Better Together

In part two of our conversation with UNA Head Coach Tristan Johnson, we dig into the real details of recruiting that athletes often wonder about but rarely get clear answers on. From first impressions in an email to what he’s really looking for in a highlight film, Tristan shares how athletes can separate themselves in the recruiting process - and what growth looks like once they step on campus.

📌 What to Expect:

• What makes an athlete’s initial outreach stand out - and what coaches notice first in an email.
• The right timing to initiate and build communication with a college coach.
• Why highlight films matter and how athletes should prioritize their strengths when creating one.
• How Tristan helps players handle the jump from club to college volleyball.
• The one piece of advice he wishes every recruit could hear before starting their recruiting journey.

In the coming weeks, stay tuned for the third and final part of our conversation - where Tristan opens up about his own journey into volleyball, what brought him to UNA, and the lessons that continue to shape his coaching today.

In Part 1 of our conversation with University of North Alabama Head Coach Tristan Johnson, we dive into the recruitment journey from the coach’s perspective. Tristan shares what he looks for when evaluating athletes, the key reminders every recruit should hold onto, and why gratitude and character matter just as much as skill.

Whether you’re an athlete chasing a roster spot, a parent guiding your athlete, or a coach supporting players through the process, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to stand out and find your place in college volleyball.

📌 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the recruiting process typically begins from a coach’s side
• Key reminders for athletes: stop comparing, embrace gratitude, and keep an open mind to all levels
• What Tristan notices first when evaluating a recruit
• How he defines “coachability” and why presence, demeanor, and character carry so much weight
• The importance of showing who you are when things don’t go your way

👉 Next week in Part 2: Tristan returns with even deeper recruitment insight and phenomenal advice for athletes looking to play at the next level.

This week on Better Together, Merritt Beason returns for Part 2 of a heartfelt conversation. From inspiring the next generation of athletes to sharing hard-earned wisdom from the highest levels of the game, Merritt opens up with the same authenticity and leadership that make her such a powerful presence on and off the court. We go deeper into the heart of what it takes to lead, evolve, and inspire.

She reflects on what she hopes to change in the game, how she prepares mentally and physically, and what she’s had to unlearn to keep leveling up. You’ll hear:

🌱 What Merritt hopes to help grow and change through her role as a United Ambassador - and why the next generation of athletes matters so much to her

💭 The advice she would give to a young girl dreaming of playing in college (or beyond) - and why perseverance is more powerful than perfection

💪 The hardest part of being a top-level athlete that no one talks about - and how she pushes through it

🎧 What her pre-game routine looks like - and how it has evolved over time as she’s grown into a pro athlete

🔄 Something Merritt had to unlearn as she moved up through the ranks from club to college to pro - and how it shaped her approach to the game today

Merritt’s perspective is an incredible mix of practical wisdom, personal growth, and a bold vision for the future. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this conversation is a reminder of the power of growth, leadership, and staying true to your why.

This week on Better Together, we’re joined by pro volleyball player, Nebraska standout, and proud United Ambassador Merritt Beason for one of our most personal and powerful conversations yet.

Merritt opens up about the journey behind the jersey — the real decisions, emotions, and mindset shifts that come with chasing your dreams at the highest level.

She walks us through the deeply personal process of transferring, what guided her decisions, and how she’s learning to let her “why” evolve with each season of life.

You'll hear:

• How Merritt navigated transferring schools and made the right choices for her
• What athletes often stress about in recruiting that doesn’t matter as much as they think
• Her journey with the love of the game
• How she continues to grow and challenge herself in this stage of her career
• Why it’s okay - and even healthy - for your “why” to shift over time
• The lessons and mindsets she’s carried from the coaches who’ve shaped her

You do not want to miss this chat! No matter your role in the game, there’s something here for you. Merritt brings the kind of perspective and heart that will stay with you long after the episode ends - and we're so grateful for the time she spent with us!

We couldn’t fit all the wisdom into one - so here’s Part 1 of our two-part episode with Merritt. Be sure to join us back next week for the rest of the conversation!

Signing Day is this weekend- a big moment for our athletes and families!

In this episode, Korohen chats with our United Registrar, Michelle, to walk through what Signing Day looks like at our club and what families can expect as the season takes shape.

They touch on:

• How we celebrate Signing Day and why it matters
• What to do right after you commit
• Tips for uniform ordering and important dates to note
• What’s coming this fall to help athletes gear up before official practices

If you’re feeling excited but also a little unsure - this is the episode that brings clarity to the process and gets you feeling ready. Let's make it official and start this upcoming season strong!

This week, we’re joined by Eli Hester - a recent commit to the University of West Alabama and a former 18 National player who took a nontraditional path to college volleyball. Hear what sparked her decision to join club her senior year, how she handled the unknowns, navigating the recruiting process, and the meaningful lessons she’ll keep long after her playing days are over.

In this episode, we cover:

• what led her to pursue club volleyball so late in her high school journey
• what it felt like walking into a club gym for the first time at 18
• how she adapted quickly and found belonging in a new environment
• the challenges she faced throughout the recruiting process
• what sealed her decision to commit to West AL
• the area of her game she’s most excited to grow at the next level
• the deeper life lesson volleyball has introduced to her
• and the part of the game she truly fell in love with

Her journey proves that starting late doesn’t mean starting behind - especially when you’re all in.

Think evaluations are just about skills? Worried that one bad rep will ruin your chances? In Part 2 of our eval prep series, United Directors Korohen and Scott return to bust common myths and help athletes understand the bigger picture.

They dive into:

• Common myths athletes believe about evaluations
• What happens after evaluations wrap
• How players can be evaluated for multiple positions

Whether you're a first-time athlete or returning player, this episode clears up confusion and helps you walk into the gym more confident and informed. We can't wait to see you this week!

It’s almost evaluation week, and we’re kicking off Season 2 with exactly what you need to walk into it with confidence. United Directors Scott and Korohen sit down to share what really matters during volleyball evaluations - whether you’re a returning player or walking into the gym for the first time.

Nervous? Excited? Somewhere in between? This episode is your guide to showing up strong, staying grounded, and standing out for all the right reasons.

From the energy you bring to the court to how you respond when things don’t go perfectly, this conversation is packed with real talk, helpful reminders, and honest perspective from coaches who value growth over perfection - and know what really leaves a lasting impression.

• Why your mindset matters more than you think
• The qualities coaches are actually watching for
• What to do (and not do) if you want to stand out
• How parents can be a calm, supportive presence — without adding pressure
• The evaluation myths that need to go

If you’re ready to shift from anxious to intentional, this episode will help you step into the gym with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

We’re cheering for you. Let’s get into it.

It’s our very first podversary, and to celebrate, Korohen and Brittany are stepping behind the mic together for the first time ever! In this special episode, we reflect on the journey of Better Together - sharing stories from the very beginning, the challenges and surprises of producing a podcast, and what it truly means to honor the individuality of every athlete and coach we meet along the way. Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about what we’ve learned and the dreams we have for Season Two.

We’re sitting down with London Tate - United 18 Black athlete and Andrew College commit. She shares how living with diabetes has shaped her self-awareness and discipline, both on and off the court. We also talk about how her definition of success has evolved through club volleyball, her advice for younger athletes dreaming of playing in college, and the standout moments from her 18s season she’ll carry with her.