16 - 1:05:35). Dive into Dave's career. We start off chatting about Dave's recent induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Ceremony in Orlando. Dave then chats all about his career, including winning the historic, first-ever gold medal for USA Volleyball and the U.S. Men's National Team and so much more! Text us!
Episode 147: All-Time Great Beach Female Athlete featuring Jen Kessy
In this episode, we welcome U.S. Beach Olympic silver medalist Jen Kessy to the show (2:03 - 1:00:17). We take a deep dive into Jen's career. First we chat about Jen's recent induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Ceremony in Orlando. Jen chats all about her career, including the all USA Beach finals match at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Jen talks about coaching former teammate April Ross and her partner Alix Klineman ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games and so much more! Text us!
Episode 146: All-Time Great Indoor Male Athlete featuring Riley Salmon
In this episode, we welcome Olympic gold medalist and two-time Olympian Riley Salmon to the show (3:43 - 1:11:37). We take a deep dive into Riley's career. We start off by celebrating Riley and his upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Riley shares all about his career, including his incredible journey at the Beijing Olympic Games. Riley shares about how important your team is and the importance of "we." Riley talks about his coaching background and what he's been doing since retirement. We have a special guest that crashes the interview and so much more! 2026 Hall of Fame Silent Auction: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/usavolleyballfoundationauction/items/ Text us!
Episode 145: All-Time Great Female Indoor Athlete featuring Foluke Akinradewo
In this episode, we welcome 3-time Olympic medalist Foluke Akinradewo to the show (3:16 - 59:19). We're diving into Foluke's illustrious career, starting with celebrating her upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Foluke then shares stories from her career and memories from all of her Olympic experiences. She catches us up on her family, what she's been doing since retirement, her upcoming start in nursing school and so much more! Get your tickets to the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame: https://go.usav.org/26halloffame Silent Auction: 2026 - Hall of Fame Text us!
Episode 144: Hall of Fame Class of 2026 featuring Nichole Millage-Faust
In this episode, we welcome 4-time Paralympic medalist Nichole Millage-Faust to the show (2:20 - 1:09:37). We take a deep dive into Nichole's career. We start by celebrating her upcoming induction into the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame. Nichole then shares about some stories from her career and memories from all of her Paralympic experiences. She catches up on what she's been doing since retirement, we have a surprise guest crash the interview and so much more! Get your tickets to the 2026 USA Volleyball Hall of Fame: https://go.usav.org/26halloffame Text us!
Episode 143: Why Not Us featuring Dr. Anitra Brockman & Victor Vitarelli
In this episode, we welcome University of Maryland Eastern Shore Men's head coach Dr. Anitra Brockman and 'Why Not Us' director Victor Vitarelli to the show (2:40 - 1:21:16). We go behind the scenes into the creation of the ESPN Original documentary focusing on the creation of the UMES Men's volleyball program. Anitra talks about what drew her to UMES and some of the goals she has. Victor talks about why he got involved in this project and gave some insights in the creation of the documentary and so much more! Stream 'Why Not Us' on ESPN+ and the ESPN App today. Text us!
Episode 142: Doing What I Love featuring Chaim Schalk
In this episode, we welcome Beach Olympian and U.S. Beach National Team athlete Chaim Schalk to the show (3:02 - 1:06:49). We take a beach volleyball deep dive and explore Chaim's insane career. Chaim talks about his continued beach partnership with James Shaw and their goal to qualify for LA2028, as well as his recent engagement to Toni Rodriguez. Chaim takes us through his upbringing and how he was constantly competing with his brothers to building his own home beach volleyball court. Chaim talks about his dual-citizenship with Canada-USA, his Rio Olympic Games experience and so much more! Get your 2026 Men's VNL Tickets now: https://go.usav.org/2626vnltickets Text us!
Episode 141: Gold Medals and Puppies featuring Kaleo Kanahele Maclay
In this episode, we were LIVE(ish) from the 2025 AVCA Convention December and welcomed back three-time Paralympic gold medalist, friend of the pod and U.S. Women's Sitting National Team setter Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (2:40 - 43:19). Kaleo catches us up on her life since she was last on the show in one of our first episodes. She shares about the success, growth and depth of the Women's Sitting National Team, she shares about her continued partnership with Mizuno, talks about winning GOLD in Paris, and we learn more about her family. Text us!
Episode 140: Igniting the Volleyball Community featuring Azhani Tealer & Elena Scott
In this episode we were LIVE(ish) from the 2025 AVCA Convention in Kansas City and we had the pleasure of sitting down with MLV Indy Ignite opposite Azhani Tealer and libero Elena Scott (3:17 - 31:49). They talk about their journeys in volleyball and transitioning from the college game to pro. They share about some of the passions, stories from competing, and so much more. Text us!
Episode 139: LIVE(ish) from MPSF Men's Volleyball Media Day
We are LIVE(ish) from the MPSF Men's Volleyball Media Day. We welcome Pepperdine libero Jacob Reilly; BYU outside hitter Trent Moser, Stanford setter Theoren Brouillette and USC outside hitter Dillon Klein to the show (1:38 - 24:47). We take a deep dive into the 2026 NCAA Men's Volleyball season. You won't want to miss this one. Text us!
Episode 138: Bleeding Black & Gold featuring Nick MacRae
In this episode, we welcome USA Volleyball NTDP Coach and new Long Beach State Men's Volleyball head coach Nick MacRae to the show (1:30 - 39:45). Nick takes a deep dive into the upcoming 2026 Men's NCAA season. Nick shares his gratitude for his new role, as well as how this is a full circle moment for him, as he once played for LBSU. He also looks back on the lessons former head coach Alan Knipe instilled, and so much more. Text us!
Episode 137: BONUS EPISODE NCAA Women's DI Championship Preview featuring Katie George
In this SPECIAL BONUS episode 137, Stephen and Sevrin are LIVE(ish) in Kansas City at the 2025 NCAA Women’s DI National Championship. They chat with volleyball commentator and sideline reporter for ESPN Katie George (2:45 - 14:40). Katie talks about her background and how she got her start in commentating. She shares her thoughts on Thursday’s final four lineups, and gives advice to anyone looking to get into commentating, and so much more! Text us!
Episode 136: 2025 NCAA Women's DI National Championship Preview
In this episode, Stephen and Sevrin are LIVE(ish) in Kansas City at the 2025 NCAA Women’s DI National Championship. They speak with athletes from each of the four competing teams: Morgan Perkins of Texas A&M, Abbey Emch from Pitt, Natalie Wardlow from Wisconsin and Molly Tuozzo from Kentucky (7:18 - 37:07). They share so many great insights and tidbits heading into the semifinals. You won’t want to miss this! Text us!
Episode 135: Not Done with Her Journey featuring Tayyiba Haneef-Park
In this episode, after a long time apart, Stephen and Sevrin are back together after a busy season. They catch up and then welcome 2-time Olympic silver medalist and U.S. Women's National Team assistant coach Tayyiba Haneef-Park to the show (7:16 - 1:11:20). Tayyiba shares about her background competing and coaching on the U.S. Women's National Team. She talks about the professional leagues in the U.S. and coaching for LOVB Austin. She talks about her time coaching in the U.S. pipeline, including the recent historic Girls U17 National Team gold medal win at the 2025 NORCECA Continental Championship and so much more! Use code ZENNIUSAV at checkout for 15% off: https://www.zennioptical.com/ Text us!
Episode 134: Get Your Reps In featuring Sterling Foley
In this episode, we take a deep-dive into the men's collegiate game by welcoming Men's U21 National Team and USC men's volleyball outside hitter Sterling Foley (02:50 - 40:47) to the show. Sterling talks all about his upcoming season at USC, why he chose to be a Trojan and being coached by head coach Jeff Nygaard. He also chats about his time making history with the U21 team, how he was introduced to the game and so much more. Use code ZENNIUSAV at checkout for 15% off: https://www.zennioptical.com/ Text us!
Episode 133: Trust in Your Gut featuring John Hawks
In this episode, Sevrin takes a deep dive into men's volleyball by welcoming UCLA men's head coach and U21 U.S. Men's National Team head coach John Hawks to the show (00:48 - 53:59). John talks about his coaching journey, taking the reins from former UCLA head coach John Speraw, and he looks ahead to the upcoming college season, Then, he shares insights into his time coaching in the U.S. pipeline, including leading the U.S. Men's U21 National Team to an historic World bronze medal this year. Text us!
Episode 132: LIVE(ish) from the 2025 WPV Sitting World Cup featuring Nicholas Dadgostar
In this episode, Producer Curtis is LIVE(ish) from the 2025 World ParaVolley Sitting World Cup in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We welcome U.S. Men's Sitting National Team libero Nicholas Dadgostar (00:58- 28:49) to the show. Nick shares his thoughts on competing in Fort Wayne. He looks back on his time in the U.S. Air Force, talks about how he was introduced to the game, some of his passions and so much more. Nick's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n.dadgostar/?hl=en U.S. Men's Sitting National Team's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usav_sitting_mnt/?hl=en Text us!
Episode 131: We've Got the Beach Pro Tour In California featuring Terese Cannon
In this episode, Sevrin is flying solo while Stephen recoups from covering Men's Worlds in the Philippines. We welcome U.S. Beach National Team athlete Terese Cannon (1:48 - 1:01:53) to the show. Terese talks about her excitement for next week's 2025 Beach Pro Tour Elite16 Newport Beach. She shares about how she got started in volleyball and beach volleyball. She also shares advice about how to look for a beach partner, competing professionally and so much more. Text us!
Episode 130: LIVE(ish) from the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship featuring Merrick McHenry
In this episode, Stephen is solo coming to you LIVE(ish) from the Philippines at the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship. He welcomes U.S. Men’s National Team middle blocker Merrick McHenry to the show (1:16 - 44:52). Merrick talks about the season and competing with the men's team at Worlds, his time at UCLA being coached by John Speraw, how he was first introduced to volleyball, growing up in Texas and so much more! Text us!
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
