Episode 61: Micah Christenson, USA MNT/Modena Volley, 10-16-20

In Episode 61 The Viral Volley Podcast is honored to have 2016 Rio Olympics Bronze Medalist, former USC All-American Setter, USA Men’s National Team member and one of the top setters in the world, Micah Christenson on the show.

After the VollyeballMag.com segment, Micah talks about his current team Modena Volley, the Italian Superlega and connecting with fellow Americans in Italy, the extremely talented "Outrigger Canoe Club" crew that surrounded his early years, how his young family lives abroad and how his American teammates are in “… the same stage of life.”

In addition, he talks about his passion to let youth know that there can be a professional career in volleyball after college and how he finds his inspiration to play from the 2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medal Men’s National Team. All this and more on the Viral Volley Podcast!

iTunes: https://apple.co/3o9xlc7
Podbean: https://bit.ly/34cTyhB
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3dGpptX

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Episode 60: Lauren Carlini, USA WNT/Turkey (Turkish Airlines), 10/6/20: Viral Volley Podcast

In the 2nd episode of the Viral Volley Podcast this week, 4-time AVCA All-American and Wisconsin Badger alumna Lauren Carlini drops into the show to continue the conversation from the VolleyballMag.com piece.

Here she talks about where she was when the global pandemic broke out, making it back to the United States to train the USA Women’s National Team, and find out she contracted COVID while in Southern California. From there we dig into being part of the roster that qualified the USA for the now-2021 Tokyo Olympics, but knowing that the competition for a spot on the 12-member roster is gong to be a grind.

We then end on a light note discussing her true appreciation of electronic/techno music (right) and her limited ability to learn foreign languages!

Haleigh Washington, USA WNT, Nosara (ITA), 10/3/20: Viral Volley Podcast

In this episode of the Viral Volley Podcast, Penn St. 3x AVCA All-American joins host Rob Espero to continue the conversation from VolleyballMag.com. Haleigh discusses her desire to be a football player but playing volleyball, succeeding at an early level and watching the success continue through her Penn St. days, the USA Women’s National Team and now internationally in Italy.

Haleigh also shares her experience in Italy where the pandemic broke out in Italy, trying to come home to the USA during this chaotic time. On the lighter side of things she talks about her interest in philosophy and her unique ability to make other laugh—but we focus on her tweeting as of late!

Tina Graudina, USC Beach / Latvia, 9/27/20: Viral Volley Podcast

In this episode of the Viral Volley Podcast, the show welcomes back for a return visit 2-time AVCA All-American, 2019 European Champion and representative of Team Latvia for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Tina Graudina.

Tina comes online to discuss what has been happening so far in 2019—like winning her 3rd straight Latvian championship, testing positive for COVID prior to the King of the Court event in Utrecht, Netherlands, and defending her title at the 2020 European Championships in front of her hometown of Jurmala, Latvia.

Tina closes out the show by discussing her return to USC to a loaded roster and preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Emily Stockman, AVP/FIVB Pro, 2021 Tokyo Olympics Hopeful, 9/24/20

After a brief break, AVP/FIVB standout and 2021 Tokyo Olympic hopeful, Emily Stockman “transitions” into the Viral Volley Podcast from a VolleyballMag.com interview.

We delve into the last few months of news and events in this 2x All-American (indoor) from Wichita St. (aka, “The Shockers”), the landmark 2019 season, post-AVP Champions Cup series recap and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

In addition, we touch on some of her off-court interests at Mira Costa High School, mountain biking and motocross!

*Note: The Viral Volley Podcast will be going to a “most weeks” format with the different time zones of all the guests we speak with. Some weeks may see multiple episodes, and others may see none. Thanks for your understanding!

Cindy Luis, Sports Journalist, University of Hawaii Volleyball, 9/7/20: The Viral Volley Podcast

This week on The Viral Volley Podcast is long-time sportswriter for University of Hawaii Athletics-- with a keen interest in volleyball-- is Cindy Luis, who just recently retired from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Almost 40-years of covering volleyball, and having one of the top blogs in Hawaii and volleyball, Cindy discusses her beginnings, memorable players and walking along her son, Tiff Wells of ESPN Honolulu and CBS Sports Hawaii covering basketball, UH Men's and Women's Volleyball and the USA National Teams.

  • iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-55-cindy-luis-sports-journalist-university/id1502683214?i=1000490426817

  • Podbean: https://bit.ly/3jYgKVY

  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/38TlstgPFWzZ8NI6U64v2D