Better Together

As many of our former United athletes near the end of their first college volleyball seasons, we’re taking a look back at where their journeys began - the recruitment process. This episode revisits their original conversations from last season, where they shared how they found their fit, made their decisions, and prepared for life at the next level.

Recruitment is more than just choosing a program - it’s about understanding who you are as a player and a person. These stories highlight the lessons, mindset, and trust it takes to step confidently into the next chapter.

We can’t wait to catch up with these athletes later this winter to hear how the transition to college life has shaped them - how they’ve grown, adapted, and continued building on the foundation they’ve worked hard to create.

In Part 2 of our partnership announcement series with SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center and Triple Threat Performance, we’re diving deeper into how this collaboration will elevate the health, safety, and performance of our United athletes.

Our conversation covers what parents, coaches, and players really need to know about recognizing warning signs, building healthy recovery habits, and optimizing training the right way - not just harder.

Discover what sets Triple Threat apart, how communication between coaches and care teams impacts return-to-play success, and why proper sleep might just be the ultimate performance enhancer.

📝 Show Notes

• Recognizing red flags: How to tell when fatigue signals something bigger than normal tiredness
• The truth about recovery: Why sleep is the most powerful performance tool available
• Warm-up & cool-down essentials: Preventing injuries before they happen
• Soreness vs. injury: How athletes can tell the difference and respond safely
• Triple Threat’s edge: What makes their certified staff and methods stand out
• The power of communication: How trainers, coaches, and parents can align for athlete success
• Trust in the process: Why belief in your recovery team matters just as much as the work itself
• Innovations in sports medicine: How technology like force plates and data-driven testing are shaping the future of youth athletics

We explore what holistic athlete care really looks like - and how collaboration between coaches, parents, and medical professionals builds a more supportive environment for every player.

This partnership is about more than performance - it’s about people. Together with SportsMED and Triple Threat Performance, we’re building a system where athletes can grow stronger, recover smarter, and thrive both on and off the court. 

United Volleyball has partnered with SportsMED and Triple Threat Performance to bring next-level care and training to our athletes. From injury prevention and same-day appointments to performance strength training and return-to-sport recovery, this partnership is built to keep players healthy, confident, and ready to compete.

Join Korohen as she sits down with the SportsMED and Triple Threat team to talk about what this collaboration means for our athletes, parents, and coaches - and how holistic care can transform the athlete experience.

Show Notes:

• What inspired the partnership and how it benefits United athletes year-round
• Why quick access to care matters for player availability and confidence
• How prevention, treatment, and training now work hand in hand
• What “return-to-sport” really looks like done the right way
• How United is building a stronger, healthier athlete community

This partnership is about more than performance - it’s about empowering athletes to move better, play longer, and reach their full potential. Be sure to join us next week as we continue the conversation!

In part two of our conversation with Audrey Cagle, our 14U National Head Coach for this upcoming season, we dive into the moments, lessons, and people that have shaped her as both a coach and a person. Audrey shares one of her most memorable coaching experiences with United, reflects on the influence that’s guided her coaching journey, and opens up about how the United community continues to impact her growth.

We also explore what “Better Together” means to her - and how celebration, joy, and connection show up in her coaching philosophy and team culture.

📌 In this episode:

• Audrey’s most memorable coaching moment with United
• The biggest influence on her coaching journey - and the lessons that stuck
• How the United community has helped her grow on and off the court
• What “Better Together” means to her in coaching and life
• Why celebration, joy, and gratitude are vital parts of team culture

A heartfelt close to this two-part series that reminds us why we coach, how we grow, and what it truly means to lead with heart.

This week, we sit down with Audrey Cagle, our 14U National Head Coach for this upcoming season, for an authentic conversation about adaptability, leadership, and finding purpose in the game.

From growing up with a new coach every season to playing every position in college, Audrey’s volleyball journey taught her how to read people, reflect deeply, and stay grounded in her “why.” She opens up about her recruiting story, what keeps her coaching year after year, and the lessons that continue shaping her approach to developing players - both on and off the court.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Audrey’s experience as a multi-position athlete and how it shaped her perspective as a coach
• Lessons learned from having a new coach nearly every season growing up
• Her recruiting story and the decision-making process behind choosing a college
• What keeps her motivated and fulfilled as a coach season after season
• How reflection and observation guide her coaching style
• Key principles she instills in players for growth on and off the court
• The importance of adaptability, confidence, and creativity for 14U athletes

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode is full of thoughtful takeaways on growth, competition, and connection.

Volleyball has been in Emma Jarrett’s life since she could walk - literally. In this episode, she shares stories of growing up in the gym, balancing multiple sports, and making the leap from college player to UAH assistant coach. She talks recruiting, resilience, and why focusing on the process beats obsessing over the scoreboard. 

In this episode, we sit down with Emma to talk about:

• Guiding players through the challenges of balancing school, sports, and the emotional ups and downs of being a student-athlete.
• How growing up with her mom as a coach shaped not only her love for volleyball, but the way she shows up for her players today.
• The lessons she hopes to leave with athletes that go far beyond the skills on the court.
• What qualities she and the UAH staff look for when evaluating high school athletes
• Living with a servant mindset: how to show up for teammates, coaches, athletes, and the program as a whole.

Full of heart, insight, and practical wisdom, this episode speaks to anyone striving to grow in sport or life. Emma’s reflections on mindset, teamwork, and leadership are thoughtful, grounded, and easy to carry into the game.

Join us for the final chapter of our conversation with Tristan Johnson, head coach of University of North Alabama volleyball, as he shares the story of his journey from small-town Texas to leading a Division I program.

Growing up with volleyball in his family, Tristan’s path started unexpectedly. Through chance encounters, bold moves, and taking on responsibility at a young age, he climbed the coaching ranks - from Blinn Junior College to powerhouse programs like Alabama, Arkansas State, and Southern Illinois -before landing at UNA. Along the way, he gained national team experience, learned from elite mentors, and built a network that helped shape his philosophy.

In this episode, Tristan shares:

• How early experiences and family influenced his love for the game
• Seizing opportunities and taking responsibility as a young coach
• Lessons learned from elite programs and national team involvement
• The mindset and habits that helped him grow as both a coach and a person

Tune in to hear Tristan’s candid insights, powerful advice, and the story behind his rise to UNA volleyball - a conversation packed with lessons for athletes, coaches, and anyone navigating their path to success.

In part two of our conversation with Alyssum Reno-Smith, The Non-Diet Sports RD, we dive into the biggest myths and mistakes athletes make with nutrition - and how volleyball players can simplify fueling to play their best.

From caffeine to common misconceptions, this episode covers what every athlete, parent, and coach needs to know to help athletes feel confident, focused, and fueled on and off the court.

What you’ll hear in Part 2:

• How to encourage young athletes to fuel properly despite peer pressure around body image
• Common nutrition myths athletes believe (and the truth behind them)
• Caffeine: does it help or hurt performance?
• How under-fueling impacts focus, reaction time, and decision-making on the court
• A common mistake athletes make with their nutrition during tournaments
• Alyssum’s best advice for athletes to improve their nutrition without overcomplicating it
• Social media Q&A: her answers to the most common questions athletes wanted to hear from a dietitian

If you missed part one, be sure to go back and listen to hear Alyssum’s journey from athlete to dietitian, her fueling tips for tournaments, and why hydration is the hidden key to performance.

What you eat and drink can make or break your performance on the court. And today’s guest knows exactly how to help volleyball players fuel and hydrate smarter.

In this episode, we sit down with Alyssum Reno-Smith, a former athlete turned registered dietitian, to talk about how nutrition and hydration directly impact energy, recovery, and performance. From what to eat before tournaments to how to stay fueled and hydrated between matches, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can start using right away.

What you’ll hear in Part 1:

• Alyssum’s journey from athlete to becoming a registered dietitian
• The difference between an RD and a nutrition counselor (and why it matters)
• Why preparation is key during long tournament days
• The importance of timing meals before and after practices & matches
• How your performance can change depending on what foods you eat
• The all-important topic of hydration and drinking enough water
• Go-to recommendations for quick and easy pre-practice and pre-game snacks

And this is only part one! Be sure to come back next week as we dive deeper into nutrition strategies every athlete needs to know - from recovery and travel fueling to busting the biggest myths around food and performance.

Not every athlete’s path is linear. United alum Audrey Krichev didn’t plan to play at Amherst, but when the opportunity came, she embraced it - and it’s shaped her college experience in ways she never expected.

• How Audrey’s recruiting journey unfolded - and the surprises along the way
• Why she didn’t originally plan to play at Amherst, and how the opportunity opened
• Her mindset shift when stepping onto the team
• How volleyball has shaped her college experience
• The reality of balancing academics with athletics at a high-level institution

From balancing rigorous coursework with athletics to the personal growth volleyball continues to bring, Audrey opens up about her journey on and off the court.