Jeff Alzina: Architect of beach volleyball powers

Jeff Alzina: Architect of beach volleyball powers

In 1997, there were six countries with beach volleyball coaches for their national teams. Perhaps one of the most unqualified to do so was one of them.

Jeff Alzina had never coached on the beach prior to ’97, nor had he ever really played at much of a high level, having made just one AVP main draw, in Chicago of 1992. But he still trained with the top guys, setting up drills and competitive practices, making it so that his “biggest experience [on the beach] wasn’t necessarily competing at a high level, but training at a high level,” he said on SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter.

Being the practice guy everyone turned to paid off far more than being one of the top guys there to practice.

In September of 1997, the FIVB held a stop in Los Angeles, at the UCLA tennis center. Not long prior, Athens had been awarded the bid to the 2004 Summer Olympics, meaning Greece would have a bid for a beach volleyball team. Only, they didn’t have a team to send. So a few Greek representatives went to the U.S., then the unquestioned beach volleyball powerhouse of the world, to recruit someone who could launch their beach program. It would be someone young, preferably without a family, seeing as they’d have to relocate to Greece. Someone crazy enough to take on a beach volleyball program without a single beach volleyball player.

Someone like Jeff Alzina.

“They liked the way I worked with young people and thought I’d do a good job,” Alzina said. “So I was the national team’s director and head coach for men’s, women’s and junior volleyball.”

He got an apartment, was assigned an assistant, and then began scouring the country for beach volleyball players, with the goal to recruit a team who might become good enough to be competitive by the time the 2004 Olympics rolled around.

Alzina had a more expedited mission in mind. He found two indoor players by the names of Vasso Karadassiou and Efi Sfyri. They had played a few beach events, enough to be ranked 63 in the world.

Within a year, they were ranked No. 12, qualifying for the Sydney Olympics.

“It was surprising to a ton of people but I saw the talent in them right off the bat,” Alzina said. “To this day, I think the right-sider, [Karadassiou], was one of the best right-side defenders to ever play the game. They won a European Tour stop they had never won – they had never even medaled. So these girls just became national heroes and the federation went bananas too and went ‘Oh my God, let’s keep funding this thing. This is great.’ So the national tour grew, the juniors tour grew, those girls went on to be legends.”

And the legend of Alzina began. In Sydney, Alzina ran into Barbra Fontana, one of the best to ever play the game for the U.S. She had seen the work Alzina had done with Greece and offered to hire him to coach her and Elaine Youngs.

“After that hire, Elaine was good friends with Kevin Wong, Kevin said Elaine had only told him good things and…” the rest, you could say – and Alzina later would – is history.

He was hooked. And because he still hadn’t been coaching for long, his learning curve remained steep. He watched 25 hours of film a week, cutting it up on VHS tapes he still has at home. He began statting matches, reading everything he could get his hands on.

“It was like getting your 10,000 hours of coaching in one year,” he said. “It’s just a little bit of dumb luck, right place, right time, with some motivation.”

Since leaving the Greek program, Alzina has coached nearly three dozen Olympians and several hundred professionals in 83 open finals and counting. He has coached the USAV’s Elite Developmental Program and is currently overseeing its youth teams, which recently returned from a successful trip in Argentina, with two top-fives from the boys and girls teams.

This year, he helped with Trevor Crabb, who not coincidentally enjoyed the most successful year of his career internationally, with two gold medals and nearly a bronze in a four-star Olympic qualifier in Las Vegas.

In January, he got the call from Stein Metzger, whom Alzina coached in the 2004 Olympics, asking if he’d like to be his volunteer assistant. Alzina left a post at Long Beach State, where he had helped turn a program around from 13-14 to 26-10 in two years, and took the volunteer spot with the Bruins.

Metzger told the Daily Bruin that with Alzina, UCLA might be able to become a top-five team in the country.

In May, they won their first National Championship.

“I kinda thought Pepperdine was going to win it all and I thought USC had the talent to be in the finals again,” Alzina said. So it wasn’t going to be easy. He knew that. And when they lost in Gulf Shores to Florida State in their second match, he didn’t turn to the film, as he is wont to do, or to more reps, or to the weight room. No, one of the best coaching moves Alzina made as a Bruin was take the girls mini golfing.

“After that game, one of our freshmen said ‘I got something to say,’” he recalled. “And she said ‘Guys, we were supposed to lose this game. This year is not supposed to be a runaway for us. We’ve got to have a wakeup call and we’ve got to grind and that was the loss we needed. And it just sent this chill vibe to everyone where we’re not panicking, not going back to video to find out what was wrong with them. They just had to shed something off their back and look forward and be positive, and they did.”

So underestimate Alzina if you will. But from Greece to Fontana to the USAV youth to Crabb and now UCLA, Alzina is going to find a way to get his team – guys or girls, old or young, foreign or domestic – to win.

Jaksot(500)

World Championships Are SET! Previewing the Newport Elite

World Championships Are SET! Previewing the Newport Elite

Welcome back to another Beach Access edition of SANDCAST, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. This week, he's chatting World Championships, and the final standings are now out! - George and Saymon made their HUGE move at the end of the season - Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon earned their wild card with a gold medal in Veracruz - VBTV cutting coverage of Challenge events - USA Volleyball sending the fewest men's teams to a World Championship... ever And a whole lot more. WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

8 Loka 35min

Charlie Brande, And a Dive Into The Heart of Volleyball

Charlie Brande, And a Dive Into The Heart of Volleyball

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features an absolute legend in Charlie Brande, who shares his extensive experience in volleyball, discussing the evolution of both beach and indoor volleyball, the impact of Title IX, and the importance of community and coaching philosophy in developing young athletes. He reflects on the camaraderie within the sport, the transition from player to coach, and the balance between competition and enjoyment in youth sports. The discussion emphasizes the significance of relationships and mentorship in shaping the future of volleyball. In this conversation, the Tri and Charlie delve into the complexities of balancing coaching responsibilities with family life, the transition into broadcasting, and the importance of engaging with audiences. They discuss the evolution of volleyball broadcasting, the significance of community in sports, and the lessons learned from coaching and mentorship. The dialogue emphasizes the need for authenticity, preparation, and the personal growth that comes from navigating challenges in both sports and life. Chapters with Charlie Brande 00:00 Introduction to Charlie Brande and Volleyball Culture 02:52 The Evolution of Beach Volleyball 05:53 The Impact of Title IX on Indoor Volleyball 08:40 Foundations of Volleyball Training in Hawaii 11:49 The Role of Community in Volleyball Development 14:50 The Importance of Coaching Philosophy 17:36 The Transition from Player to Coach 20:43 Youth Development and Specialization in Volleyball 23:41 The Influence of Coaches on Young Athletes 26:51 The Balance Between Competition and Enjoyment 29:43 Reflections on Coaching and Mentorship 41:27 Navigating Choices in Coaching and Family Life 45:03 The Transition to Broadcasting 48:57 The Art of Engaging Broadcasting 52:34 Connecting with the Audience 56:50 The Evolution of Volleyball Broadcasting 01:00:38 The Importance of Community in Sports 01:05:37 The Balance of Competition and Personal Growth 01:10:49 Lessons from Coaching and Mentorship SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

1 Loka 1h 26min

BEACH ACCESS: Carol Salgado, The Queen of Brazil; Qatar, Cuba, And The People's Champs

BEACH ACCESS: Carol Salgado, The Queen of Brazil; Qatar, Cuba, And The People's Champs

Welcome back to Beach Access, presented by SHIELD, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. This week, he's chatting the recent Rio Elite, where: - Carol established herself as Brazil's new resident queen - Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan won a career-high third gold medal in a final dubbed "a win for the people" - Cuba's dismantling of Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum - The problems plaguing Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, and Chaim Schalk and James Shaw - Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw, and Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft playing excellent ball late in the season And a wholeeeee lot more SHOOTS! Full recap here: https://sandcastvolleyball.com/carol-salgado-the-queen-of-brazil-rio-elite-recap/ *** Our medical timeout was brought to you by SHIELD Athletic Tape. If you’re an athlete, coach, or just train hard, you know that staying healthy is easier said than done— it’s about staying supported. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD is a U.S.-based athletic tape company built by athletes, for athletes. Whether it’s rigid tape for serious support, kinesiology tape with true 4-way stretch for maximum mobility, or turf tape to fight off burns on the field — SHIELD’s got you covered. They even make recovery wraps for post-session cooldowns and inflammation control. And because it’s all made right here in the U.S., you’re getting elite quality and fast delivery —they are truly not cutting corners. Try SHIELD today — support that actually performs. Check them out at shieldhealthandfitness.com and use code SANDCAST for a discount. Tape smarter. Train harder. SHIELD up.

29 Syys 35min

The Brazil Episode: Kelly Cheng, Molly Shaw Flip The Switch, Dominate Joao Pessoa

The Brazil Episode: Kelly Cheng, Molly Shaw Flip The Switch, Dominate Joao Pessoa

Welcome back to SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter which doubles as a Beach Access episode this week, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down all things Brazil: A full recap from the Joao Pessoa Elite, and brief look-ahead to the Rio Elite this week. He chats: - Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw's dominant run through the entire Brazilian federation for their first gold medal as a team - The home field advantage enjoyed by Evandro and Arthur, who won their third gold medal as a partnership -- all won in Brazil - The HUGE moves made by Calvin Aye and Remi Bassereau and Portugal's Joao Pedrosa and Hugo Campos - The incredible Brazil vs. America rivalry, and how it's still as strong as ever And much, much more. Our medical timeout was brought to you by SHIELD Athletic Tape. If you’re an athlete, coach, or just train hard, you know that staying healthy is easier said than done— it’s about staying supported. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD is a U.S.-based athletic tape company built by athletes, for athletes. Whether it’s rigid tape for serious support, kinesiology tape with true 4-way stretch for maximum mobility, or turf tape to fight off burns on the field — SHIELD’s got you covered. They even make recovery wraps for post-session cooldowns and inflammation control. And because it’s all made right here in the U.S., you’re getting elite quality and fast delivery —they are truly not cutting corners. Try SHIELD today — support that actually performs. Check them out at shieldhealthandfitness.com and use code SANDCAST for a discount. Tape smarter. Train harder. SHIELD up. *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

24 Syys 44min

Canyon Ceman: An Old School Legend's Journey Through Beach Volleyball

Canyon Ceman: An Old School Legend's Journey Through Beach Volleyball

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Canyon Ceman, one of the old school greats who won seven AVPs in a stories career and who is still crushing it playing fours on 22nd Street in Hermosa Beach. Trust us, he's still got a cannon of a jump serve. He and Bourne cover a lot of ground, including: Why Tri Bourne’s retirement hit Ceman, a man who had health issues of his own, so hard What it was like to play Karch Kiraly and Phil Dalhausser in their primes, and what made them so great Ceman’s career switch from volleyball to finance, and why he knew that wasn’t the life for him – and then into WWE Reflecting on the next steps of Tri Bourne’s life and career, as he is at a similar crossroads Ceman once found himself And so much more. What a sweet episode this is. So much to enjoy. SHOOTS! Reach out to Canyon Ceman at: canyon@marinewealthadvisors.com *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

17 Syys 1h 46min

Arnaud Gauthier-Rat: Pushing France Beach Volleyball to Unprecedented Heights

Arnaud Gauthier-Rat: Pushing France Beach Volleyball to Unprecedented Heights

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, the top beach volleyball player in France who has recently teamed with the young – and impressive – Teo Rotar. Already, they have locked up a spot in this fall’s World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, and are a dark horse contender to medal. Recorded at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Hamburg Elite, Gauthier-Rat and Mewhirter sit down to chat about: The epic Paris Olympics – and the pressures of being the home team The wild qualifying process for those Paris Olympic Games, and the incredible stress put on Gauthier-Rat and his then-partner, Youssef Krou A crazy run at the European Continental Cup, where Gauthier-Rat first teamed with Teo Rotar to clinch a second bid into the Olympics for France The bright future of France, whose youth talent is overflowing And much, much more. This one FLEW BY. SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

10 Syys 1h 21min

John Hyden, Nicole Christner: The Coaching Chapter of a Legend's Career

John Hyden, Nicole Christner: The Coaching Chapter of a Legend's Career

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features the legendary John Hyden and his coaching right-hand woman, Nicole Christner. They cover all topics on this one, a fun, wide-ranging conversation that includes: How Hyden Beach, John’s complex outside of Nashville, is doing His transition into the coaching world after decades of playing What made Tri Bourne and John Hyden so special as a team Why Sean Scott should be considered one of the greatest blockers of all time And so much more. Absolute blast with everyone in the studio! SHOOTS! *** WE'VE GOT MERCH! Check it out here!! Get 20 PERCENT off all Wilson products with our code, SANDCAST-20. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Get 10 PERCENT OFF VBTV using our discount code, SANDCAST10 Want to get better at beach volleyball? Use our discount code, SANDCAST, and get 10 percent off all Better at Beach products!  We are FIRED UP to announce that we've signed on for another year with Athletic Greens! Get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D by purchasing with that link.  If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/

3 Syys 1h 34min

Beach Access: Italian Stars Are Born, Norway's Gone GOAT Hunting in Hamburg

Beach Access: Italian Stars Are Born, Norway's Gone GOAT Hunting in Hamburg

Welcome back to Beach Access, where Kyle Friend and Travis Mewhirter covered the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Hamburg Elite. They chat about: - Italians Reka Orsi Toth and Valentina Gottardi winning a shocking gold medal, the first Elite win in Italian women's history - Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum going GOAT hunting, now one win closer to catching Ricardo and Emanuel for most all time - What's up with Sweden's David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig - Linda Bock, the can't miss new German defender And much more! Our medical timeout was brought to you by SHIELD Athletic Tape. If you’re an athlete, coach, or just train hard, you know that staying healthy is easier said than done— it’s about staying supported. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD is a U.S.-based athletic tape company built by athletes, for athletes. Whether it’s rigid tape for serious support, kinesiology tape with true 4-way stretch for maximum mobility, or turf tape to fight off burns on the field — SHIELD’s got you covered. They even make recovery wraps for post-session cooldowns and inflammation control. And because it’s all made right here in the U.S., you’re getting elite quality and fast delivery —they are truly not cutting corners. Try SHIELD today — support that actually performs. Check them out at shieldhealthandfitness.com and use code SANDCAST for a discount. Tape smarter. Train harder. SHIELD up. SHOOTS!

1 Syys 30min

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