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Fantasy baseball bullpen report

Although it’s only been one week of regular-season game action, the high-leverage landscape has changed drastically since my last preseason article. Things have been particularly challenging for Alexis Díaz and David Bednar. In 2023, they combined for 76 saves, but a closer’s performance can be erratic from year to year. Díaz was placed on the […]

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Fantasy baseball bullpen report

Although it’s only been one week of regular-season game action, the high-leverage landscape has changed drastically since my last preseason article. Things have been particularly challenging for Alexis Díaz and David Bednar. In 2023, they combined for 76 saves, but a closer’s performance can be erratic from year to year. Díaz was placed on the injured list before the season began with a hamstring issue. Bednar was demoted after a slow start, and he had a rough spring and lost the closer role last August.

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In Texas, fantasy managers believed Chris Martin would be the preferred save option, but Luke Jackson has emerged in the role instead. Liam Hendriks also opened the season on the injured list after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired elbow, resulting in Aroldis Chapman being the closer in Boston (unless matchups dictate otherwise).

I’ll touch on these topics and more below, but first …

Recognizing how a manager prefers handling high-leverage innings can create a competitive advantage. Here are our high-leverage pathway identifiers. Each team will receive one of the following labels:

  • Mostly linear: This is a more traditional approach, with a manager preferring one reliever in the seventh inning, another in the eighth, and a closer (when rested) in the ninth. There are shades of gray, but it’s usually a predictable leverage pathway.
  • Primary save share: The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in match-up-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order pockets in the late innings. This provides multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.
  • Match-up-based: Usually, two relievers split save opportunities, sometimes based on handedness, rest, or recent usage patterns. While these situations usually rely on a primary and ancillary option, others can get into the mix. Some teams also prefer a match-up-based option, assigning pitchers a hitter pocket for a series, causing fluid save opportunities.
  • Closer competition: This team’s manager has not decided on his preferred closer option. Each league’s quick synopsis will highlight these situations.
  • In flux: His manager has not confirmed the projected closer based on past struggles or rough spring appearances.

Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2HTVI/2/

Notes and Observations

Baltimore Orioles: Command has been a slight issue for Félix Bautista, who is returning from Tommy John surgery. It’s a limited sample, but he’s posted three strikeouts against three walks with a 49% strike rate. Better days lie ahead for “The Mountain,” but with a managed workload, his initial projected save total may have been too aggressive.

Boston Red Sox: As referenced above, Chapman was named the preferred save share but made his first appearance of the year facing Corey Seager’s lineup pocket in the bottom of the eighth, not as a traditional closer. Justin Slaten secured the save in that contest, which represents the ancillary save option for those in deeper formats.

Chicago White Sox: This team has not produced a save chance, but Mike Clevinger has made both of his relief appearances in the eighth inning. He was mentioned as an option for closing, but until usage patterns form, it’s all speculation.

Detroit Tigers: Tommy Kahnle converted the team’s first save chance in the ninth inning of a win in Seattle. Will he remain atop the hierarchy? Last year’s saves leader (Jason Foley) began the season in Triple A, and the save leader from 2023 (Alex Lange) continues his rehab after being designated to the 60-day injured list, but he could be a factor later this season. Until clarity emerges, it’s reliever roulette with manager A.J. Hinch.

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Kansas City Royals: A truncated spring may affect Carlos Estévez early on, but he opened the season as the preferred option for saves, with Lucas Erceg being the highest-leverage reliever (HLR).

Texas Rangers: One of the most challenging parts of projecting saves is volume, which can fluctuate. Luke Jackson has already converted three of four save opportunities. Can he be this year’s iteration of Kirby Yates for manager Bruce Bochy? Time will tell, but he’s earning a longer leash with each appearance.


Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0i606/2/

Notes and Observations

Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Puk has the team’s first two saves, but Justin Martinez remains a leverage factor. Martinez was electric on Tuesday, striking out the side against the Yankees’ 3-4-5 hitters, including Aaron Judge. Without a closer being named, these two will share save chances based on lineup pockets in the late innings.

Atlanta Braves: Not addressing the leverage ladder’s depth this offseason may have been a mistake. Raisel Iglesias will continue being a trusted closer, but getting leads to him in the ninth will be an adventure unless someone emerges as a trusted option with Joe Jiménez out because of knee surgery.

Chicago Cubs: It’s early, but Ryan Pressly has not endeared himself to his new franchise’s fan base, though he has recorded two saves. However, his -15 K/BB percentage and 2.75 WHIP across his first four innings represent cause for concern. He’s leaning into his curve and throwing fewer four-seam fastballs. Will this be his path forward? If not, Porter Hodge awaits as a viable replacement. Stay tuned.

Cincinnati Reds: Díaz and Terry Francona did not feel like a match made in heaven before the former’s hamstring injury. The team has spun positivity about the closer finding his form, but Díaz’s command remains the primary concern for fantasy managers. Emilio Pagán has posted the only save through the Reds’ first six games, but the savvy long-term play may be Graham Ashcraft.

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Colorado Rockies: Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen competed for the closer role all spring. Although Vodnik produced better numbers during spring training, he suffered a loss on Opening Day and worked in a set-up capacity on his second outing. Halvorsen has converted the team’s only save this season and taken over the top in our leverage chart. He has the velocity; the question is, can he command his arsenal well enough to keep his ratios manageable for fantasy managers? If not, saves may be fluid based on performance throughout the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers: There is still no clear definition of the totality of save chances for Tanner Scott. He has converted two of three opportunities but will share them with Blake Treinen and teammates throughout the season.

Miami Marlins: First-year manager Clayton McCullough indicated a save share could ensue between Calvin Faucher and Jesús Tinoco. Tinoco has been placed on the 15-day injured list, and Faucher has struggled while working with reduced velocities. Veteran Anthony Bender has recorded the team’s only save and could emerge as the preferred save share, but this remains a leverage ladder in flux.

Philadelphia Phillies: Jordan Romano and José Alvarado have presented themselves as the preferred options for save chances. However, how those chances are distributed remains unknown because of manager Rob Thomson’s “floating closer” concept during high-leverage events.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The combination of poor defense, a wild pitch and a minor-league option for Bednar have led to a demotion to Triple A for the Pirates’ erstwhile closer. It’s been a precipitous fall for the 2023 National League co-leader for saves. Can Bednar regain his confidence? In the Pirates’ first save chance since Bednar was demoted, Dennis Santana worked a scoreless ninth. He represents the likely short-term replacement. Since July 20 of last year, he has 32 appearances spanning 35.1 innings, with 38 strikeouts against nine walks (22.5 K-BB percentage), a 2.86 SIERA, and a 0.71 WHIP.


*Note: Relievers on the Rise, Closer Concerns, and Leaderboards will debut next week when a larger sample size has been accrued.

Updated Tiered Rankings for Saves and SOLDS

Save Stashes

  • Graham Ashcraft (CIN)

Ancillary Save Options

  • Blake Treinen (LAD)
  • Yennier Cano (BAL)
  • Chris Martin (TEX)
  • Justin Slaten (BOS)
  • Tyler Holton (DET)

Ratio Relievers

*Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios.

  • Garrett Whitlock (BOS)
  • Ben Casparius (LAD)
  • Keegan Akin (BAL)

Statistical Credits (for games played through April 2): Fangraphs.com; Baseball-Reference.com; BaseballSavant.com; BrooksBaseball.net

For daily coverage of bullpens, check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey.

(Top photo of Graham Ashcraft: Jeff Dean / Getty Images)

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Mountain Bruins Wine Tasting event a success | News

The Mountain Bruins hosted their annual Wine Tasting Social on Friday May 23.   Over 70 members of the scholarship program gathered at the charming estate home of Lisa and Brian Cohen for the annual wine tasting event.   This year, the Mountain Bruins are supporting nine local mountain residents in their academic journey at UCLA.  […]

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The Mountain Bruins hosted their annual Wine Tasting Social on Friday May 23.  



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Track & Field Ready for the Four-Day NCAA East First Round in Jacksonville – LSU

BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU track and field team is kicking off the initial qualifying rounds of the NCAA meets with the NCAA East First Round hosted at North Florida’s Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The four-day meet will be streamed lived on ESPN+. Live Results | Meet Schedule | Meet Information LSU will have […]

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BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU track and field team is kicking off the initial qualifying rounds of the NCAA meets with the NCAA East First Round hosted at North Florida’s Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The four-day meet will be streamed lived on ESPN+.

Live Results | Meet Schedule | Meet Information

LSU will have 34 student-athletes (20 men, 14 women) competing this week at the NCAA East First Round. The first day of the meet (Wednesday) is set to start at 1:30 p.m. CT for LSU with the men’s javelin throw.

Live coverage of the NCAA East First Round will air on ESPN+, starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Wednesday: ESPN+ Stream (5 p.m.)
Thursday: ESPN+ Stream (5 p.m.)
Friday: ESPN+ Stream (4 p.m.)
Saturday: ESPN+ Stream (4 p.m.)

The Tigers will be represented at next week’s NCAA East First Round by 34 student athletes across 39 entries next week. The women are heading to this year’s meet with 13 less entries and seven less members than last year’s team. The men will have three less entries, but retain the same number of athletes as last year’s team.

To mirror the format of the national meet, the First Round will be contested over four days with alternating men’s and women’s programs. The NCAA West First Round will take place the same weekend at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas. The top 12 in each event advance to Eugene, Ore., for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships (June 11-14). Listed below are all 39 entries for LSU and more info pertaining the upcoming meets.

Women’s Qualifiers | 18 entries, 14 student-athletes

100 (2) Tima Godbless, Aniyah Bigam
200 (2) Tima Godbless, Aniyah Bigam
400 (1) Ella Onojuvwevwo
800 (1) Michaela Rose
10,000 (1) Edna Chepkemoi
400h (1) Garriel White
4 x 100 Machaeda Linton, Nasya Williams, Aniyah Bigam, Tima Godbless
4 x 400 Ella Onojuvwevwo, Michaela Rose, Aniyah Bigam, Garriel White
PV (1) Johanna Duplantis
LJ (1) Machaeda Linton
TJ (2) Machaeda Linton, Taylor Fingers
DT (2) Princesse Hyman, Leah Acosta,
JT (2) Trinity Spooner, Alexis Guillory

 

Men’s Qualifiers | 21 entries, 20 student-athletes

100 (3) Jelani Watkins, Jaiden Reid, Myles Thomas
200 (2) Jaiden Reid, Jelani Watkins
400 (1) Amal Glasgow
1500 (2) Emedy Kiplimo, Rhen Langley
110h (2) Matthew Sophia, Jahiem Stern
4 x 100 Jahiem Stern, Jaiden Reid, Myles Thomas, Jelani Watkins
4 x 400 Jeremiah Walker, Shakeem McKay, Gregory Prince, Amal Glasgow
HJ (3) Kam Franklin, Kuda Chadenga, Isaac Onuoha
PV (1) Beau Domingue
LJ (1) Jordan Turner
DT (2) Chad Hendricks, Jaden James, Jevan Parara
JT (1) Paul Catalanatto Jr.

 

The complete list of participants is available on the following website.

For more information regarding the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and to purchase tickets, log on to NCAA.com/trackandfield.

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Volleyball Announces 2025 Schedule – Rutgers University Athletics

Story Links PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers volleyball has unveiled its schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, featuring 13 home contests and the 20-game Big Ten slate with home games against NCAA opponents Nebraska, Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. Ticket information for home games will be released at a future […]

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers volleyball has unveiled its schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, featuring 13 home contests and the 20-game Big Ten slate with home games against NCAA opponents Nebraska, Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.

Ticket information for home games will be released at a future date.

The season kicks off in late August as the Scarlet Knights travel to Buffalo, New York to meet Marist, Liberty and Buffalo the weekend of August 29-31.

Nonconference action continues with a weekend trip to Fairfield, Connecticut for match ups with Dartmouth, host Sacred Heart and LIU on Sept. 5-7.

RU’s first home matches of the season will include nonconference action with Rider on Wednesday, Sept. 10, St. Francis (PA) on Thursday, Sept. 11 and New Hampshire on Friday, Sept. 12.

The nonconference schedule concludes with a trip to Fairfax, Virginia, to take on Coppin State and host George Mason the weekend of Sept. 19-20.

Big Ten play opens up at the end of September as Rutgers starts off conference play on the road at Wisconsin on Friday, Sept. 26 and at Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 28.

RU opens up October with five of six at home. Big Ten action comes to the banks beginning Friday, Oct. 3 with Maryland and continues with Nebraska on Saturday, Oct. 4, Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 10 and Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 11. The Scarlet Knights have a return date at Maryland on Wednesday, Oct. 15 before closing out the October home stand with Purdue on Sunday, Oct. 19 on Homecoming/Alumnae Weekend.

October concludes with three road dates, including a meeting with national champion Penn State on Friday, Oct. 24, as well as trips to Iowa on Sunday, Oct. 26 and Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 31.

November begins on the road at Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 1, before returning home to host Michigan on Friday, Nov. 7, and to close out the season series with Ohio State on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Rutgers makes its west coast trip this year to California to meet up with USC on Friday, Nov. 14 and UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 15 while the Scarlet Knights’ final road date will be at Indiana on Thursday, Nov. 20.

The regular season comes to a close with three home games. RU welcomes Minnesota on Sunday, Nov. 23, Oregon on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Washington on Friday, Nov. 28.

Ticket information for 2025 contests will be released later this summer, along with TV and streaming designations. Stay tuned to ScarletKnights.com as information becomes available.

 




VB Schedule Graphic - page 1

VB schedule graphic - big ten only

Follow Rutgers women’s volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

– RU  –

 
 
 





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Aniamaka, Block, Reeves-Lile, and VanZeeland Set to Compete at NCAA West Regional Preliminary Rounds

Story Links MILWAUKEE – Divine Aniamaka, Natalie Block, Jaelyn Reeves-Lile, and Olivia VanZeeland of the Milwaukee track & field teams have qualified to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, taking place May 28-31 in College Station, Texas.   The West Regional athletes with the top 48 marks in their […]

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MILWAUKEE – Divine Aniamaka, Natalie Block, Jaelyn Reeves-Lile, and Olivia VanZeeland of the Milwaukee track & field teams have qualified to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, taking place May 28-31 in College Station, Texas.
 

The West Regional athletes with the top 48 marks in their respective events will be competing at Texas A&M’s E.B Cushing Stadium across four days. The meet will be available to watch live on ESPN+ starting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and at 5:00 p.m. the final two days.
 

 The top 12 athletes in each event will advance from the first-round sites to the NCAA Track & Field Championships, held from June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
 
Returning to the West Prelims in both the 100m and 400m hurdles for the second year in a row will be Block. After claiming Horizon League titles in both races, she will look to punch her ticket to Oregon for the second time in the 400m hurdles, and add her first trip in the 100m hurdles.
 
The only Panther making their second regional appearance, Block currently ranks 17th in the West in the 100m hurdles with a top time of 13.16, and 22nd in the 400m hurdles at 57.71.
 
Block will run in the first round of both events on Thursday, the 100m hurdles will begin at 6:00 p.m. then she will finish the day with the 400m hurdles at 8:20 p.m. The top 24 finishers in the first round will advance the quarterfinal round held on Saturday.
 
Reeves-Lile made the cut after a tremendous finish to the season saw him win league titles and set school records in the 100m and 200m dashes. His time in the 200m dash of 20.51 puts him at 14th in the regional rankings, while he checks in at 35th on the 100m dash leaderboard with a mark of 10.24.
 
Reeves-Lile is set to be the first Panther in action on Wednesday, starting in the 100m at 7:00 p.m. before finishing in the 200m at 8:45 p.m. Both quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday should he advance.
 
VanZeeland earned her spot in the competition back on Apr. 17 when she cleared 1.80m in the high jump to leave her tied for 23rd in the region’s rankings and topple the program record. She continued her stellar season at the Horizon League Championships where she claimed her second high jump title with a mark of 1.75m. She will compete for her spot at Nationals on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
 
Rounding out the qualifiers will be Aniamaka, who recorded his best triple jump performance of the season at the league championships with a leap of 15.39m. The distance placed him 38th in the West and tied for the best jump in school history. He is slated to compete on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
 





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Volleyball England begins 70th year celebrations

Volleyball England today begins its 70th anniversary year celebrations! It was on 28th May 1955 that the first ever meeting of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took place.  Just under a year later, a constitution was finalised on 6th April 1956, paving the way for organised volleyball to be […]

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Volleyball England today begins its 70th anniversary year celebrations!

It was on 28th May 1955 that the first ever meeting of the Amateur Volleyball Association (AVA) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took place. 

Just under a year later, a constitution was finalised on 6th April 1956, paving the way for organised volleyball to be established in the UK. 

The AVA was the forerunner to the individual Home Nation national associations that now govern the sport in each of those countries today, with the AVA renamed the English Volleyball Association in 1972 and Volleyball England in 2006. 

Richard Callicott OBE, Honorary President of Volleyball England, reflected on the sport’s incredible journey over the last seven decades:

“The sport has changed in so many ways in the last 70 years, with tactics, techniques, skills, fitness and commitment all improving. But the most important aspect is that the sport is enjoyed and is considered fun for so many boys and girls, and men and women of all levels of ability.”

“The development of Volleyball in England was held back due to the lack of indoor facilities until the 1970s. It was only when Sports halls were built that indoor sports were able to develop.

“Coaches were the mechanism for the expansion of Volleyball, and clubs were the means by which young people were encouraged into the sport.

“Until then, volleyball was played outdoors on grass. Events such as Sandwell, Whitfield and Ashcombe were able to showcase the sport (Sandwell was in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in Europe).”

The competitive structure also saw significant growth in the sport across the country, with Richard saying, “Over the years, competitions have expanded and players have benefited from National, Regional and Local leagues, producing some outstanding players.

“England has had some great players who have gone on to play for professional clubs in Europe and around the world. This was never truer than in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We have now competed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Great Britain in Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Sitting Volleyball. Indeed, Mo Glover and Audrey Cooper were our first players to play in the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta.

England now we has a men’s Team, Joaquin and Javier Bello, winning a bronze medal in the second Commonwealth Beach Tournament in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham as well as a gold medal in Brazil last year in the Elite 16. They are currently ranked 10th in the world, with other English pairs close behind.

“The sport of volleyball is one of the most widely played in the world, and England is part of the European Confederation, which has over 50 Federations to compete against. I am confident that we will see our teams show increasing progress in the coming years.

“Now for the next 70 years!” said Richard.

To mark the occasion, Volleyball England will be staging several events in recognition of its 70th year, including one at Cup Finals 2026. 

Members of the Volleyball England Heritage Project Core Group will also be looking to unlock some of the many stories from the past 70 years that will be told through the Facebook Group and Heritage podcast. 

From the record number of England caps for Ann Jarvis (176) to the Bello brothers winning an Elite 16 event for the first time, the sport has never been short of memorable moments – and they are keen to document the best moments that have been enjoyed across the community. 

For now, though, members are encouraged to send in any written literature images or videos they wish to share that may be of interest to others. 

If you do so, please send via email to info@volleyballengland.org, detailing what has been submitted, as well as who has sent it and contact information in case of query. 



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Moanalua graduate wins national volleyball championship with Long Beach State

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – When talking about all-time University of Hawaii at Manoa volleyball rivals, Long Beach State is right up there. Caught in the middle is DiAeris McRaven. “Coming back, I always feel the love from the fans, even when they were mad at me for scoring against UH,” said McRaven. “I still feel the […]

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – When talking about all-time University of Hawaii at Manoa volleyball rivals, Long Beach State is right up there.

Caught in the middle is DiAeris McRaven.

“Coming back, I always feel the love from the fans, even when they were mad at me for scoring against UH,” said McRaven. “I still feel the love. I get the leis from all the aunties and uncles. As much as I’m the enemy, they make me feel like I’m back at home.”

The Honolulu native grew up dominating on the basketball court until his sophomore year at Moanalua, when he finally took his mom’s advice.

“My mom played volleyball back in Japan,” McRaven said. “She was on the junior national team in Japan as well. My mom always wanted me to play… Relative to a lot of my teammates, I started pretty late.”

(DiAeris McRaven)

Though with athleticism like his, it didn’t take long to catch up.

However, when it came to post-graduation plans, McRaven said, “Obviously every kid wants to go to Division I right out of high school, realizing I had to go the junior college route was challenging. Obviously not my first choice, but I just put my head down and kept working.”

After two years at Southern California’s Orange Coast College, he made the leap, not only to a DI program, but to a team that fought for a national championship the year prior against Hawaii.

(DiAeris McRaven)

Fast forward to this season, where he ended his collegiate career with his own national title run. He led the Beach with five blocks in their championship match sweep of the University of California, Los Angeles.

“Obviously you dream about those moments,” McRaven said. “You see it growing up, like ‘Wow, I wonder what it feels like to be there, to be a national champion.’ I still don’t really grasp the weight of it.”

McRaven says his playing days aren’t quite over yet, he plans to pursue opportunities overseas.

Then he wants to make a career out of filmmaking, a craft he also picked up in high school.

“I love movies and I love making small stories in my head, watching a film and going ‘Oh what if this happened,’” he said. “Or what if they took a different route, and I think subconsciously I always had that film-making passion in me, but didn’t realize it.”

McRaven says attending Long Beach State was a blessing for him. Being near Hollywood, he had the opportunity to meet other filmmakers in the industry.

(DiAeris McRaven)



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