Better Together

It’s time for the moms to take the mic! This week, we’re bringing you our second parent round table — this time featuring the voices and insights of two of our amazing volleyball moms. A special thanks to Scott Jones for joining us again and lending his voice to another meaningful round table conversation.

We dig into the expectations these moms had when their families first entered the club volleyball world — and how those have shifted with experience. We also explore what “success” really looks like in club, the importance of clear communication, and offer advice for parents who may be struggling to understand or navigate their athlete’s role on the team.

A heartfelt thank you to Melanie and Marianne for their time, transparency, and the valuable perspective they brought to the table. Part 2 is coming your way next week — stay tuned!

Everyone gets nervous—but what if nerves weren’t the enemy? In this solo episode, Korohen breaks down how to manage game-time jitters, shift your mindset, and show up confidently even when doubt creeps in. Whether you’re stepping onto the court, into a big moment, or just battling those inner voices, this episode will help you lean in, trust yourself, and do it scared. Let’s talk about turning nerves into your secret weapon.

This week, our liberos take over the pod—no coaches, no hosts, just them! Avery, Rylee Jo, and Kali are running the show as they dive into the toughest parts of being a libero, their go-to strategies for success, and what it really takes to thrive in the position. They’ll tackle hand-picked questions, swap stories, and even put each other on the spot with their own takes. Tune in for a candid, libero-led conversation you won’t want to miss!

This one’s for the defenders! This week, we sit down with three of our national team liberos—Avery Minskey, Rylee Jo Harbin, and Kalison Beigh. They share their experiences on skill development, team chemistry, and what separates good players from great ones when it comes to handling pressure.

And the conversation doesn’t stop here—tune in next week as the girls take over for Part 2!

Does yelling actually make you play better? In this episode, Korohen breaks down why the best coaches in the world take a different approach, what truly drives motivation, and how you can push yourself to compete at your best - without needing a coach to raise their voice.

This week we have the pleasure of sitting down with current United coach and Bethel grad Sami Parker. We hear about her experience with recruitment during COVID, strategies she used to balance athletics and academics, how the idea of perfection can actually stunt your growth as a player, and how coaches should constantly be in a state of learning.

This week we have United 12 Black coach and former alum Anna Mitchell join us! We hear about what surprised her in transitioning from being a player to taking on a coaching role, skills that translate between teaching and coaching, and her thoughts on holding space for your players - allowing them to make mistakes while falling in love with the game.

In the second half of our chat with Coach Heather we dive right in and hear about what excites her the most when it comes to the future of our beach program, strength and conditioning exercises for beach athletes, how beach athletes can showcase their skills for college coaches, and upcoming happenings at The U- teams, sprouts, co-ed 4's, and more!

In the first part of our conversation with United beach director Heather Sodade, we discuss key differences between training for beach volleyball vs. indoor, how playing beach improves an athlete's overall game. and we hear her perspective on necessary mental shifts that indoor players need to make when competing in beach volleyball. Join us back next week for Part 2!

This week we chat with United 11 Black coach Alison Nagel about the overlooked skill of emotional management, fostering a positive team culture, balancing individual skill development with team cohesion, and more.