Personal experience attending an in-person Warriors volleyball game is required for the analyst role.
In a more laid-back lingo, let's talk about Vinnie Lopes and his verbal tapestry, shall we? Now, Vinnie's the dude behind "Off The Block," a website that's been spreading the word on men's volleyball since 2011, and he's got some serious passion for the sport - even more so than a Swiftie for Taylor Swift or a Beatlemaniac for the Beatles.
Here's the twist, though - Vinnie's apparently never caught a men's volleyball match at the University of Hawaii. Now, I ain't gonna judge too harshly, 'cause they say ignorance is bliss, right? But, like June Jones would say about someone not getting the run-and-shoot, "He don't know what he don't know."
Let's take a gander at how Lopes analyzed the NCAA's national championship tournament field recently, shall we? While he did exaggerate a bit, it's all part of the game if sports commentary's your thing. And hey, I'm pretty certain Vinnie meant his comparisons relatively and about a subject he's thoroughly consumed by.
As for men's volleyball, it's already growing in certain parts of the continent, and it's only gonna get bigger. While it might never reach the peak of American football or basketball, imagine watching a men's volleyball match - it's like discovering hockey for the first time. You see one match, and you're hooked like a trout on a line!
Now, one guy who's definitely got folks talking is Long Beach State's freshman Moni Nikolov. This 6-foot-8 serving sensation gets plenty of attention, yes, sirree! But let's not forget about the Warriors' serve-receive, led by the diminutive 'Eleu Choy.
Yeah, I know what most of you are thinking - a little guy like Choy handling cannonball serves from the likes of Nikolov? Crazy, right? Well, like Choy himself said with a chuckle, it's "like a cutter."
Choy's got nothing but kind words for everyone, praising Nikolov's talents and not even batting an eye when Vinnie Lopes overlooked UH's serve-receive or raucous fan base. "It's cool," Choy said. "We just work hard and play our best to have each other's back."
Go Volleyball! Yeah, baby, it's all about that serve-and-spike action, but don't overlook the importance of those consistent passes that keep the Warriors in rhythm. And hey, imagine those spectacular digs if it wasn't for Choy's steady hand? Man, can he play!
Speaking of playing, the Big West Championship was a doozy, an epic five-set battle that could've been lifted straight from the book of Ali-Frazier boxing matches. LBSU might've retained the top-seed in the NCAA tournament, but the Warriors handed them a swift kick in the derriere. And if you think that's a reason for UH fans to frown, just remember - it's a tasty morsel of motivation for the Warriors heading into the NCAA finals.
Back in the '90s, UH had a frontman in volleyball - Yuval Katz. But now, this Warrior team is all about depth, led by a steady rhythm section in Rosenthal and Choy. And while Vinnie Lopes was gushing over the crowd sizes of other venues, he needs to experience the electrifying energy of a live Hawaiian crowd.
I'll finish up with a little tale from last week - a brawl of volleyball that left a thousand players, coaches, and fans drained, but yearning for more. That's the beauty of men's volleyball - it's intense, it's exciting, and it's a game that's miles ahead of its time.
References:
- https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/04/20/sports/story-0404230305.html
- https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/04/16/sports/story-0416230303.html
- https://www.google.com/search?q=Eleu+Choy+volleyball+playing+style
- https://www.google.com/search?q=Eleu+Choy+volleyball+highlights
- Vinnie Lopes, the creator of "Off The Block,", has been analyzing the NCAA's men's volleyball national championship tournament field and has been known to exaggerate in his commentary.
- Despite the growing popularity of men's volleyball, it may never reach the acclaim of American football or basketball, but watching a match feels as refreshing as discovering hockey for the first time.
- Long Beach State's freshman Moni Nikolov is a rising star in men's volleyball, but it's important to recognize the team's serve-receive prowess, led by the diminutive Eleu Choy.
- With a steady hand and a positive attitude, Choy expertly handles serves from players like Nikolov and praises his teammates, even when overlooked by commentators like Vinnie Lopes.
- In the Big West Championship, the Warriors delivering a tough fight to top-seed Long Beach State, showcasing their mettle and serving as motivation for the upcoming NCAA finals, just like the electrifying energy a live Hawaiian crowd brings to their home matches.
