BounceBeach: How a 17-year-old high schooler created the most viral account in beach volleyball

BounceBeach: How a 17-year-old high schooler created the most viral account in beach volleyball

The idea began, like all viral ideas do, with something so blatantly obvious it had been overlooked by everyone. Parker Conley was the rare type of teenaged boy in Arizona who was obsessed with beach volleyball. It isn’t entirely unheard of. A handful of professionals hail from Arizona, and the sport has a small presence.

But it is rare, to be sure.

Conley sought any resource he could to learn the sport. Namely, YouTube. He’d watch anything he could find, no matter the era – old school Sinjin and Karch, all things Taylor Crabb, American or international, male or female. He’d see highlight after highlight, realizing, to his own subtle surprise, that there was no Instagram account that shared them. Other sports – basketball, primarily – have thousands of social media accounts dedicated almost exclusively to highlights, sharing clips that go viral, the type you’d see on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

Beach volleyball had none of that.

“I thought,” Conley said on SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, “I should do it.”

Thus, BounceBeach was born.

Maybe. He waffled between names for a bit, seeking something about beach volleyball and some kind of impressive play within the sport. Bouncing a ball is one of the more highlight-worthy plays – just ask Sean Rosenthal, who is still, 13 years later, asked about his “Vegas Line” – and the alliteration worked.

Conley created the Instagram account, pouring over film from The Hague four-star in 2019 as his first event, and began creating highlights.

“I posted six or seven videos, the quality was horrible, I had a huge watermark, you could hardly see the players,” Conley said, laughing at the memory of his first attempt. “I was like ‘I’m not letting those stay on my page.’”

Nevertheless, the social media world took notice. When a sport is starved for content, particularly highlights that players can use to market their own brand, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the highest of quality. As Conley perfected his craft, the momentum only increased, a snowball careening down the mountain.

Soon, the pros themselves, the same ones on which Conley had watched so many hours of film, began reaching out: Phil Dalhausser, Jake Gibb, Nick Lucena, Casey Patterson. Could Conley send over a few highlights they could use?

After sitting down for half an hour, processing the fact that it was, indeed, that Phil Dalhausser who had messaged him, Conley would reply: Of course he’d send over a highlight.

“I had no idea where it was going to go,” said Conley, who is 17 and enrolled in online classes both at a high school and Arizona State. “I’m still blown away by how many people are following it. I thought I would eventually hit the cap and I’d stop getting followers but I haven’t hit it.”

If anything, BounceBeach is only picking up speed, taking on a life of its own. It’s morphed into something of an online forum, a place to discuss the highlights, where the best players in the world can beat their chest or poke fun of others. It’s its own subculture, in a way. When Conley posted a video of John Hyden digging a ruthless swing from Taylor Crabb, putting the ensuing transition point away with a jumbo poke that tagged the back line, Crabb commented, in jest, “Who won?”

This ignited a string of amusing comments and debates, becoming its own chat room.

“As I started growing, it’s been cool to see how the pros interact with it,” Conley said. “That was my goal, originally: to have my name known, build a brand for myself in a way. Having it be a forum in a way where pros will talk about highlights has been kind of surreal.”

In less than a year and a half, Conley has amassed nearly 40,000 followers. More than that, he’s created something that virtually every beach volleyball player and fan turns to when seeking highlights. He tapped the latent gold mine of content, becoming essentially the exclusive source of viral clips. The FIVB took note, asking Conley to edit some highlights for them as well, joining the growing list of players.

It’s become almost a competition among players to get their highlights featured on BounceBeach, which has become beach volleyball’s version of SportsCenter.

“It’s been crazy, surreal to see people say ‘I got on BounceBeach!’ I never expected that,” Conley said. “It’s insane. It almost has become something on its own, where people consider it a brand. When I started, I was just posting highlights for the fun of it.”

He’s still having fun with it. Still digging through YouTube, discovering gems with barely any views.

“I’m like ‘How has nobody ever seen this?’” Conley said.

With him, and BounceBeach, now everybody can.

Avsnitt(500)

SANDCAST: John Hyden, the consummate player-coach, on and off the sand

SANDCAST: John Hyden, the consummate player-coach, on and off the sand

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, is with the legendary, and ageless, John Hyden. At 47 years young, Hyden is still one of the best defenders in the United States, with his own beach facility just outside Nashville, Tennessee. On this episode, we discuss: - Hyden’s transition from an indoor Olympian to a beach volleyball player grinding in qualifiers - Hustling side jobs, like hanging Christmas lights, putting in synthetic turf putting greens, and almost getting attacked by a dog, until he turned the financial corner in beach. - Building his team and system, beginning with Brad Keenan in 2007 - Why he and Sean Scott were so dominant - Coaching up a young Tri – or Tree – Bourne, on volleyball and far more - Launching his new facility in Nashville - The final act of his playing career, and how much juice the young man has left in him This episode is, as always, brought to you by Wilson Volleyball. Use our discount code, Sandcast-20, to get 20 percent off the best balls in the game! SHOOTS!

16 Sep 20201h 12min

Grant O'Gorman and Ben Saxton, pushing for Tokyo and Men's Health Awareness

Grant O'Gorman and Ben Saxton, pushing for Tokyo and Men's Health Awareness

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Canadians Grant O'Gorman and Ben Saxton, who are the second-ranked Canadian team in the race for Tokyo 2021.  More than pushing for Tokyo, however, they -- and especially O'Gorman -- are pushing for men's health awareness, as O'Gorman was diagnosed with, and beat, testicular cancer.  On this episode, we cover: - O'Gorman discovering his testicular cancer, beginning in Hamburg, Germany, at the World Champs - How the coronavirus may have actually saved his life - How O'Gorman and Saxton became partners, and O'Gorman's brief stint living in a van  - Saxton's new mindset of not focusing on the Olympics, but simply trying to be the best he can be, every year - The upcoming King of the Court event, the first time either has competed in the format - The rise of Canadian volleyball, particularly the women's side This episode, of course, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, the best balls in the game. Use our discount code, Sandcast-20, to get 20 percent off! SHOOTS!

9 Sep 202040min

From garbage to a coaching the best: How LT Treumann established a beach volleyball empire

From garbage to a coaching the best: How LT Treumann established a beach volleyball empire

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, is with Livingstone "LT" Treumann, who has established one of the best unofficial beach volleyball training centers in the United States.  On this episode, we cover: - Treumann's days growing up in Brazil, and how a white lie turned into a career in volleyball - Training with the best in the world, including Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego, as a teenager in Brazil - His decision to pursue a career in the garbage business over moving to Santa Monica - Getting back into coaching beach volleyball - How he helped Bill Kolinske and Eric Beranek to a career-high third place finish at the 2019 Manhattan Beach Open - How he established third street in Hermosa Beach as the training grounds for some of the best players in the country - What he's currently doing in Florida with Beranek and Andy Benesh for the next three months This episode, per usual, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, who makes the best balls in the game. Use our discount code, Sandcast-20 to get 20 percent off all purchases!

2 Sep 202054min

Pressure is a privilege for Adrian Carambula

Pressure is a privilege for Adrian Carambula

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter features Adrian Carambula. Nicknamed Mr. Skyball for his towering, spinning serve, Carambula is one of the best players in Italy and in the race to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics with Enrico Rossi.  On this episode, we cover: - Carambula's move from Uruguay to the United States, and how he discovered volleyball on the shores of South Beach, Miami.  - His rise up the ranks in beach volleyball in the U.S., and how he began utilizing a creative, never-before-seen playing style - His tryout with the Italian Federation - The long list of adversity he had to overcome to convince the Italian Federation to give him a shot at playing with Alex Ranghieri - His breakthrough tournament in Porec, Croatia, where he and Ranghieri would take bronze, putting to rest all of the doubts the Federation had about him - Finding his new partner, Enrico Rossi, and where his career is headed from here.  Thanks as always for listening to SANDCAST! This episode is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball ! Use our discount code, Sandcast-20, to get 20 percent off all Wilson products.  Tri and I would love it if you guys ordered a copy of our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, which is filled with lessons from the pros on this podcast.  SHOOTS!

26 Aug 20201h 17min

Traci Callahan has 'quit quitting'

Traci Callahan has 'quit quitting'

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Traci Callahan, who has been competing on the AVP Tour since 2010, with a brief break in the 2015-2017 seasons.  We talk a lot about that break, as well as: - A journey down the Camino de Santiago, and how it inspired her to get back into beach volleyball - Her time as a coach, yoga instructor, bee farmer, organic farmer, and others in between her stints as a professional beach volleyball player - Why she got back into beach volleyball - The struggles of returning to the sport, which included switching positions, not being able to find a partner, and, you know, Covid - Her newfound dedication to the sport, and what it has taken to get back to the top level As always, this episode is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball. Use our discount code, Sandcast-20, to get 20 percent off! We would LOVE it, if you checked out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes! If you like the show, we know you'd love the book, which is packed with some of the best lessons from our guests on the show.  Thanks as always for listening.  SHOOTS!

19 Aug 202059min

Wilco Nijland, King of the Court creator, beach volleyball's ultimate innovator

Wilco Nijland, King of the Court creator, beach volleyball's ultimate innovator

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, is with Wilco Nijland, the CEO of SportWorx, based in Utretcht, Netherlands, and the creator of the wildly popular King of the Court Series. On this episode of the podcast, we discuss: - How Wilco was able, despite all the Covid precautions, to hold a King of the Court - Innovative ideas in the sport of beach volleyball, such as having the first serve of the Dutch Tour in 2020 coincide with the sunrise -- at 5:24 a.m. on July 1, the first day professional sport was allowed - The high-speed format for King of the Court, and how it has attracted a much-sought after demographic: The 18-34 year olds. - The relationships Nijland has been able to build with the FIVB and AVP, working alongside both in the past three years - The idea for Skyboxes -- skyboxes! -- in beach volleyball As always, this episode is brought to you by our good friends at Wilson Volleyball. Use our discount code, Sandcast-20, to get 20 percent off all Wilson products!  And, of course, make sure to check out our new book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, which you can get on Amazon!

12 Aug 202058min

Tri Bourne has leveled up, winning his first AVP title in five years

Tri Bourne has leveled up, winning his first AVP title in five years

On this episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, we bring on host Tri Bourne, who just won his first AVP tournament in five years!  Since launching this podcast, Bourne has battled -- is still battling -- an autoimmune disease, enrolled in acting classes, hosting classes, improv classes, begun reading books regularly, authored a book of his own, and is back in the winners circle on the AVP Tour.  He speaks a lot on leveling up on this show. He certainly has himself.  On this episode, we discuss: - The AVP Champions Cup Series, from week one to week three, culminating in his win - Trevor Crabb hilariously guaranteeing a win at the Porsche Cup, for no explicable reason - Reminiscing to when Bourne was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, when he had to have the conversation if he was ever going to play again - Bouncing back from a brutal first set loss to Chaim Schalk and Chase Budinger - What the next few weeks will look like for Bourne and Crabb Thanks, as always, for listening to the show. Be sure to give a shout to our sponsor, Wilson Volleyball, for making the show happen! Use our discount code, Sandcast-20 to get 20 PERCENT OFF! Also, we published a book! It's called Volleyball for Milkshakes, and we'd love it if you bought a copy, or dropped a review. Every little bit helps your favorite podcast :)

5 Aug 20201h 4min

Joe and Gage Worsley: 'Just figure out the best way to win'

Joe and Gage Worsley: 'Just figure out the best way to win'

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, takes a little turn off the beach and onto the grass. Two weekends ago, the legendary and annual Waupaca Boatride, known as the U.S. Open of grass volleyball, was held, and two brothers by the name of Joe and Gage Worsley took over, becoming the Cinderellas of the Boatride.  Joe, who now sets in Germany, was one of the best setters in the United States while he competed for Hawai'i. Gage still has one more season at Hawai'i as a libero, and he proved that, yes, liberos can play offense too.  On this episode of SANDCAST, we discuss - Joe and Gage's absurd, undefeated run through the best grass volleyball tournament in the world - Grabbing a drunk sub to finish their semifinals and finals after their middle, Dalton Solbrig, went down with an ankle injury - Joe and Gage's relationship, and how when they're fighting, it's actually a good thing - Joe's decision to commit to Hawai'i, before the program had returned to national prominence, over UCLA, Ohio State, and Pepperdine - Joe's difficult path to becoming one of the best setters in the country - How much fun grass volleyball is, and the creativity required As always, this episode is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball. To get 20 percent off Wilson products, use our discount code, Sandcast-20 SHOOTS

29 Juli 20201h 8min

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