[johnbar]

2026 schedule:
https://gostanford.com/sports/beach-volleyball/schedule

Not sure I learned anything from the Stanford part of MPSF Meida Day.  Maybe that they seem to have a great culture, and the 22 teammates are all friends.

Oh, and Belardi & Bell will be playing in an FIVB even this week.  A "Futures" event in New Zealand.

[johnbar]

2026 schedule:
https://gostanford.com/sports/beach-volleyball/schedule

Not sure I learned anything from the Stanford part of MPSF Meida Day.  Maybe that they seem to have a great culture, and the 22 teammates are all friends.

Oh, and Belardi & Bell will be playing in an FIVB even this week.  A "Futures" event in New Zealand.

[paloalto]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

[paloalto]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

[M T]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

Don't forget that the athletes on women's teams balance out the athletes on men's teams.
Beach Volleyball has a limit of 19 players plus designated players.

The real oddity in terms of player count, at least on the face of it, is 55 participants in Acrobatics & Tumbling (an increase by 40 over previous scholarship limits).  Why, next year, this sport will even have a NCAA championship.  (NACTA, the current governing body, limits teams to 28 participants on the game-time roster, with one event having a team of up to 24 participants. Currently 12 D-I schools, 29 D-II, 12 D-III)

[M T]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

Don't forget that the athletes on women's teams balance out the athletes on men's teams.
Beach Volleyball has a limit of 19 players plus designated players.

The real oddity in terms of player count, at least on the face of it, is 55 participants in Acrobatics & Tumbling (an increase by 40 over previous scholarship limits).  Why, next year, this sport will even have a NCAA championship.  (NACTA, the current governing body, limits teams to 28 participants on the game-time roster, with one event having a team of up to 24 participants. Currently 12 D-I schools, 29 D-II, 12 D-III)

[johnbar]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

Don't forget that the athletes on women's teams balance out the athletes on men's teams.
Beach Volleyball has a limit of 19 players plus designated players.

The real oddity in terms of player count, at least on the face of it, is 55 participants in Acrobatics & Tumbling (an increase by 40 over previous scholarship limits).  Why, next year, this sport will even have a NCAA championship.  (NACTA, the current governing body, limits teams to 28 participants on the game-time roster, with one event having a team of up to 24 participants.  Currently 12 D-I schools, 29 D-II, 12 D-III)

Note that last year the Stanford BVB roster had 24 players.  
And it's not just Stanford; Cal Poly has 28 on their roster for 2026, down from 32 (!!!) last year.

[johnbar]

I double checked the roster.  Sure enough 22 players.  How can the team carry 22 players? And why would the Beach VB do that? Some of those players will never see any meaningful playing time. 

I'm starting to believe some of these recruits are using beach vb as a way to circumvent the typical odds of getting admitted to Stanford.

Don't forget that the athletes on women's teams balance out the athletes on men's teams.
Beach Volleyball has a limit of 19 players plus designated players.

The real oddity in terms of player count, at least on the face of it, is 55 participants in Acrobatics & Tumbling (an increase by 40 over previous scholarship limits).  Why, next year, this sport will even have a NCAA championship.  (NACTA, the current governing body, limits teams to 28 participants on the game-time roster, with one event having a team of up to 24 participants.  Currently 12 D-I schools, 29 D-II, 12 D-III)

Note that last year the Stanford BVB roster had 24 players.  
And it's not just Stanford; Cal Poly has 28 on their roster for 2026, down from 32 (!!!) last year.

[johnbar]

It's already Thursday in New Zealand, where the FIVB "Futures" event is underway. Belardi & Bell, seeded 2nd in the qualifier, had a first round bye and won their second round match easily, defeating fellow Americans Bremel & Becker 21-14, 21-13.  Pool play tomorrow.

fivb.12ndr.at/tournament?tcode=WNZL2026

[johnbar]

It's already Thursday in New Zealand, where the FIVB "Futures" event is underway. Belardi & Bell, seeded 2nd in the qualifier, had a first round bye and won their second round match easily, defeating fellow Americans Bremel & Becker 21-14, 21-13.  Pool play tomorrow.

fivb.12ndr.at/tournament?tcode=WNZL2026

[johnbar]

Belardi & Bell won their first pool match, guaranteeing they will move on to the elimination rounds.  They have a second pool match later this afternoon (Friday in NZ); if they win that they will get a first-round bye.

Seeded #12 in the main draw, they were trailing in the first set 12-15, when they went on a five point run.  They had a set point at 21-20, but the Australian team (#5 seed, Mears & Philips) tied it.  Then B&B got two in a row to finish it.  Looks like the second set was easier, with B&B gradually building a lead.

They'll meet the #4 team, from Vanuatu shortly.

ETA:  B&B win 21-12, 21-19.  They'll be in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

[johnbar]

Belardi & Bell won their first pool match, guaranteeing they will move on to the elimination rounds.  They have a second pool match later this afternoon (Friday in NZ); if they win that they will get a first-round bye.

Seeded #12 in the main draw, they were trailing in the first set 12-15, when they went on a five point run.  They had a set point at 21-20, but the Australian team (#5 seed, Mears & Philips) tied it.  Then B&B got two in a row to finish it.  Looks like the second set was easier, with B&B gradually building a lead.

They'll meet the #4 team, from Vanuatu shortly.

ETA:  B&B win 21-12, 21-19.  They'll be in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

[johnbar]

Belardi & Bell won their quarterfinal easily, 21-12, 21-13.  Their semi is Sunday at 10:10am NZ time (I believe that is 1:10pm PST Saturday).  They will be meeting a New Zealand team that was seeded #1.  The medal matches are later the same day.

Schedule updated.  Should be streamed on youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@beachvolleyballworld

Not sure if it is free.

[johnbar]

Belardi & Bell won their quarterfinal easily, 21-12, 21-13.  Their semi is Sunday at 10:10am NZ time (I believe that is 1:10pm PST Saturday).  They will be meeting a New Zealand team that was seeded #1.  The medal matches are later the same day.

Schedule updated.  Should be streamed on youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@beachvolleyballworld

Not sure if it is free.

[johnbar]

A close match, but Belardi & Bell fall to the New Zealanders, 20-22, 21-18, 15-11.  The Kiwis had strong serving.

B&B built up an early lead in set 1 (14-9, and then 18-14), but the Kiwis came back to tie at 19.  B&B pulled out the win.
In set 2, the Americans again built a lead (13-9), but couldn't hold on to it.
The third set stayed closed (tied 7-7), but then the Kiwis got a two-point lead, and never trailed again.  There was one controversial call late (BHE, I guess) that went against USA.  The New Zealand team had a coach (not surprisingly), but the Americans were on their own.

The bronze medal match is scheduled for 2pm local time, 5pm PST (though they were running a little late).

[johnbar]

A close match, but Belardi & Bell fall to the New Zealanders, 20-22, 21-18, 15-11.  The Kiwis had strong serving.

B&B built up an early lead in set 1 (14-9, and then 18-14), but the Kiwis came back to tie at 19.  B&B pulled out the win.
In set 2, the Americans again built a lead (13-9), but couldn't hold on to it.
The third set stayed closed (tied 7-7), but then the Kiwis got a two-point lead, and never trailed again.  There was one controversial call late (BHE, I guess) that went against USA.  The New Zealand team had a coach (not surprisingly), but the Americans were on their own.

The bronze medal match is scheduled for 2pm local time, 5pm PST (though they were running a little late).

[johnbar]

Another three-set loss.  I missed the beginning of the match, but Belardi & Bell won the first set easily, 21-15.
The second set they fell behind and could never catch up, lost 16-21.
In the third, the Japanese team jumped out 3-0, and the Americans couldn't string points together, lost 11-15.

Not sure if the Japanese were better at making adjustments, or B&B got tired, or were trying too hard to force points.
Well, I hope they had a good time, and I'm sure it's valuable experience.

[johnbar]

Another three-set loss.  I missed the beginning of the match, but Belardi & Bell won the first set easily, 21-15.
The second set they fell behind and could never catch up, lost 16-21.
In the third, the Japanese team jumped out 3-0, and the Americans couldn't string points together, lost 11-15.

Not sure if the Japanese were better at making adjustments, or B&B got tired, or were trying too hard to force points.
Well, I hope they had a good time, and I'm sure it's valuable experience.

[johnbar]

Ruby Sorra and Avery Jackson were included in the first AVCA Player of the Year watch list.

Stanford release:
https://gostanford.com/news/2026/02/16/j...watch-list

AVCA release:
https://www.avca.org/award/2026-avca-nat...atch-list/

Pre-season coaches' poll should be out tomorrow.

[johnbar]

Ruby Sorra and Avery Jackson were included in the first AVCA Player of the Year watch list.

Stanford release:
https://gostanford.com/news/2026/02/16/j...watch-list

AVCA release:
https://www.avca.org/award/2026-avca-nat...atch-list/

Pre-season coaches' poll should be out tomorrow.

[johnbar]

AVCA Pre-season coaches poll:
https://www.avca.org/polls-awards/polls/...mens-beach

#1 UCLA  (12 firsts)
#2 Stanford (2 firsts)
#3 CalPoly  (2 firsts)
etc.

[johnbar]

AVCA Pre-season coaches poll:
https://www.avca.org/polls-awards/polls/...mens-beach

#1 UCLA  (12 firsts)
#2 Stanford (2 firsts)
#3 CalPoly  (2 firsts)
etc.

[johnbar]

First match starts in a few minutes.  Interesting line up; Belardi & Sorra at the 1s.

https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=651030

[johnbar]

First match starts in a few minutes.  Interesting line up; Belardi & Sorra at the 1s.

https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=651030

[paloalto]

There has to be some strategery going on here.  Belardi/Sorra lost in two sets.  

Stanford beat Cal 3-2 which has me nervous about them playing stronger teams this weekend.

[paloalto]

There has to be some strategery going on here.  Belardi/Sorra lost in two sets.  

Stanford beat Cal 3-2 which has me nervous about them playing stronger teams this weekend.

[BobK]

Stanford beat cal 3-2

[BobK]

Stanford beat cal 3-2

[johnbar]

There has to be some strategery going on here.  Belardi/Sorra lost in two sets.  

Stanford beat Cal 3-2 which has me nervous about them playing stronger teams this weekend.

Closer than I expected, too.  
Would not be surprised if there is a different line-up for USC, etc.
Whoops, I see the USC match is about to start, and the only change is Tusher swapping in at the 4s.

[johnbar]

There has to be some strategery going on here.  Belardi/Sorra lost in two sets.  

Stanford beat Cal 3-2 which has me nervous about them playing stronger teams this weekend.

Closer than I expected, too.  
Would not be surprised if there is a different line-up for USC, etc.
Whoops, I see the USC match is about to start, and the only change is Tusher swapping in at the 4s.

[JJJ]

The first was decided early (3-1). 
USC looks tougher.

[JJJ]

The first was decided early (3-1). 
USC looks tougher.

[johnbar]

USC wins, currently 3-1. Bell&Tusher in the third set.

ETA:  Bell & Tusher won at the 4s, making in USC 3-2.

The 3s (I.Clarke & Stowell) had a relatively easy time, 21-14, 21-18.

Jackson & Rockwell at the 2s lost in duece sets, 21-19, 28-26.

Coulda shoulda woulda.

Tomorrow it's Hawaii and the big match with #1 UCLA. (UCLA swept Texas 5-0).

ETA: Hawaii just beat UCLA 3-2. UCLA beat Texas 5-0.  Texas beat Hawaii 3-2.

[johnbar]

USC wins, currently 3-1. Bell&Tusher in the third set.

ETA:  Bell & Tusher won at the 4s, making in USC 3-2.

The 3s (I.Clarke & Stowell) had a relatively easy time, 21-14, 21-18.

Jackson & Rockwell at the 2s lost in duece sets, 21-19, 28-26.

Coulda shoulda woulda.

Tomorrow it's Hawaii and the big match with #1 UCLA. (UCLA swept Texas 5-0).

ETA: Hawaii just beat UCLA 3-2. UCLA beat Texas 5-0.  Texas beat Hawaii 3-2.

[johnbar]

Ruby Sorra is livestreaming her match on IG.

Stanford won the first set on all five courts (vs. Hawaii).
ETA:  Actually, first set still in progress on court 4, tied at 24.
OK, now they've won all five.

---

Stanford sweeps courts 2, 3 and 4.
1s are in the third set.
ETA:  Belardi & Sorra win the third, 15-10.
Fisher & Hoffman (5s) now in their third set.

[johnbar]

Ruby Sorra is livestreaming her match on IG.

Stanford won the first set on all five courts (vs. Hawaii).
ETA:  Actually, first set still in progress on court 4, tied at 24.
OK, now they've won all five.

---

Stanford sweeps courts 2, 3 and 4.
1s are in the third set.
ETA:  Belardi & Sorra win the third, 15-10.
Fisher & Hoffman (5s) now in their third set.

[johnbar]

Hawaii took court 5.

Stanford vs. UCLA well underway.  Cardinal won first set on 1, 2, and 5.
ETA: going to third set on courts 2 & 4.

UCLA got the first point at the 3s, but Stanford tied by taking the 5s.  Then Belardi & Sorra won 15-13 on a UCLA service error.
And then 2s clinched it for Stanford.
Bell & Tusher fell in the third 12-15, so the final is 3-2 over UCLA.

[johnbar]

Hawaii took court 5.

Stanford vs. UCLA well underway.  Cardinal won first set on 1, 2, and 5.
ETA: going to third set on courts 2 & 4.

UCLA got the first point at the 3s, but Stanford tied by taking the 5s.  Then Belardi & Sorra won 15-13 on a UCLA service error.
And then 2s clinched it for Stanford.
Bell & Tusher fell in the third 12-15, so the final is 3-2 over UCLA.

[paloalto]

Maybe Belardi and Sorra are playing as the #1 team because they are Stanford's best team.

[paloalto]

Maybe Belardi and Sorra are playing as the #1 team because they are Stanford's best team.