Better Together

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by alumni Emily Alexander, now playing volleyball at Clarkson University. Emily shares how her recruiting journey unfolded, when she realized she wanted to pursue volleyball long term, and how being an athlete has shaped her both on and off the court. She also opens up about how she handles nerves, and what helps her reset mentally and physically through the ups and downs of the season.

Summer at United is heating up! As families start thinking ahead to the next club season, we're sitting down with our registrar to walk through everything coming up - from summer camps and development sessions to middle school and high school play dates. We also chat about the upcoming parent info meeting this weekend and how to get ahead by registering for July evaluations. Whether you’re a returning family or brand new to United, this episode is your one-stop shop for what’s around the corner!

In this episode, we sit down with United Coach Isabelle Fuell for a thoughtful conversation about her path into coaching, how she leads in the gym, and the impact she hopes to have on her players. Isabelle shares how her experience as a setter has shaped her leadership style, what drew her into coaching, and the lessons she’s taken from her own playing days into the gym. As she reflects on her first season with United, she opens up about the bigger picture - why she loves coaching at the club level and what she hopes to instill in her players, both on and off the court. It's a good one - don't miss it!

In the final installment of our three-part Ask the Directors series, Scott and Korohen dive into the evaluation process. From what to expect when trying new positions to how we handle makeup sessions and playing time conversations. They also share practical programs we offer to support skill development for our younger athletes and break down the goals and benefits of our United Unlimited membership.

In Part 2 of our three-part Ask the Directors series, Scott and Korohen tackle more real questions from our United families - finding the right coaching tone, family dynamics in team placement, what players should be aware of when navigating offers, and more. 

We asked, you answered. In this special three-part series, our directors respond to questions submitted by our club families—diving into the heart of what makes our community strong, connected, and always growing. In part one, we open the conversation with insights from the top—covering how we navigate challenging team dynamics, the rewards and realities of running a club, and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Peyten Young, United 16 Black coach. We explore how his love for the game led him to coaching - and the life lessons he’s picked up along the way. He opens up about navigating moments of self-doubt, learning to lead without always having all the answers, and how coaching continues to shape his identity off the court. We also dive into how he defines success in a culture often dominated by wins and losses. 

In this episode, we continue our Birmingham launch series with a deeper look at what it really means to build something new - from the ground up. We sit down with Ryan, our Birmingham Director, to talk about the current volleyball landscape in the city, how United plans to contribute to its growth, and what it looks like to stay mission-aligned while creating something uniquely local.

We also dive into the real work behind expansion: the challenges, the opportunities, and the heart behind it all. If you’ve been wondering what makes United different, or what’s coming next in Birmingham, this is the episode for you.

We’re beyond grateful for Ryan - his leadership, heart, and belief in what we’re building together. This partnership means everything, and we can’t wait to grow with the Birmingham community.

Something special is unfolding - United is expanding, and we’re deeply excited to bring our mission and heart to Birmingham!

As we grow, so does our commitment to doing things with purpose, and that’s exactly what this episode is about. We’re proud to introduce Ryan Freeburg, the new Director of our Birmingham location, and dive into how he plans to build something meaningful from the ground up.

In Part 1, we explore what it means to lead a new location while staying true to the heart of United. From the intentional steps it takes to foster a club environment where athletes grow both on and off the court, to earning trust in a brand-new city, Ryan shares his vision for a club environment where character grows alongside skill - developing confident players and even better individuals.

It’s a special week, so be sure to join us again for Part 2 this Friday!

We’re back with more heartfelt perspective from our volleyball moms! This week, they reflect on the balance between offering encouragement and knowing when to step back, allowing their athletes the space to grow through challenges. They also speak on how gratitude has shaped their journeys and the quiet—but powerful—role parents play in building a healthy, supportive team culture. We’re so grateful to Marianne and Melanie for their honesty and wisdom they brought to this conversation!