Major League Minute: Hey, welcome to the Major League Minute podcast. I'm Doc and I'm here with GMP and today we're talking all things MLV. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. It is the Major League Minute on YouTube. We are currently sitting around 52 something. Subscribers looking to get to 100 subscribers within the next couple weeks. if you find this content beneficial, you enjoy listening to it, please let us know by subscribing to our YouTube channel, then follow us on TikTok and Instagram at the Major League Minute podcast. Let's get into it today. It's a, what are, where are at here? Episode 20? Yep. We'll do week 11 recap and the week 12 preview. we'll start with the, we're always, we love to start with the volley app update because I am gradually week after week ⁓ down the, for reason, obviously I don't know how, ⁓ don't why, but it's happening and you're actually, I'm going the other way. So maybe you can bring us up to speed on the whole volley app thing. Uh, our goal is to get to 50 teams in our league. Right now we're at 45. So we've gotten one new team the last, I think, three weeks. So slowly but surely we're on our way to 50. And it's never too late to join the fantasy league. And how would they do it if they wanted to? Go to playvolley.com forward slash MLM. And then it'll be, it'll just prompt you to get the app and then make a team. And then you join our fantasy league. it's tons of fun and it's free. It is free and it is tons of fun. I'm very obsessed. have two asks. One, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Second, if you think Doc is funny, subscribe to our YouTube channel. OK, we'll see what that does. Because you are. You're hilarious. not. So if our numbers don't go up, means I'm only reason why people listen. It's all because of you. OK. Are you second? you not like attention on yourself? Cause you just kind of like, I'm not mad at, I'm just trying to move this thing right along. Our second ask is to join our fantasy league. Our second ask is to join our fantasy league. to emphasize. It's never too late to join. We'd love having you because there's some people are moving up and back. mean, had the Tallahassee Turtles. first place this week on our leaderboard for this season. Shout out to Jay Vikes. He or she, guess I'm not sure. They, them, he, she, they, them. Yes. anyway, surpassed Tallahassee Turtles. So Tallahassee Turtles is now no longer number one reigning king. Where'd they to? I think they're only second, but I'm just saying JV Vikes, or wait, no, J Vikes kicked them out of their throne. Okay. Tallahassee's been up there for a long time. When I looked at the round, Tallahassee Turtles finished 23rd last round. a rough week. Yeah, you. So you finished 22nd better than the Tallahassee Turtles. So how would that week because we did have some injuries? How? What if you have somebody on your roster that gets injured and now they're? That's why your bench is really important. You have never save enough coin for to pick a bench. No bench players are free. You don't you not you're not charged for. See, is the fine print that. probably most of us don't know about. That's why you're actually leading in the league. That one is very easy to figure out when you select it. just, it you and you can, it'll, ⁓ you select it free of charge. If you try selecting someone, it's not going to ask you for additional money. Okay. I thought because I was out of money that I was out of players. So how many subs can I pick then? You get, one sub position. Yeah, so that's crucial because killing me. For example, this is a great example. week I had I this was ⁓ the first time I signed someone for a three contract and it was Blake Moller. OK. As I'm sure we'll get into it, but she had a season ending injury this So what app does, it automatically replaces your bench player with that person. Not even if there's just an injury. Pretend like, say my sub was Reagan Pittman my regular player was Blake Muller. Say Blake only scored 30 points and Reagan on my bench scored 80. It'll automatically substitute. It'll make that sub for you. It works in your best interest. Yes. That's why you got to select a bench. How was I supposed to know that? That one's easy. ⁓ one's easy to find out. I need the rules of the game. Okay, that's where the help section comes from. But also there's always the info icons on like every single button there. Okay. So that one, I promise you that one's easy to find out. There are, I will agree with you, there are other things where I'm like, I guess I don't know the answer. I'd have to go look at the fine print, but- Maybe I'm the only one. Maybe, but maybe not. Listen, if you're asking, I'm sure there's someone else out there asking. Or not, but the best team names in order. Okay. Well, wait back. I guess we can go this way. I was looking Do you just want to let us know that you finished last and now you're fourth overall? What are you talking about? finish last. Ninth in the last round. No, that's not what I was going to say. But in the last round, I finished ninth, which is a low week for me. But I'm somehow still advanced one position on the season leaderboard and I'm now fourth. Okay. However that works. Yeah. Where's your mother-in-law? at 22nd. I don't know. don't know. I'll have to check with her. Please do. Okay. Okay. ⁓ best team names in my opinion, in the order I'm just going the top three because ⁓ started like browsing through the teams and I was just trying to see if I recognized anybody. and I, I can't believe I haven't looked at these team names before because some of them are pretty funny. Did you look? No. Some of them are just random. I remember there was a team name in there called Fuzzies. I'm just like, okay, there's one like D-Claw. Certified Roofers Union. Certified Roofers Union. That one is a good one, but it didn't make my top three. So anyway, here we go. Third place. I'm choosing Go Net It. So Go Net It. It's like go get it, but go net it. Now, Ironically, I think that's a terrible thing because you don't want to touch the net. why I thought it was funny. I think that person intended it to be like that. Go net it. What place are they in? Do we have any idea? No, I can't check with my phone. This ain't about what place or it's about ⁓ the I'm just talking about the names. Yeah, the names. So number three, or I guess in third place, go net it. All right. Second place, which... I have to emphasize or I have to preface. think this might be an inappropriate. it's volleyball lingo. ⁓ Okay. So second place is give the back. Right. That means set them back real quick. That's exactly what that means. That's the only thing that means. What were you thinking? well, We'll talk about that later. real quick. Give it to them. Yes. So I thought that one was funny. Comical. Yes. And then first place. This is you. This has to be you. This might not be everyone else's first place, but for me, this is first place. And that is Pusick's Black Shoes. Are you kidding me? somebody that's been listening to the podcast. Yes. Shout out to that person. Love you for the team name. That is hilarious. It's probably her. probably Pusik or my gosh, that would be hilarious. But seriously, such a creative name. And thank you because I noticed it. And I again, it just reaffirms that someone out there is actually listening to us. So I thought that was really funny because that's your volleyball. Ick for those that don't know, right? Yes, black shoes, white socks, but just in general, black shoes on a volleyball player are just icky and she wears them every match, every match, which is Even more frustrating because we're over halfway and now you see when like players will switch out their shoes. I don't know if you've, I don't know if you paid to pay attention to details like that. Like I do, but we see like players are busting out new shoes and they're, you know, they're making their rotations in their shoe game. but Pusek has not, she's still rocking and rolling with those black shoes. And you know what it's working for. She's on the all stock team. She is good. I, I, again, I have to say. Just because you wear black shoes, it's not fact, you're unathletic. You just look like It just appears that way. But she's great. Also wanted to say, because this is just kind of funny and it caught my attention, there's a team name out there called Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, but they're sitting in the 41st spot in our league. Okay. So I thought that was funny. What's so funny? Because their name is the winner winner chicken dinner, but they're not even in the top 10. They're a loo-tha. They're not even in the top 10. Winner winner chicken dinner. Get it together. High hopes. I love it. They probably don't know about all these hot tea rules and these hot takes on what to do when and that you can have bench players and that you need middles and that. All you have to do is read the info icons. mean, we just need, some of us just need the cliff notes. You just need to take the time. Five minutes. That's all it will take. Okay, let's go to the top scores for the week for the for the fantasy league, which made no sense to me, obviously. Atlanta only played one match this week. So how could they have the top three performers points wise in the match? Okay, this is a great thing. I need to make a note because this is something that I don't understand. This is a specific question that I need to go read about because I don't know to your point. Like, makes sense. because how can you get penalized as a player when you don't even get to control the calendar, the schedule, and you only play once, but all the other, or not all the other, but maybe six of the other eight teams get to play twice that week. So it makes sense that it's not penalizing the players for that. I just don't, I would just like to read the explanation of like exactly word for word what it means, but to your point, this is- a very interesting week because the top three scorers are A, are on the same team. And this team only played once this week, right? So ⁓ is So we had third place top scorer was Avery Carlson, which is actually kind of crazy because I think this is the first time we've ever seen a setter finish in the top three. So. ⁓ I mean, she had some digs, maybe some blocks. assuming. Okay. Second place, a familiar name, Leah Edmond with 100.4 points. And then first place, shout out to Iko Jones. I think this is her first time getting first. I don't know if I can't confidently say this is her first time in the top three. But I think this is the first time at first place. So she scored 115.2 points last week. Is that a lot? Yeah. Okay. That's on the very high end. vibe must've rolled in that match in order to, well, they did put up these kinds of numbers. did upset, it's, this is the fantasy league. mean, you never know who's going to do well. mean, we had the Tallahassee turtles dropping back for the first time in weeks, maybe months. And then we got GMP moving up and ⁓ surely, but slowly I keep sliding down. But now that I know the rules, I'm looking forward to the second half of the season. So let's get into some of the MLV news. I heard the other day on one of the broadcasts that the MLV used to be PVF is now at, they hit their one millionth fan mark. That means in attendance, the average is 4,000 fans per match or attendees per match. So impressive. What's your perspective mean, if we're going to compare it to love, absolutely impressive. Dang. I wish I would have got the deets on that on love. We can kind of go apples to apples, but I, I wouldn't even guess that they've hit 500,000. And they've been around for how many seasons? Is this their second or third? Yeah, it's only their second. okay, so to your point, that we do have one more year on them. I mean, everybody knows like, their attendance is not the greatest. That's not what they emphasize, I don't think. It's not part of their business model. I would love to run the numbers from We can go the MLB versus the I was going to say, I think the better comparison would be like the WNBA or soccer even. WNBA, just signed a new contract. Did you see that? No. Yeah, the Players Association and the league came to an agreement and huge pay coming for the WNBA. For the players? Yes. How do we feel about that? That's a whole can of worms. Yeah, I don't know. Maybe we'll have a separate podcast on that one. And we'll leave that one for the WNBA Minute perhaps. We'll let the Just Because podcast pick that one up. That'd be a good one. Yep. But it looks like we're averaging about 4,000 per match over the last few years, which is could be better. I think it could be better in certain locations. However, those are like cities where there is a ton of battle for entertainment. I mean, I mean, when you think of San Diego, that's one of, in my experiences, that's the least amount of fans in the building. And it's San Diego. mean, you have the beach to fight with. So I ⁓ why those numbers are probably a little bit lower, but think Omaha and Columbus are really skewing the right? Yeah, we're carrying the load, but ⁓ it's not bad thing. I mean, it's all good. I think for a franchise, I guess I should say a league that's only been around this is year three. I would say this is pretty good. I think the bigger idea is that it's trending in the right direction. Yes. know things are going to take time. With the new commissioner. Oh, the commissioner. 15 years in the NFL. Like, I'm really excited to see what she does for this league and how just how much she's going to elevate it and bring attention to it. Yeah, that's awesome. Can't wait for it to see the effects of the new commission, the league. But I did want to talk about, I don't know if you watched one of the matches, has there or was there a rule change as it relates to or what is the rule? Because I was watching the match, Indy was playing and I, after serve, Elena Scott ⁓ jumped front or switched positions while the serve was over the net with Anna DeBeer in the back row. What are the rules on that? What? So Indie Ignite is receiving. Yes. And the ball is coming over it. It has released from the server's hand. It's in the air. Because you have to start in your position, right? I mean, yes. OK. Yes. When can you switch? Because announcer evens. Is that the rule? Has that always been the rule? Yes. Oh. What do you? I thought it was after first contact. No. After they pass it? Yeah. No, it's after the ball is released from the server's hand. rule change with that. Yeah, I saw your notes on that and I was like, ⁓ don't know ⁓ he's referencing. Okay, I thought maybe there was a difference. So like, I'm assuming what happened was Elena was helping Anna with passing and just scooted her out of the way. They literally switched or Elena just went in front of her. Switched. Well, I mean, it's... Can do that in college? Is that the same rule in college? Yeah. ⁓ Yeah. Well, good. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad I brought that up and didn't learn anything from that. did learn. ⁓ learned that it was always a thing. Yeah, that it's always a thing. Now we can talk about some injuries, ⁓ wait, you forgot the new hire. We'll talk about that down there, I think. ⁓ yeah. Under the new hire for it. We got one for Orlando and one for the Vibe. We'll talk about them in a second. OK. Let's talk about the season engine ending injuries. with Blake Moller and Leah Myers. Yeah. So I knew Leah Myers was injured, but I did not catch that it was a season ending injury. So that made me sad for her because I mean, of her last matches was against Omaha and she tore us up. She was like one of their top scorers in that match. So I thought that she was really doing a great job for her team and in leading in a lot of different ways. So I'm Grand Rapids needs all the help they can get. I know they really do. They really do. And we'll get to that in a little bit. But yeah, so I did not know that Leah was out for the season. And then unfortunately, we saw Blake Moller also season ending injury, which at the time of the match, we didn't know it was going to be season ending. But as I'm sure a lot of people saw her social media post, you know, she did the whole thank you so much. Sad to go. This isn't what I wanted, but Love my team. Love all the support. So that just really stinks. Did you watch that happen? I did. Yeah. She actually playing. She had like three incredible kills. I think a couple were on a slide back to back to back. And then this happened. Looked like a non-contact injury. Yeah. That was, that's the worst part of all. Sometimes you would rather it be contact because then you just have something to blame it on. But this just looks like she jumped up to block. she came down on the ground, didn't land on anybody else, wasn't bumped by anybody. I don't know if it was the ankle or the knee. It seemed like the knee to me, but the announcers were talking about like it was the ankle, but it seemed it was the knee. And I think from a social media post she put out, sounded like it was a knee too. ⁓ okay. Yeah. So yeah, that's just such a bummer that that just is a, you know, a freak accident that. But I mean, That's kind of been the nature of the beast for the Indie Ignite was, you know, they've been preparing all season for things like this to happen because they've been playing all their players. Yes. That's a very good point. It's not like this is going to impact them drastically. Although she was a great middle playing at an all star level, they've been plugging and playing and the coach Bertolotti has been pushing all the right buttons all season long. wouldn't expect it to. drop off at whatsoever would you? don't so. I do think that team chemistry would change. Excuse me, I do think that the chemistry is going to look different. But I don't, I do believe that the Indie Ignite will still perform at a very high level. I don't think this is something that's gonna, you know, kick their feet out from underneath them and they're gonna just implode from here. I think that to your point, they have been preparing for something like this. So I think they're, still going to be a very tough team to beat. ⁓ looked like Lydia was, we can get into this a little bit later, but Lydia was also in, she was in a boot. and I think that was from the Omaha match. I remember there was a tweak in the Omaha match. ⁓ you that? Yep. I actually asked her about it afterwards. she played it. She did play through it. ⁓ so it's just unfortunate to see that now it's, you know, an even greater scale. But the good news is her injury does not seem like a season ending injury. So I think we'll see her again. Yeah, I think the boot was just a precautionary measure to keep her as healthy as possible. Right. And then picking up the slack for both of them. They were both out in the same match, which we'll talk about a little bit. But then who came in? Cressy. Cressy. And then the ⁓ I was like, she's Italian, right? Right. I think so. I don't remember what she is, but I And I didn't see that they didn't hire anybody this week, right? Mm-hmm. Right. Nope. And finishing up on the injuries, Hannah Maddux still out. Don't know much about her, but we did see Brittany Abercrombie. Did you watch that match? I ⁓ watched like the recap of that one. OK. She came in spotty. She play the whole, yeah. She didn't play it. I think she only had like three points. ⁓ She do much. They didn't set her a whole lot. But the good thing was that she was actually in the match. Did they do that because Shemei was not performing well or did they want Brittany to get, get. Probably yes and yes, but they were taught. The announcers were talking like Brittany wasn't quite ready yet. So that was, I'm assuming that's the match that upset them. I think Orlando is having some struggles right now. Obviously they're still in the hunt. They are still top four. So they are having some challenges. We'll get into the all-star picks in a little bit and I got some questions about some of these picks as well. before we do that, there are some new hires. Indy did not hire anybody that I know of. No. Okay. It's just ⁓ newest hire is for Orlando. Okay. And it's an opposite. So I'm very curious. You know her? Zoe? I do not personally know her. Wetherington? Yeah. So she started ⁓ college career at Utah and then she transferred to Penn State. Okay. I she graduated maybe in 24. Oh, she's young. Yeah. Okay. She's not a rookie, but she's still young and she went and played. I know she's played in Korea and in Greece. Okay. So I am just like, this is another big question mark. Like they hired an opposite where Sheme has been picking up the slack from, for Brittany because of the injury. She's been playing great in my opinion. I think she's had some really high moments and she hasn't let herself get down in any low, low moments. So I thought that she stepped in and she's done a great job. When did they hire Zoe? you know? don't know the Was it this week? Yes, it was Maybe it was after this last match when maybe they figured out Brittany's not quite ready yet. Yeah, I'd have look up the date ⁓ exactly. Maybe that's the logic behind that after seeing her come in and able to really. So does that mean Brittany, we're not going to see Brittany at all the rest of I wouldn't say that. say you might see her in a week or two or you might see her this week. mean. So then what? Zoe's just a temporary contract? Could be. I think that's crazy. I don't think ⁓ what's going to happen. OK. So why don't you tell us what you think is going to happen? wonder if Britney's even gonna come back. Yeah, she was on the road to coming back. I think she just came in a little premature based on the way the match was going. I think they seen that perhaps and slow rolled her. Zoe hired yesterday. Okay. That's the thing that makes sense to me. So the way, So just so I'm clear, ⁓ you think Zoe going to be a temporary hire? because I think they're going to slower roll Brittany back into the lineup after seeing, I think they put her in a little premature after this last match. I watched the match. I watched her play. It wasn't good. it was. Sorry, it's not funny. It's not funny, but. It too soon to me. Okay. Yeah. She's not playing in the All-Star match, is she? Because she's. I forget, did she even make it? No. Yeah, okay. Just wanted to make sure. I was not anticipating her to make it, but... So anyway, back to Zoe, seems like she did really well in Korea, so I'd be... Is that a good league? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So I'm really... I'm awaiting to see what she can bring to the MLB. Okay. So that was an interesting hire for you. I was interested by the hire of Maggie Men... Mendelson. Yeah. Mendelson. Yeah. Who was at Nebraska. ⁓ huh. Played basketball and volleyball, then transferred to Penn State. Just played volleyball there, right? I don't know. think she did. Incredible though to I think of the time management. Yeah. ⁓ a student athlete. As a student athlete, you're in season the entire school year. That's, that's got to be tough. So what's your take on the vibe bringing her in for the second half? Temporary hire or? they're down. No, I don't think it's temporary because they have two middles that are injured. Who are those? ⁓ Corey Lewis ⁓ Raven ⁓ ⁓ So I don't, I think she's gonna, yeah, I think she's going to see the floor even. So I wonder what she's been doing. She ⁓ just at Penn State. She was ⁓ finishing her Masters. Okay interesting hire. I mean bringing somebody straight out of college No, I think she's still currently in school may or not may or may not have been playing sure she's been active like working out but I mean She's a great player. She's got a what she has to stay ready. So she don't have to get ready ⁓ because the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity you're right ⁓ Star week is among us. Finally, been talking about it for a while. Looking forward to the match on Saturday, March 28th. ⁓ Is Saturday? Saturday and it's on CBS and Paramount, is I think that's the ⁓ big channel, right? It is. Yeah. ⁓ And just know from numbers last year, this was the the highest viewed stream that we've ever had. So is it on CBS Sports Network or CBS? It's CBS. Like big Paramount Plus, yes. The big dog. Well then let's go. Interesting match for them to show on, I'm thinking. Well that's because last year we had like 500,000 people watching Lives. So they weren't running back. Yeah. So it worked well and it was highly anticipated and it was highly viewed. of course we get to do it again. And then... Before we get into the rosters for the All-Star match, is it the best of five like it would be any other match? Dang, that's a good question. I don't know. Has to be. It has to be. Right. I would think that it has to be. And then what's on the line? nothing. You get, you know, a star on your resume, in my opinion. A trip to Orlando. A trip to Orlando. Sunny Orlando, Florida. get some sunshine. Maybe ⁓ you get a nice jersey and maybe like a free duffel bag. I'm not really sure, but you get no further compensation for this. Okay, great. Maybe it's not about the players. Maybe it's about promoting MLV on a national platform, CBS. I think that is the ⁓ reason for the All-Star game. And so from a business side of things, I can totally understand the value of it. I can understand the importance of it ⁓ because if You know, at the end of the day, I want to walk how I talk. Well, I'm talking like, this is the MLB. This is the next. This is the best thing. Like this is so great for us. And, you know, I want this to continue on for the next 50 years plus like, then I have to ⁓ that the all like agree with the all star purpose as player though, ⁓ it me a little bit. Just, I think, you know, this is such a tough part of season. People are getting injured left and right like we're seeing and they're tired. And so I just don't like the extra load that these players have to go through because of this. I wonder, I'm feeling that way. I am positive they are feeling that way. And so I wonder if the level of the match might not be as good because they're going to be hesitant. ⁓ I zero concern about this. I got, we got the top players in the league playing on a, on CBS. hope I'm wrong. Literally. I do hope that I'm I ⁓ that they play. This is their opportunity to represent themselves, their franchise, the league on a national stage. Yes. ⁓ am totally, I got no doubt. And these girls are so competitive. Just like you would be if you were chosen for this. Okay, but doc think about it. means nothing like what's on the line though is ⁓ a dollars in a championship. That's more important to them right now. Okay. You know what I mean? I'm just playing devil's advocate here. I'm seeing that you're saying and I agree with it. I just also know there's another very real side. Can we get a player on here? That made the All-Star team before the All-Star match and we can ask them. Well, the All-Star matches this week. Exactly. mean, I'm sure I could. We dropped the ball on that because we talked about doing that from getting their perspective. We'll think about that, if we can pull it off or not. Okay. Nonetheless. Maybe I'll ask a Supernova. Supernova, we got somebody coming in town this week? No, we don't. No, they play away tomorrow on Wednesday, but maybe Thursday or Friday when they... Okay. They're back. I wanted to see how the rosters break up before we get into the roster. There are seven middle blockers, six outsides, four opposites, setters and four liberos. Among those... Indy has five representatives. Dallas has four. Omaha has two. has five. I think that's the most shocking one, but continue. Okay. Atlanta has two. Mojo have three. Grand Rapids have two. And then Columbus has three. So my question is, how can some of the worst teams, how can Columbus have three All-Stars and yet they're eighth in the league? What role, what value did the fan vote have on picking, choosing these all-stars? Okay. So maybe Columbus is the eighth team in the league, but they have Reagan Pittman, who's the leading blocker the league. So that makes sense. Then you also have Raina Terry, who is also outstanding in her position. You I think overall this in the league, the opposite position is maybe where- ⁓ Is she opposite? Raina Terry? She is for the All-Star. she is? Okay. Yeah. And so I think the opposite position is where a little bit where we're lacking like dominance. Maybe people agree or disagree with me on that. But I just think like the fantasy league, like when I go to pick my opposite, I just feel like there's not very many people to select from. anyway, so that's ⁓ we we have those numbers, but what's interesting to me is Orlando has five. is the fan vote, how influential was the fan vote or what value did it bring to choosing these rosters? So I think that... ⁓ I think that there had to have been some type of committee that picks, no, sorry, not, let me rephrase that. I think that they analyze and compare statistics. there's that part. ⁓ there's the fan vote. I when there's... a too close to call situation in the statistic realm, they're going to then look at the fan vote and be like, and that's going to be the deciding factor. That's my guess. Okay. And we have the two teams with the two coaches we've already talked about. I don't know how they divvied up the teams. Do you have any idea on that? think, okay, so it reminds me of like our Sunday bet, our Sunday volleyball. Sorry, now we were renamed to the holiday V-ball crew. You know, everyone's always like, Gina, what are teams? What are teams? Every time make a team, I always start with setters. So ⁓ ⁓ and separate the best setters in our situation. It's only me and you. We got two to choose from. Yes. But in this... that's where I would start. So like having Mia and Nati on the same team just would not make sense to me at all. So that's where I, it's just like, they probably did that type of mindset with every single position. So which team are you picking? I even looked at it from that angle yet, but I will. So originally I only was going to, ⁓ I going with team Laureen. Is how you say it? Sure. because of Mia. I was like, I trust Mia. She's going to run that show. ⁓ then ⁓ team Meskie, then you have Nazi. Right. And I'm like, dang it. I don't know what am to do. But I think ⁓ now ⁓ do my final answer. And because there's no value in winning, there's no incentive to win. mean, probably Nazi is going to play the first set. Maybe they'll alternate. Oh yeah, I'm sure that's not going to be all one setter or the other or all the positions will be plugging and playing the whole match. I guarantee you everyone is going to play like I'm sure that's a requirement. I'm sure those coaches were informed. Hey, this is the All-Star match. Every single person has to play. Excuse me. Get your lineups ready. But my, my next thought in question would be okay. If I'm Dan Meske, for example, Am I starting with who I think the best seven are? Absolutely. Yeah. question. Okay. Well. Why wouldn't you? Cause you want to get off to a fast start. Well, I don't know. Do you not want to win? It's a gamble because then it's like, okay, what if, what if the other team is starting with their best seven? want, what if I want to end with my best seven? I don't know. It's just like fun things to think about. when you've played in things like these exhibition matches, where don't have a lot of time to prepare, work with your setter, work with your hitters, work with your whatever's your coach. What was my question going to be? So do you have a practice or two or some time together? I guarantee you there is ⁓ practice. Is the practice going to decide who gets to start? I bet it's just a serve and pass and that's it. Okay. So it ain't about that. Ain't about what? There's nothing on the line. It's simply an exhibition match. Yes. If I haven't made that clear yet. That is unfortunate. But again, you got to think of it from the entertainment side and the marketing side. This is a good thing for the MLV and we have to be reminded of that, that this is good. It is good for the MLV. It's a sacrifice to the players and the teams in my opinion, but it is good for the overall league. But it better be good volleyball and it better be entertaining volleyball. Yeah, I agree. So in order to get that out of your players, think there needs to, I don't know, there needs to be something. But doc, we're like, we're as simple as I can say, we're professionals. So we shouldn't need multiple practices with somebody in order to play. You guys talk about that all the time. I'm staying after practice. We just practice for four hours. I'm staying and getting some middle sets off of my setter. Yeah, but that's off of my setter. And we just we just did that for four hours. Yeah, that's I'm not buying it. because ⁓ maybe like working individually on something that you want to improve or change. And when we're just going to show up for a match, ⁓ you just rely on your image. That's the whole problem with the NBA All-Star stuff. It's been non entertaining because it's bad. Yeah, so they don't care. Yeah. So they've tried. several different avenues, ways to make it more entertaining to the public. They've done a variety of different ways to get the players to, you know, perform care more about it, perform at their best and actually put together an entertaining product for the All-Star match. So it hasn't worked. They've tried a bunch of different things. So the jury's still out. Okay. Let's talk about the teams. Okay. So team Laureen, I got to put this. up closer to me. Small print. Our opposites. We have Azani Teeler and Iko Jones. great opposites. You could say that for everybody. The setters on this team are Mia and Shampoo. Probably two best. Keep going. The Liberos are Shada ⁓ and Hintz. Couple of the best. Well, yeah, we can say that for everybody. Then the outsides, have Mimi Collier, PBR, Brooke Nunneviller. Okay. And that's it. Okay. That's kind of surprising. There's only three. No, there's six total three on each team. Well, yeah. I'm... Duh. Do the math. I knew that. Okay, so for middles, then we have Regan Pittman-Nelson, Lydia Martin, who is no longer playing because of injury. Are you sure about that? She won't be ready? OK. Yeah, I'm positive. So I don't know who is replacing her on this team, but the replacements for Lydia ⁓ for Brooke Moeller, because both were on the All-Star, are Natalie Foster and Abby Walker. ⁓ the last middle blocker is Kaz Brown. OK. let that sink in because now I'm going to say the other team. And then it's like, who's going to win? So for team Mesky, I started with the opposite. So I have Emily Londot and Raina Terry. Then for the setters, have Natalia Valentin and we have Marley. Then for LeBarrows, we have Pusick with the black shoes and then Elena Scott. Then the outsides are going to be Leah Edmond. Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Charity Looper, which I'm surprised that Charity made it with her injury being out. save that. Sorry, my bad. Then have the middle blockers ⁓ of Van and then Blake Muller. But again, I don't know if it's Natalie or if it's Abby Walker and then Maren Grote. So I know who I'm picking. For what? team I think is going to the match? Yeah, the top one, right? You're going team Larene? Yeah. I think I'm switching to Dan Meske. What made you switch your mind? I although I originally wanted to go with Mia, I think I think I'm to Nazi with everyone overall. Okay, to your point, what experience, what AU experience, what value does some of the players that have played in AU previously, because this is a similar type of deal. is, that's a great example of like why we don't necessarily need a full week of practice with everybody because half these players played in AU, they're familiar with this, they're used to this type of You know, in AU they change rosters every single week. So you have to quickly adapt and adjust to the players around you. So with that in the back of your mind that the AU players are probably going to be better at adjusting to a match like don't know if I could confidently say that they're better. I mean, you never know. You're still rocking with Team Mesquite. Not trying to make this about me, but I feel like I could hop in with anybody right now and be like, yeah, let's roll. Well, why didn't you hop in that Husker scrimmage? And ball out. you ball out? They played me a libero. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. What? ⁓ you asking me here? ⁓ did you get bumped a libero? They needed me to pass. Okay. So I'm a team player. I will do what I'm asked. Okay. So to be clear, ⁓ rocking with team Mesquite. I'm rocking with team Laurene. But of the day, it's going to be good. It's very evenly spread out in my opinion and I who know it's a coin toss. I want to know. Well, what's our over under on watch views on CBS? under a million. What's the threshold? Well, we have the numbers just for live. So million people watching live, ⁓ I it. No. Yes. What was it last year? I think it was in the upper 400,000. Oh, OK. Watching live. What would be a good number? I'm going to hope 500,000. OK. Yeah. That's a good number. a million. OK. Watching it live on CBS on Saturday. I think just obviously with a whole nother year, it's gained more fans and more support and more attention. So I'm hoping, I mean, even above slightly above 500 would be. That'd be awesome. I think that's doable. Right. of those 500,000 viewers, how many of those viewers will be love volleyball players watching the competition in the MLV? If they're not playing in their own match, I bet you they are watching. I'm sure they are. I bet you they will be. Because they all play together in Athletes Unlimited and they all. Or a national team even. Yeah. they're going to be curious. mean, everybody's curious. Everybody wants to see. what someone else is doing. Well, I'm looking forward to the match. I just wondered before we move on, were there any surprises to you in terms of you looked at the roster and seeing who was on it and you said, think for me, Charity Looper does stick out. I'm just like, please, I'm not saying she's a bad player. I'm not saying she's deserving. ⁓ just don't ⁓ if she, ⁓ in my ⁓ opinion, ⁓ wouldn't say that she qualified this year because of her. She's been out. To me, she hasn't been putting up like super crazy, impressive numbers like Mimi and Sophia, for example. yeah, that one just kind of surprised me. OK, surprising for me was Abby Walker. Help me understand that. Well, keep in mind, she is a replacement, so she was a substitute. Who else would you have picked because a lot of middles are injured right now? Maybe. mean, how about a Kiara How about Phoebe? I guess she doesn't have a lot of reps either or well she missed Phoebe wasn't a starter for a while. That's correct. But I mean Abby's been a starter since day one. Okay, so She does have the most numbers in my opinion even over Kiara Kiara didn't start in the beginning Abby started since day one. Okay. Were you surprised with Lon dot? You said worse the league Overall is short on in terms of. I would say that I am a little bit surprised on Emily. However, she just had an outstanding performance this last week. again, like her and Merritt kind of were battling in the beginning for the starting position. And, you know, she hasn't always like been super consistent. And so she does kind of surprise me. But to your point that you started to make is there's not a whole lot of opposites this year. feel like to choose from. But I do think she's peaking at the right time and she peaked offensively and defensively. And defensively, yes. She had 15 digs this last match. Good for her. a three setter. So. Shout out Emily Londot. You're in there. Yeah, Bomb Dot. Anybody you feel looking through this list of rosters that you feel got the all-star snub? What? That's funny. mean, who comes to your mind? Because I know I know who came to my mind first. Well, I think we thought of the same person and I know you seen mine and then you thought of it. Well, what's wrong with that? OK, it's cheater cheater. Punk eater. I don't know. ⁓ So think we're both about Sydney Hilly. Yeah. And it's just like, she was, you know, center of the year last year. PBF champion, center of the year. The final four MVP in year one. But I can't ⁓ disagree with this decision. ⁓ think that she's been in the top one or two in assists. Back to our original conversation. All consistently is your main concern. ⁓ they been consistently performing? She's been in the top one or two in assists all year long. I just don't think that we're seeing the Sydney Hilly that we have the last two seasons. Okay. And that's okay because maybe like Emily, like we just need her and everyone to be hot at the right moments. hopeful and I'm not, I think that Sydney has it in her and I think that we will see it. I just don't. You know, I just think of Nazi and Mia and just like their passion and their drive, even Marley. And I just don't think we see that from Sydney as much this year. She seems a little bit more like robotic. And I know it's because like the team's just going through it and that's great. Like we talked about how that only strengthens and builds. so yeah, I think that we'll see it later on. In conclusion, as it relates to the All-Star match, ⁓ you feel like This roster of both team represents the best players in the MLV up to this point accurately in their position. I think I would say yes, I think that the MLV committee and you know, whoever the fans I think that they know what they're doing. I think that they've been watching all season long just like we have and I think that the right people were were selected overall. moving on. Let's get into week 11 recap. Just a handful of games this week. The first one was on Wednesday, we got some interesting scheduling coming up because of the All-Star looks like games are starting earlier this week. Yeah, tonight. It's Tuesday. Okay. First games tonight. Last week one started on Wednesday and it was Dallas beat Grand Rapids in four. Yeah, this is we won't we'll cut it short a little bit on the volleyball talk today but ⁓ on the actual matches but this one was really interesting for me for Dallas because when I was looking at the stat sheet I actually thought this was a mistake but 26 points for Sophia and 28 for Mimi in four sets. But what is more interesting is when I went to look at the attempts on swings, Nati anyone else on the team, mostly it was middles, 28 times, 28 opportunities. She set and Mimi 116 times. When the stove's hot, that's when you're cooking. crazy. That is so crazy, but it says two things. A couple things actually. credit to Sophia and Mimi because they were getting all those opportunities and scoring. you while the stove's hot, Nazi was feeding them, they were cooking. On the flip side, I'm like, dang, if they are getting set that many times, how did Grand Rapids not close them down? makes the offense so much easier when considering, or sorry, the defense so much easier when you're blocking. like, well, I know the ball's going to the pin. So I'm like, how did they, it should have made defense easier for them. But again, credit to Sophia and Mimi. They found ways to score no matter what. So that was just like, whoa. Are you concerned about the load management as we get into the second half of the season for the Dallas outsides? I am curious. I said this before. I just wonder how Mimi and Sophia are going to finish. Especially because they're rookies, but especially because of the amount of attempts and jumps and swings that they've been playing all year round. They didn't take a break. No, they've never been subbed out pretty much. No, I'm talking about they went straight from college. yeah, they're rookies. Yeah, exactly. The MLB without a break. ⁓ That's why I'm just like, man, I need them to hold out just a little bit longer, but I am a little bit nervous. So in the back of Coach Windsor's mind, you think ⁓ stirring a little bit. How do I manage this? Where do I mean? They're pretty much in second place. think she's only thinking that if Mimi and Sophia are showing signs of like wear and tear. I haven't seen it of you. No. No. And they're rookies. So they're young. They're young. Hopefully they'll hold up to the end. Yes. Grand Rapids. No one really was efficient. PBR with 19 points and Alyssa Jensen middle, but. She did really good. feel like I remember seeing she did, ⁓ she a lot of, ⁓ fantasy points this week. Okay. But. You know, I'm a little bit disappointed in Elizabeth Inna. always feel bad when I say something like that. I'm wondering if that injury ⁓ just more than just physical. What was her injury? I don't remember it was, but remember she was out for a little bit. And I say, I wonder if it did a little bit more than physical because in my experience, sometimes when you get injured, you come back, you're like hesitant, it doesn't let you play as as you can. And so I'm just wondering if that's the case for her because I just don't think that we've seen her at her best yet. Even in the I mean, she had some strong moments, but I just think that there's more to her. And I just don't that we've seen that. Morgan Hansel led with 23 digs. I did want to mention Cameron Turner. We got to see her live in Omaha. She said, who was the setter before her? Sage. Yes. So now is Cameron's pretty much setting every match. ⁓ want to talk about from a defensive perspective because she's an offensively capable minded attacker, ⁓ ⁓ We'll talk about this a little bit later, but the Supernova's kind of held her in check a little bit as far as her attack goes. from a defensive point of view, how does when the setter is so offensively minded, how does the defense prepare for that? Whose job is it to sit on her and make sure she cannot lefty kill that? first and foremost the blocker. Okay, middle blocker? Yep. Well, typically it's the middle, yes, but there's maybe a situation where the ball gets passed to the pins. Who knows? She's only killing from when it's a perfect pass though, Yeah. So that's the middle blocker, but it's also the defense, the libero or whoever is in position one. Knowing that she's left-handed setter. Yep. Or swinger. She's left-handed and she has consistencies. to go to zone one. So first and foremost, middle blocker second, I would say is position one, who's ever in that back row. you necessarily expect or... Anticipate? Yeah, you don't expect the middle blocker to block her. They just need to get a touch. That's all in that situation. Obviously, if if she's going back with both arms and it's so obvious. I mean, she's jump setting that she's doing that jump set that we've been talking about since she's been playing that it can be a little bit. Is she setting or is she hitting? Yeah, the middle needs to be ready on that. I thought the supernovas did a pretty good job of defending that. They did. They might even blocked it a time or two. At least they got touches on it. They did good. So anyway, blocker needs to just be ready, just be on their toes light and ready and their hands high because they don't need to jump and block it. They just need to touch it and push it upwards. But how does that impact? Because they also got to cover the pins. Yeah, that's why middle blocking is the hardest position in volleyball, in my opinion. Here we go back to square one. Let's move right along to Thursday, Orlando versus Atlanta. We both picked Orlando. Atlanta swept. Yeah, so this was the upset that I don't think we were anticipating. And this is the game where I'm just like, I think there's something going on with Orlando. And I've felt that now for a week or two, but I'm just like, I don't know if Orlando is going to have a great finish. I could be wrong, but I just feel like they just got a feeling. Okay. Just got a feeling. Well, they still don't have all their pieces back. Yeah. They still don't. You're also off key. I've never claimed to be a good singer. But this was the match where Brittany came back for a couple. Yeah, and didn't. an appearance. looked like she struggled a little bit. there you go. Natalie Foster led with 15 points. They're calling her the ace queen. looks like. She the All-Star roster partially because of her. Whatever team she's on might win. one is she on? Hold on. We don't know. don't know. ⁓ When looked in the, actually maybe we do know, but. When I was reading the article earlier this week, didn't, maybe I bros, maybe I breezed through it too fast. I didn't see which team they were on. Okay. But Atlanta hit 368 as a team. They were led by Leah and Iko Jones. Yeah, so this is the match where Avery, Iko and Leah all earned their first, second and third positions in the fantasy league. So they were hot. When you're 368 as a team. That's pretty good. That's pretty good for you and pretty bad for the defense, right? Yes. Moving on. Go ahead. go ahead. Columbus versus Indy. We both picked Indy. No brainer. Indy wins in four. But I was surprised that it went four. Now me too, but Indy didn't play great. Yeah. Columbus, again, I will say that Columbus is not a team to sleep on. I do think that they fight. I think that they fight. They're going to go as far as Raina Terry is going to carry them on her shoulders. That's true. Period. Reyna is the reigning queen of that team. She leads them, then followed by, I would say the next most important is Regan with her blocking and her kills and her emotional leadership. then- Miss lush. Yes. Megan, lush, and also they're a libero, ⁓ hapow. Bless you. you. think that she, when she's doing well, I think the team feeds off that. Well, they're running out of time. Yeah. ⁓ ⁓ But Indy only ⁓ 138 as a team. I know. They not do too good, but good enough get the ⁓ dub. Right. I can't speak. That's the main thing. Find a way to get a win even when you're not at your best. Yep. Yep, yep. Friday Grand Rapids versus Omaha. both picked Omaha. Woo woo. And we got it. Omaha sweeps Grand Rapids. Yeah. What did you think about that match? I think it was great for Omaha. don't think it a combination of Omaha playing good and Grand Rapids not playing good. Yeah. I didn't think Grand Rapids played at their best. looks like she struggled. I've never seen her be subbed out before. shut her down. What was that about? she couldn't score. wasn't doing anything, which is really uncharacteristic like but I don't know, maybe I think that was the first time Grand Rapids came to Omaha this season. So maybe she was nervous to be back in her OG team. I don't know. got the Omaha served really well. You noticed that? What does that mean? Yeah. They they because where I sit, I'm on the media table on the end court. So I have like the best perspective. the best view of their serves. And Omaha, each and every one of those players was like firing great, hard-driven float serves. Without errors? Yeah. I didn't even check how many errors we had, I think we had a couple, but not nearly as much as we have or others have had in the year, but they served really well. So they kept Grand Rapids out of system a lot, but Cam Turner really impressed me. this match. what way? Because I've been, I've been. You have and I wasn't seeing it the way you were seeing it, but this match I saw it. Okay. You talked about the blocks as well. And then I looked and she only had one block. You talking about block touches? Yeah. Like. For his short, for his. People don't hit over her. Okay. You know what I mean? I think she's athletic. She is super athletic, can jump so high. She's only five eight. Okay. And she's, she's blocking people left and right. we've talked about this, but how she is such an offensive setter ⁓ up there, whether it's the slam dunk or the two shoe or a left-handed kill, she's, she's doing it all. she's good at defense. The only thing is, ⁓ I noticed sometimes she struggles setting backwards. I noticed like, I think that might be her weakest set. was the opposite that they were trying? She was trying to get her going the whole match, especially the first set. Please stop setting the opposite. It's not working. She up hitting negative on like 20 some attempts. It was Anna and then she got subbed out for the Spaniard. I can't think of her name. Okay. Yeah, it's like three different names. I can't think of it. You thought that was because of the setting. I thought it was because more of the hitting. I it's a combination because how can Elizabeth Anna, sorry, Elizabeth. I thought she had some good looks. I would say some, yeah, but there were other some sets that I was like, ooh, she couldn't really do anything with that one. But regardless, I saw Cameron Turner in a different light this match. I was very impressed with her. At a whole, they only hit 123. After dropping, the first set was extremely competitive. And it was downhill. was 27, 29 set one. Then it was downhill. It was easy breezy from there. 17, 17, and set two and three. kind of a downer match. was hoping for more of a fight, but Paige didn't seem like she could get anything going whatsoever. She did it. Which was unfortunate. I was looking for a dog fight for a scrap. You know, I ain't going to be mad about getting home earlier that night. Oh, got to, you didn't get home too early because you got to interview Emily Laundotte, the player of the match. Yes. She had a great match. was, I think it was 17 kills, hit over 400, had 15 digs. 18 points. know who else had an awesome match? Elena Oglovie. She set a franchise record for digs that match. Okay. think it was 20, 23 ⁓ in a three set match. That of flew under the radar, didn't it? It's tough because she didn't the player of the match, but she also that franchise record. was in the media. Okay. We announced that. just because obviously she deserves the credit. she's an athletic libero. She to me looks so tall. I feel like we're the same height. And strong. She does look strong. Yeah. And athletics. Saturday's one match on Saturday. We had nothing on Sunday. San Diego versus Dallas. Dallas wins in four. San Diego hit 168 as a team. ⁓ And this is where Kayleigh Cox, I think she was the player of the match, had 18 points. When she's going in the opposite, I really think she's adds another dimension to their capability, helping Thunder and Lightning, Mimi and Sophia. When she's in the opposite contributing, I think they're going to be tough to stop down the stretch. So hopefully Nati going to her as well. And then ⁓ the Van Buskirk and Savage in the middle are good for her as well. I wonder if Kaitlyn Horta is going to come back. ⁓ I haven't her on the bench. I wonder if she's feeling healthy yet or not. doesn't matter. they're playing well without her. I was gonna say, not that they don't need need her, but they're doing fine. Yep. You know what I mean? Moving right along to the Rookie of the Week. Rookie of the Week aka Sophia or Mimi this week. I don't know. It's a toss up. Yeah, I was gonna say it's hard to pick. Let's go right to the hip, the high impact performer. Okay. You want to go? No, you. Okay. I Maybe it's lame because this is also who the MLB chose this week. saw it I chose, but we both are going with Emily Landa. Really? Yeah. Yeah. I agree with that. She, she played amazing. Like we don't really necessarily see that every single match, but this match, you know, when I interviewed her and asked her like, what was going well or whatever, I don't exactly remember. The first thing she said was see ball, get ball. Keep it simple. That's what she said. I was like, all right, moving on. Was she referencing offensively or defensively? Offensively. Because she also- both, both. Because that's what I said. was like, you were an offensive force with 17 kills, hit over 400, and a defensive force with 15 digs. What was working for you? And she just said, see ball, get ball. See ball, get ball. I love that answer. Bombed out the backstop on defense. They were hitting to her and she was digging. She was digging well. Low key impressive player, the lip for the week. got. I'm actually going with Cameron Turner this week. So you're finally on board. did see her in a different light. was like, you know, that wasn't nowhere near her best performance and you're still rocking with her. Yeah. think because seeing someone live is just a lot different than on TV. Right. It's like, ⁓ you just see a lot more of their personality and just a lot more. And for me, the lip of the week is Kaylee Cox on the opposite for Dallas. I like getting her going on that side to help Sophia and Mimi. I think that's a great pick. I think Kaylee Cox has been underrated from the get go. Flying under the radar. is flying under the radar, but shouldn't be. Remember like way back in the beginning, she got subbed in for, I don't know if it was Sophia or Mimi, but she came in and then she like was player of the game and had like... buzzed off for like two months. No, then she's just opposite now. Yeah, she got bumped. I think that... She ain't a player to sleep on, that's for sure. Do we want to talk about a match of the week? I would just pick Atlanta sweeping Orlando. Just the shocker of it? Yes, shock factor. I'll get with that too. League standings after week one. Nothing changed, you said. changed, yep. It's all the same this week. So we're talking, think we're Omaha is kind of solidifying itself in the third position. Would you agree? is that still shaky? No, I would say it's still shaky. Okay. Cause all like two or sorry, three, four or five, I think maybe even six, those records are all pretty close. It's neck and neck. To me, Omaha is the third best team. Well, I would agree with that. And I think they're going to ride that out. I think, I think. I don't want to jinx it, but I think we will make the final four. we'll leave it at that. So no other changes. Columbus at eighth still Grand Rapids 7, San Diego 6. Week 12 preview. How many matches we got? One, two, three, four. Yeah, because it's all-star week. a few in the All-Star match. On Tuesday, which is today. Hey, it's game day. It's match day. excited. Orlando versus Columbus. It's on YouTube. GMP picks. man. Orlando's on a slide. I'm with Columbus. I going to Columbus this week. think I'm picking Columbus because ⁓ it's Columbus. think I just got this feeling that Orlando's not doing too hot right now. I'm going with Columbus. This ⁓ is to be the match that they're going to take. I feel like Orlando was in flux. feel like Columbus is pretty. I think that's a good way to describe it. Right. They're in flux yet. Hopefully by the end of the season, they'll get it together. I think they're in. Hopefully not. That's good for us. Wednesday. Tomorrow we have two matches. Indy versus Grand Rapids. GMP picks and so do I. Sweep no? I got no sweep. It took a very long second to process what you just said. Sweep or no? You said sweep or no? And I was like, what? ⁓ I in for me. I'm going to say four. versus San Diego on Wednesday. is where the traditionally the supernovas go to die. Yes. Historically, ⁓ do not have a winning record when we go to San Diego. There's like 250 fans and that they still have the big. Yeah, it's like a giant bowl. Right. And there's anybody there. 500 people there maybe. And this is on a Wednesday. So it might even be worse. I ⁓ beat San Diego in three, but then we beat them in five and we lost to them in five. Then we're going to be at San Diego playing at 9 p.m. on their bodies. a little bit shaky pizza. I mojo. I go mojo. Okay, I'm Omaha because I want Omaha to win and I think that they can do it. Okay. It's just they got a lot going against them right now. One match on Thursday, Atlanta versus Dallas and we both pick Dallas for that one. Okay. To me that's a no-brainer. Yeah, I agree. Okay. And then that takes us to the All-Star match that we already did. That's where, when is that? ⁓ AM. is sus. I don't know why they would choose 11 AM. Madness. ⁓ that's definitely got to be it. ⁓ And we're on a major broadcast channel. Like it's got to be it. Yup. I bet you're right. Good for them though. You're right. You're the one who said it. Good for them. It's in, so that's 11 AM. Is that central time? Yeah. Okay. Great. We both are. got team Laurene and you got team Mesquite on that one. So that's a coin toss though. Thanks again for joining us on the Major League Minute. Please like, share and to our YouTube channel, Major League Minute podcast and then follow us on Instagram and TikTok and we'll see you next week. Bye guys. ⁓ we never talked about my thing. That's it's just a talk. It's a we'll see if we get any comments. All we'll leave it for next week.