Adding to the Trophy Case: Kepner Wins Sixth Trophy at USAV Nationals
7/8/2026 10:45:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – For the second straight season, head coach Jason Kepner's team has won at the USAV Adult Nationals.
USAV Adult Nationals is a massive event held annually throughout the country that features different age divisions and levels of competition within each division.
Kepner started playing at Adult Nationals in 1995 while playing collegiately at Penn State. A torn achilles when he was 38 put a two year pause on playing before he appeared in the 40-and-over Olympics in São Paulo, Brazil, where he finished third. Rekindling his competitiveness as a player, he has competed at USAV annually since then.
A proven winner on the court as a coach and college player, Kepner has also added six titles to his trophy case courtesy of Adult Nationals. "We've won six times," said Kepner. "Every time they've had age brackets – when they've had enough teams – we have won." In the last 12 years, Kepner and his team have claimed the trophy four times in the 40s bracket and the last two years in the 50s.
Alongside him are members of other great men's volleyball programs from around the country, varying from San Diego, Hawaii, Long Beach State and Ball State. "It's a good group of guys that we've been able to keep together and go every year," said Kepner. "Some guys play on a more regular basis than I do, but overall, it's a fun, competitive group."
One of those teammates is four-time Olympian and a gold medalist of Beijing 2008, Lloy Ball.
"Lloy is a really great guy and still super competitive," said Kepner. "It's always good to still have that competitive spirit on the court when we're out there. Along with the other guys, having a 6'8" Olympic gold medalist on your team never hurts."
Being able to still compete is something Kepner cherishes, even if it's just once a year.
"It's fun to go back and play," stated Kepner. "Definitely a little taxing on the body jumping on concrete floors, but it's good to know I can still go out there and compete at a high level. Playing with the guys I play with is fun but still being able to play at the highest level in the 50s and third is really rewarding."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
USAV Adult Nationals is a massive event held annually throughout the country that features different age divisions and levels of competition within each division.
Kepner started playing at Adult Nationals in 1995 while playing collegiately at Penn State. A torn achilles when he was 38 put a two year pause on playing before he appeared in the 40-and-over Olympics in São Paulo, Brazil, where he finished third. Rekindling his competitiveness as a player, he has competed at USAV annually since then.
A proven winner on the court as a coach and college player, Kepner has also added six titles to his trophy case courtesy of Adult Nationals. "We've won six times," said Kepner. "Every time they've had age brackets – when they've had enough teams – we have won." In the last 12 years, Kepner and his team have claimed the trophy four times in the 40s bracket and the last two years in the 50s.
Alongside him are members of other great men's volleyball programs from around the country, varying from San Diego, Hawaii, Long Beach State and Ball State. "It's a good group of guys that we've been able to keep together and go every year," said Kepner. "Some guys play on a more regular basis than I do, but overall, it's a fun, competitive group."
One of those teammates is four-time Olympian and a gold medalist of Beijing 2008, Lloy Ball.
"Lloy is a really great guy and still super competitive," said Kepner. "It's always good to still have that competitive spirit on the court when we're out there. Along with the other guys, having a 6'8" Olympic gold medalist on your team never hurts."
Being able to still compete is something Kepner cherishes, even if it's just once a year.
"It's fun to go back and play," stated Kepner. "Definitely a little taxing on the body jumping on concrete floors, but it's good to know I can still go out there and compete at a high level. Playing with the guys I play with is fun but still being able to play at the highest level in the 50s and third is really rewarding."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
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