Bump Set Chat! The place to hear from your favorite volleyball personalities!

What is it like to start a division 1 NCAA volleyball program from scratch? Anders Nelson coach of Vanderbilt is in the midst of that right now! A rising star in the coaching profession and integral part of the first SEC volleyball program to win a national championship, Anders Nelson (pronounced ahn-ders) will usher in a new era of Vanderbilt volleyball as the reintroduced program’s first head coach, the university announced. In April 2022, Vanderbilt announced the addition of volleyball as its 17th varsity sport. The program was originally discontinued after the 1979-80 academic year. “It is a unique honor to join the Vanderbilt family as the first head volleyball coach of this new era,” Nelson said. “From the beginning of my lifelong relationship with volleyball, I learned to value not only the thrill of competition but the opportunity to influence how young people see themselves and the world around them. “Challenging and supporting student-athletes to be their best on the court unlocks their potential off the court. To build an SEC program on those principles, in a vibrant and dynamic city, at a world-class university like Vanderbilt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m grateful to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Candice Lee for entrusting it to me. There is so much to do before 2025, and I can’t wait to get started.” Most recently the associate head coach at the University of Kentucky, where he helped mentor student-athletes who won the 2020 NCAA Championship and recently extended a streak of winning at least a share of six consecutive SEC championships, Nelson will lead a Commodore program that begins play in the 2025-26 academic year.

Meet Berkeley, who plays for the Vegas Thrill.

Hear about her journey from playing college ball at Utah and then over seas in the pro legaues. Now she comes home to play in her backyard of Vegas! Oblad majored in graphic design at Utah. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Jody Oblad and has one brother and one sister. She was honored as the 2014 Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Coronado High School to its second consecutive state championship. Oblad owns a dog, a boxer named Blink, named after the band Blink-182. She mentions Ruben Herrera, a former club coach and current president of Vegas Thrill, as a mentor. In addition to volleyball, she played soccer and tennis and learned the piano while growing up. Her hobbies include reading, writing, photography, fashion, graphic design, sewing, hiking, pottery, painting, and exploring new places. She also runs a literary and art magazine with a friend called Quixotic. Other Professional Experience: Oblad made her professional debut with 1MCM Diamont Kaposvar in the Hungarian league in 2020. She played for Les Mariannes in France during the 2020-21 campaign and competed for TopSpeed in Taiwan in the 2021-22 season. In 2024, she joined the Vegas Thrill in the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation campaign, posting a .303 hitting percentage with 145 kills, along with 38 blocks and 48 digs.

Meet Jill Gillen, a Stilwell, Kansas native, is a highly skilled volleyball player that will be playing her second season with the Columbus Fury in the Pro Volleyball Federation. At the University of Arkansas, Jill was awarded several accolades including being selected to the SEC All-Selection team, SEC All-Freshman team, and Preseason All-SEC team, along with shattering program records. As a standout force on the court, Jill Gillen has become a beacon of inspiration as she stands at just 5’7” and has proved herself to be one of the best outside hitters in the PVF. Outside Hitter, 5’7 Hometown: Stilwell, Kansas Former Teams: University of Arkansas College Experience SEC All-Freshman Team selection Three-time AVCA All-South Region Team Selection Three-time All-SEC Team Selection High School/Club Experience A two-time conference champion at The Barstow School Gillen was named MVP, All-Conference, and All-District all four years in high school. Named Conference Player of the Year and selected to the All-Star Team her senior year.

Meet Tyler Ray, The Jump Guy,! He is a Jump Technique Specialist, former Professional Dunker, and the man behind the Art of Jumping. He dives into jumping as it relates to volleyball and and his journey as an athlete and trainer.

Tyler Ray aka. The Jump Guy is an esteemed professional with an extensive background in physical education and a specialization in dynamic movement, which includes the intricate art of jumping. With two decades of experience coaching athletes and students of all ages and a background as a professional dunker and track and field athlete with a 48-inch vertical, Tyler has honed his expertise in biomechanics, strength training, and kinetic performance. His innovative techniques and commitment to understanding the physics of human movement have helped countless individuals enhance their jumping abilities and overall athletic performance.

Fresh off of his 4th Olympics in Paris, a Bronze Medal in his pocket here is Team USA Matt Anderson's volleyball journey. From upstate NY, to @pennstate and now after many years with TEAM USA along with almost a decade of playing overseas here is Matt's journey Member of U.S. Men's National Team since 2008 Has been U.S. Men's leading scorer every season since 2011 Six-time USAV Male Indoor Player of the Year (2012-15, 2018-19) Moved from left-side hitter to opposite (right side) in 2013...started at opposite the majority of the time since Played for Russia's Zenit Kazan each winter from 2012-18...has jersey hung from the rafters of their arena Has also played professionally in Korea, Italy, China and Türkiye Left Penn State following junior season to play professionally with Korea's Hyundai Capital Skywalkers Led Penn State to NCAA Men's Championship in 2008; AVCA Co-Player of the Year Represented U.S. on Men's Junior National Team in 2006-07, U.S. Boys Youth National Team in 2005 Joined USAV pipeline in 2004