Episodes

  • Set The Pipe!! #80 Jon Ellmann Building a Division 3 Powerhouse: Inside Wisconsin Oshkosh Volleyball
    Aug 18 2026

    Join us as we chat with NCAA Division III volleyball coach John Ellman about his journey from a beach volleyball enthusiast to a national champion coach. Discover the secrets behind his success, the growth of women's volleyball, and inspiring stories from his coaching career.

    Takeaways
    Success in volleyball can start from anywhere, even a grass court with windsurfing poles.
    Building a strong team culture and community support is key to sustained success.
    Facilities and local support can rival those of larger programs.
    Recruitment is about relationships and culture fit, not just rankings.
    Adversity and slip-ups teach valuable lessons and build resilience.
    Winning a national championship is a culmination of consistent effort and innovation.
    The growth of women's volleyball is driven by increased athleticism and training.
    Division III programs can offer competitive facilities and passionate fan bases.

    Chapters
    00:00
    Introduction and Welcome
    02:56
    John Ellmann's Coaching Journey
    05:35
    Cultural Impact on Team Success
    08:35
    The Evolution of Women's Volleyball
    11:39
    Reflections on Achievements
    14:23
    The State of Division III Volleyball
    17:06
    Personal Journey into Volleyball
    20:02
    Coaching Beginnings and Philosophy
    20:05
    The Journey Begins: Coaching Opportunities
    23:34
    Passion Over Experience: The Path to Coaching
    26:15
    Learning Through Experience: The Role of Mentorship
    29:18
    Building a Championship Team: The 2025 Season
    37:34
    Looking Ahead: The Future of the Program
    41:20
    NIL and Scholarships in D3 Sports
    43:40
    Facilities and Community Engagement in D3 Volleyball
    45:17
    Memorable Coaching Stories and Experiences
    49:20
    Connecting with Legends: Personal Stories in Volleyball
    51:20
    Warm-Up Techniques and Coaching Philosophy

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    53 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #79 From Texas to Olympic Gold: Riley Salmon's Unconventional Journey
    Aug 14 2026

    Riley Salmon, an Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer, shares his inspiring journey from a non-traditional volleyball background in Texas to Olympic glory. Discover how perseverance, mentorship, and a relentless mindset can transform lives and careers. Join us as Riley Salmon shares his inspiring journey from a young volleyball enthusiast to an Olympic gold medalist. Discover insights on mindset, perseverance, and the importance of gratitude in sports and life.

    Key topics

    Riley Salmon's unconventional path to volleyball success
    The role of mentorship and mentorship in sports
    The importance of mindset, discipline, and accountability in achieving goals Riley Salmon's journey to Olympic gold
    The importance of mindset and perseverance
    Gratitude and its role in success

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
    02:44 Riley Salmon's Journey to Volleyball
    05:36 The Evolution of the Pipe to BIC
    08:26 Riley's High School Experience and Discovery of Volleyball
    11:31 Transition to College Volleyball at Pierce College
    14:13 The Impact of Big Daddy on Riley's Life
    16:54 Commitment to Team and Personal Growth
    18:09 Remembering Coach Big Daddy
    20:41 Turning Point: From Delinquency to Discipline
    23:44 The Journey to the Olympic Team
    34:51 Instilling an Elite Mindset in Athletes
    42:07 The Impact of Technology on Youth Sports
    44:40 Competitive Spirit and Mental Resilience
    47:05 Transitioning to Coaching and Mentorship
    49:54 The Role of a Coach in Personal Development
    53:53 The Emotional Journey of Representing Your Country
    58:42 The Drive to Succeed Against All Odds
    01:06:04 The Importance of Direct Communication in Coaching
    01:07:21 Building Mental Fortitude and Team Dynamics
    01:09:03 Embracing Opportunities and Proving Yourself
    01:10:19 The Role of the Second Side in Team Success
    01:11:59 Cultural Influences in Volleyball: Brazil vs. Russia
    01:15:02 Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
    01:18:37 Gratitude in Sports: A Hall of Fame Perspective

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #78 From Virginia to National Champion: Dylan Mulvaney's Volleyball Journey
    Aug 7 2026

    Join us as we explore Dylan Mulvaney's incredible journey from a high school player in Virginia to a Division III National Champion and MVP. Discover insights on team dynamics, overcoming adversity, and the future of volleyball.

    Chapters
    00:00
    Introduction and Guest Welcome
    01:49
    Dylan Mulvaney's Collegiate Achievements
    04:05
    Reflections on Winning the Championship
    07:45
    The Role of Family and Coaching in Development
    12:33
    Memorable Matches and Overcoming Challenges
    20:50
    Transition from College to Professional Volleyball
    23:43
    Future Goals and Overseas Opportunities
    34:01
    The Impact of Culture and Language Abroad
    38:12
    Injury and Recovery Story
    48:24
    Coaching, Mentorship, and Giving Back
    52:19
    Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Athletes

    Resources

    Springfield College Volleyball Program - https://springfield.edu/athletics/volleyball
    Dylan Mulvaney's Instagram - https://instagram.com/dylanmulvaney
    Frog Jump Volleyball Awards - https://frogjump.com/awards
    USA Volleyball - https://usavolleyball.org/
    Bruno Romanotti (Agent) - https://linkedin.com/in/brunoromanotti

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #77 A conversation w/ Krystal Jackson, former All-American volleyball player at UCLA.
    Jul 29 2026

    Join us for an inspiring conversation with Krystal Jackson, a former All-American volleyball player from UCLA, as she shares her journey from the court to coaching and entrepreneurship. Discover how she's empowering the next generation of athletes in Montana through her unique approach to volleyball and personal development.

    Key takeaways:
    Krystal's transition from a successful volleyball career to coaching and running a business.
    The importance of mindset and positivity in sports and life.
    How Krystal fosters a supportive environment for young athletes.
    Insights on the growth of women's volleyball and its impact on future generations.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Introduction
    00:30 Krystal's volleyball journey
    05:00 Coaching philosophy
    10:00 The importance of mindset
    15:00 Women's volleyball growth
    20:00 Future aspirations

    What's your biggest challenge in sports or coaching? Drop it in the comments!

    Subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights from the world of volleyball!

    #Volleyball #WomenInSports #Coaching


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    55 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #76 10 Years of Advocacy: North Carolina Sanctioned Boys Volleyball w/ Sarah Conklin!
    Jul 14 2026

    Sarah Conklin shares her decade-long journey to get boys volleyball sanctioned in North Carolina, highlighting the challenges, victories, and future growth prospects for high school boys volleyball across the country.

    00:00
    Introduction and Exciting News
    01:50
    Sanctioning Boys Volleyball in North Carolina
    05:35
    Challenges in Sanctioning Sports
    09:29
    The Future of Boys Volleyball
    13:11
    Growth and Opportunities in Volleyball
    16:48
    The Future of Boys Volleyball in the U.S.
    18:15
    Celebrating Achievements in Volleyball Sanctioning
    19:35
    Challenges and Inconsistencies in Volleyball Programs
    22:27
    The Importance of Expert Voices in Decision Making
    24:33
    The Growth Potential of Boys Volleyball
    27:12
    Community Support and Future Aspirations for Volleyball

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    32 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #75 International Athletes Share College Volleyball Insights
    May 23 2026

    This episode features international college volleyball players sharing their journeys, cultural experiences, and insights into the sport's development across countries. Discover how these athletes balance academics, sports, and adapting to life abroad, and learn about the evolving landscape of college volleyball. Italy, Norway, Brazil and Ukraine.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Team Background
    02:46 The Journey of International Players to NCAA Volleyball
    05:25 Cultural and Educational Challenges in a New Country
    08:05 Training and Development in Different Countries
    10:46 Language Acquisition and Communication in Sports
    13:44 Comparative Analysis of Youth Volleyball Training
    16:11 The Impact of International Players on College Volleyball
    24:01 Foundations of Volleyball Training
    24:57 The Academy Experience in Norway
    25:48 Coaching Styles and Training Regimens
    27:29 The American Volleyball Landscape
    29:39 Future Aspirations and Professional Goals
    37:34 Cultural Experiences in College Sports
    45:39 Coping with Homesickness
    46:29 Cultural Connections and Homesickness
    47:24 Adapting to New Environments
    49:21 The Role of Technology in Communication
    51:49 Reflections on Coaching and Team Dynamics
    55:08 The Evolution of College Volleyball
    55:52 Coaching Styles and Team Atmosphere

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #74 Charlie Sullivan 2026 NCAA D3 Champion Head Coach for Springfield College
    May 5 2026

    In this engaging interview, Coach Charlie Sullivan shares insights from Springfield College's historic 2026 Division III men's volleyball championship win. Discover strategies for success, handling pressure, and elevating the sport's professionalism.

    Embrace failure as fertilizer for success.
    Focus on small moments that define the outcome.
    Maintain professionalism and respect in sportsmanship.
    Build strong relationships and team cohesion.
    Learn from mistakes and correct course quickly.

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    19 mins
  • Set The Pipe!! #73 Inside College Volleyball: From JuCo to NCAA Championships
    Apr 29 2026

    This episode features an in-depth discussion on the growth and development of men's and women's volleyball across different levels, including JuCo, D3, and NCAA, highlighting recent tournaments, coaching insights, and the future of the sport.

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction to Men's Volleyball Landscape

    02:41
    JuCo Volleyball Highlights and Playoff Insights

    05:34
    California vs. National Volleyball Dynamics

    08:26
    The Impact of NCAA Rules on Junior College Volleyball

    11:25
    Growth of D3 Volleyball and Its Implications

    14:24
    Final Thoughts on the Future of Men's Volleyball

    20:47
    The Importance of Tournament Opportunities

    23:29
    Celebrating Achievements in Volleyball

    28:28
    The Growth of Women's Beach Volleyball

    32:37
    The Appeal of the Collegiate System

    35:49
    Excitement for Upcoming Championships

    42:20
    The Future of Volleyball and Community Engagement



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    50 mins