Set #1 – Matadors 25, Tyrants 23

Both teams sided out to a 1-1 tie. At 3-3 Matadors scored on a OPP block point and took the lead 4-3. Matadors and Tyrants continued to side out to a 7-7 tie. Then Matadors took a two point lead on a MB block point to 9-7. At 12-11 the Matadors added to their lead with a Tyrant’s hitting error and two OH kills to 15-11. Tyrants sided out on a MB block point to 15-12. Tyrants’ OH block point cuts the Matador lead to 15-14; and then the Tyrants tie on a Matador hitting error. Matadors increased their lead to 18-15 with two OH kills. Tyrants cut the lead by one with an OH kill to 19-17. Matadors bounce back with two OH kills to 21-17. Tyrants called a timeout, then sided-out to 21-18. Matadors score on their serve with two more OH kills to 23-18. Tyrants sided-out to 23-19. A Tyrants serving error gave the Matadors set point to 24-19. Tyrants sided-out with an OH block point to 24-20. Then added another point with an OH kill 24-21. A Matador hitting error cut the lead to 24-22. Tyrants served an ace to 24-23. Matadors called a timeout. Tyrants serving error gave Matadors the win.

Matadors – 12 Kills, 2 Blocking Point, 11 Opponent Errors; 92% Reception and 60% Hitting.

Tyrants  – 2 Aces, 14 Kills, 1 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 48% Hitting.

Set #2 – Tyrants 25, Matadors 22

Matadors score the first two points with an OH kill and OPP block point for a 2-0 lead. A Tyrants’ side-out and Matador OH hitting error ties the score at 2-2. Matadors sided-out and followed up with a OPP block point to a 4-2 lead. Tyrants sided-out and a Matador passing error tied the score at 4-4. Matadors took the lead to 5-4. At 8-7 a Tyrants’ hitting error increased the Matadors lead 9-7. Both teams continued to side-out until 12-11. Tyrants’ OH block point tied the score at 12-12. Tyrants took the lead on an MB kill and double by the Matador setter to 15-13.

Matadors called a timeout. Tyrants sided-out to maintain their lead at 16-14. Tyrants increased their lead with a OH kill and block point to 21-17. Matadors sided-out with a OH kill to 21-18. Matadors cut the lead to 23-21 on a Tyrants net error, then 23-22 from an OH kill. The Tyrants  won the set point after a dig and an OH kill.

Tyrants  – 1 Aces, 14 Kills, 4 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 47% Hitting.

Matadors – 13 Kills, 2 Blocking Point, 7 Opponent Errors; 85% Reception and 48% Hitting.

Set #3 – Matadors 25, Tyrants 17

Matadors took an early 3-1 lead with two OH kills and one OPP kill. A Matador OPP hitting error tied the score at 3-3. Tyrants took a three point lead on a setting error, double by the OH and MB block point to 6-3. Matadors sided-out to 6-4 and Tyrants hitting error cut the lead to 6-5. Matador overpass led to a Tyrants’ OH kill to extend the Tyrants’ lead to 9-6. Matadors sided-out and then scored a point from an OPP kill to cut the Tyrants’ lead to 9-8. A Tyrants’ block point and OH kill gave them back the 3-point lead to 12-9. Matadors score two points in a row on Tyrant hitting error and OPP kill to 12-11. At 14-13 Matadors score points after a Tyrant’s overpass led a MB kill, an OH kill, ace; and another OH kill after another Tyrants’ overpass to take a 17-14 lead. Tyrants called a timeout. Matadors continued to add to their lead with an OH kill, OPP kill and Tyrants hitting error to 20-14. Tyrants sided-out to 20-15 and score another point to cut the lead to 20-16. Two Tyrants hitting errors and MB block point increased the Matador lead to 24-17. Tyrants called their second time out. After a Matador serve the Tyrants’ hitting error scored the winning set point for the Matadors.

Matadors – 1 Ace, 11 Kills, 1 Blocking Point, 12 Opponent Errors; 92% Reception and 37% Hitting.

Tyrants  – 9  Kills, 2 Block Point, 6 Opponent Errors; 90% Reception and 30% Hitting.

Set #4 – Tyrants 26, Matadors 24

Matadors started with a 2-0 lead on OH and OPP kills. After Tyrants sided-out Matadors added to their lead on a Tyrants’ hitting error to 4-1. At 6-3 Tyrants sided out on an OH kill to 6-4. A Tyrants’ MB block point cut the lead to 6-5. Matadors sided-out and Tyrants’ hitting error brought the Matador lead back to three points at 8-5. At 11-9 Tyrants score on a OH kill and MB kill to an 11-11 tie. Matadors sided-out and took a one point lead to 12-11. After both teams sided-out to 17-17 Tyrants retook the lead to 18-17 on an OH kill. Matadors called a timeout. Tyrants’ service error tied the score at 18-18. Matadors retook the lead with an MB kill to 20-19. Tyrants MB block point tied score at 21-21. Matadors sided-out with OH kill to 22-21. Tyrants sided-out with MB kill to 22-22. Matadors took lead again on an OH kill 23-22. Tyrants sided out to tie the score again 23-23. Matadors called a timeout. Tyrants serve caused a Matador overpass that led to a Tyrants’ MB kill that gave the Tyrants the 24-23 lead. Matadors sided-out from a Tyrants’ hitting error to tie the score 24-24. Tyrants OH kill and MB block point closed out the set for a 26-24 Tyrants’ win.

Tyrants  – 19 Kills, 3 Block Point, 4 Opponent Errors; 100% Reception and 50% Hitting.

Matadors – 10 Kills, 2 Blocking Point, 12 Opponent Errors; 76% Reception and 43% Hitting.

Set #5 – Matadors 20, Tyrants 18

Each team sided-out to a 2-2 tie. Matadors took a two point lead with an Opp kill and OH kill to 4-2. Matador serve, Tyrants overpass led to a MB kill for 6-3 Matador lead. Tyrant hitting error added another point for the Matadors to 7-3. Matadors hold on to their lead at 11-7. Tyrants sided-out with MB kill to 11-8. Tyrants score on an OH kill cut lead to 11-9, then follow with an ace cut the lead again to 11-10. Matadors sided-out with OPP kill to 12-10. Tyrants sided out with OH kill to 12-11. Matadors’ OH scores with an acrobatic back handed touch kill to 13-11. Tyrants score a point on the Matadors service error to 13-12. Tyrants dig leads to a OH kill to tie the score at 13-13. Matador hitting error gave Tyrants 14-13 lead. Matadors tie score with OH kill to 14-14, then take lead on another OH kill to 15-14. Tyrants tie score with OH kill. Tyrants hitting error gave Matadors another lead to 16-15. Tyrants sided out to tie 16-16 OH kill.

Matadors netted that gave Tyrants a 17-16. Matadors called time out, then sided out on OPP kill to 17-17 tie.

Tyrants’ hitting error gave Matadors 18-17 lead. Tyrants sided out to tie 18-18. Matadors sided out on OH kill and then won the set and match from a Tyrants’ hitting error.

Matadors – 15 Kills, 1 Blocking Point, 4 Opponent Errors; 94% Reception and 60% Hitting.

Tyrants  – 1 Aces, 12 Kills, 5 Opponent Errors; 93% Reception and 57% Hitting.

As the NVA continues to grow in size and stature, so too does the diversity of the teams that are in the league. The Matadors, in particular, is a very diverse team in both age and ethnicity, based out of Ontario in Southern California. We wanted to dive into the history of the team, what they have been up to, and the goals that they are setting for themselves to succeed in the upcoming season. To understand these different aspects, we sat down with Natasha Mills-Nales, the General Manager of the Matadors, and asked her a few questions. 

In discussing the goals of the Matadors this upcoming season, Natasha explained that as a first-year squad, it is all about establishing the team and creating consistency, both on and off the court. The Matadors want to focus on, “building a strong and complete team that focuses on moral values on and off the court,” according to Natasha. Obviously, the Matadors want to compete and go to the finals, but there is also more to them than just winning, they want to build a family. Natasha went on to mention that, “it is important to recruit complete athletes and grow strong roots in our region, ultimately connecting us with our community.” She proceeds by telling of the importance of, “connecting with young players in the region and developing a solid pipeline of talent to increase our chances of winning in the future.” 

With understanding the importance of the idea of a team serving as a ‘family’ to the Matadors, it’s natural to see how they were looking this upcoming season from a roster standpoint. One player that Natasha points out as an exceptional player is 6’4 outside hitter Nick DeVries, who is a hometown hero for the city of Ontario. Natasha boasts his excellent work ethic, skill, and strength in the weightroom. She describes DeVries as a, “key player in the NVA in the 2020 season if he continues with his work ethic”. 

After pointing out some key talent, Natasha went on to talk about a quick history of the Matadors. She explains that the team was formed on fairly quick notice, which resulted in a variety of ages, nationalities, and skill levels. Something, she claims, you can’t find anywhere else in the NVA. It is this unique mix, Natasha says, that makes the team special. “The variety of mindsets is what helps make this team special, and it adds another sense of character to our already very close team,” she states. The Matadors believe that these wide range of character differences are only going to contribute to the success of the team, and give them a competitive advantage on the court. 

Follow Natasha and the Matadors on their journey to the championship here: https://www.instagram.com/matadorsnvausa/

California Governor increases shut down restrictions again

With the recent increase in the recommendations from the California Governor, the practices remain canceled and the events continue to drop off the schedule, but NVA believes we will see some volleyball this year. The NVA staff remain optimistic that there will be live action by the end of the season. Players are staying strong and hopeful to restart the schedule and provide for the fans. The amazing NVA fanbase will patiently wait for the league to deliver the good news. While other American sports leagues talk about the likelihood of airing games with no fans, the league executives are looking for an appropriate venue that will follow all the guidelines and keep everyone protected.

“…in these unknown difficult times, it is one’s choice to be a leader/role model among their teammates, family, friends.  We all have a choice to continue to work hard, productive or be lazy or destructive to our community.  At NVA, we expect our staffs, coaches, team members, player to uphold our core values: respectful, encouragement, and leadership…” Howard Ouellette, CEO

NVA postpones season due to COVID-19

Faced with the uncertainties regarding the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the impact it will have on the sport of volleyball, despite having the infrastructure in place for one of the most anticipated season opening events thus far, the NVA postponed the season until further notice.

The statistics surrounding the pandemic are getting worse at the moment, but the kind people at NVA remain optimistic that they will have an opportunity to safely host an event this year. Meanwhile, the league announced that the safety of the athletes, coaches, and staff is their top priority. According to NVA staff, until the proposed scenarios for handling the health threat are implemented by authorities and improving the overall covid statistics, public safety will come first. And until the methods that would go into hosting an event with public safety at the forefront are well understood and approved by relevant officials, there would be no opening event. With the likelihood that another event gets canceled still up in the air, the athletes continue to train at home and the staff continues to have their weekly meetings in order to prepare for updates, both good and bad.

During a time when we are at the mercy of the CDC guidelines and the State Governor’s recommendations, it is unclear when the next event will take place and, better yet, what that will look like. Do players wear masks? Only the officials? Just the fans? Or, better yet, will the virus run its course and open the door for the entertainment that our beloved fans have been waiting for? Either way, the NVA will be here and looking for the next opportunity to provide world-class volleyball entertainment.