Better Together

United Volleyball
  • ٠٫٠ (٠)
  • الكرة الطائرة

A United podcast centered around athlete development, coaching philosophies, the college recruitment process, and more! Hosted by Korohen Jones, Director of Player and Coach Development. Each week we showcase different athletes, alumni, and coaches that all help us become #bettertogether.

  1. قبل ٥ أيام

    UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre: The Mental Side Athletes Struggle With Most (Part 3)

    In Part 3 of our conversation with UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre, we dive into the mental side of the game - and what truly holds athletes back from reaching their potential. From comparison and perfectionism to confidence and identity, this episode explores the internal battles athletes face and how to work through them. Coach Vandeperre shares honest insight on what he sees at the college level, how athletes can separate themselves mentally, and the importance of understanding who you are beyond your sport. We also get into: – Why comparison is one of the biggest traps in sports – The danger of perfectionism and hesitation – How to help quieter athletes find their voice – What college coaches wish athletes understood earlier – The role of identity in performance and confidence – Whether energy can actually be coached Plus, a rapid-fire segment packed with real, practical takeaways for athletes navigating their journey. If you’re an athlete (or parent) trying to better understand the mental side of performance and recruitment, this is a must-listen.

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  2. ١٥ أبريل

    UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre: Recruiting Truths & What Coaches Really Look For (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our conversation with UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre, we dive into the recruiting process, what actually matters to college coaches, and how athletes can better navigate the journey. From debunking common myths about beach volleyball opportunities to breaking down what separates athletes at the next level, this episode is packed with insight for players and parents alike. Coach Vandeperre shares how he evaluates athletes beyond just performance, why “joy” and mindset matter more than you think, and what athletes often get wrong when trying to get recruited. We also explore: – Beach vs. indoor skill translation – What coaches notice (and what they don’t) – How communication and partnership impact success in beach volleyball – The importance of honesty and alignment in the recruiting process If you're serious about playing at the next level - or just want a clearer understanding of what that path actually looks like, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Part 2 Highlights: The biggest myths about beach volleyball recruitingWhy opportunities are more available than athletes thinkWhat coaches look for firstThe role of joy, resilience, and mindset in recruitingHonest conversations athletes need to have before committingBeach vs. indoor: what translates and what doesn’tThe importance of communication in 2-person teamsHow great partners build confidence in each other

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  3. ٨ أبريل

    UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre on Identity, Culture, and Performance (Part 1)

    We recently took a little trip to the University of North Alabama and had the pleasure of speaking with UNA Beach Volleyball head coach Kaleb Vandeperre about the foundation of what it really means to be a college athlete. From an unconventional path into volleyball to building a competitive beach program at UNA, Coach Caleb shares his journey and the values that shape how he leads. We dive into the concept of “confident identity” - what it means, why it matters, and how it impacts performance far beyond the court. This conversation challenges the idea that results come first and instead explores how mindset, belief, and self-awareness create lasting growth. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a college beach volleyball athlete, including training, travel, recovery, and the demands that come with competing at the next level. Join us back next week to hear more! 📝 Show Notes What “confident identity” means and why it mattersWhy performance should come after identity, not beforeHelping athletes separate who they are from resultsWhat college beach volleyball actually looks like week to weekTravel, training, and recovery at the college levelCommon misconceptions about beach volleyball

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  4. ١ أبريل

    Looking Back with Merritt Beason (Part 2): Leadership, Confidence & the Mental Game

    As our season continues and teams head into qualifiers, we’re revisiting Part 2 of our conversation with United Club Ambassador, Merritt Beason - now playing professionally with the Omaha Supernovas! In this episode, Merritt shifts the conversation from recruiting to what it actually takes to grow and sustain success at a high level. She also gives a real look into routines, preparation, and how she stays grounded - even in the biggest moments. She shares insight on: The mental side of the game and why it’s often overlookedWhat confidence actually looks like - and how to build itLearning how to advocate for yourself and “hold your space”What people don’t talk about when it comes to high-level athletesWhy relationships and trust matter in high-pressure moments

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  5. ٢٥ مارس

    Looking Back with Merritt Beason (Part 1): Recruiting, Identity & Finding Your Way

    We’re in the middle of a busy stretch of the season - travel, qualifiers, and everything that comes with it. So this week, we’re revisiting a conversation that speaks to more than just performance. In Part 1 with United Club Ambassador Merritt Beason (now with the Omaha Supernovas), we talk about recruiting, pressure, identity, and what it looks like when success doesn’t always feel like success. Merritt shares her experience navigating the highs and lows of the game - and what it took to find her way back to loving it. If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations, uncertainty in recruiting, or just the ups and downs of being an athlete, this one will resonate.

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  6. ١٨ مارس

    Aija Abele on Culture, Coaching, and the Work Athletes Don’t See (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Aija, she shares what she thought coaching would be when she first started versus what the role has actually become two years in. From reflection and responsibility to fairness, team culture, and the mental side of performance, she offers a thoughtful look at the work coaches carry long after practice ends. We talk about what athletes often don’t realize coaches are thinking about, how to balance fairness with what a team needs in the moment, how to respond when energy drops, and what it really takes to build a unified culture when skill levels vary across a roster. This conversation also gets to the heart of what “Better Together” really means - not just as a club phrase, but as a way of leading, growing, and showing up for the people around you. In this episode, we cover: • What coaching actually is versus what Aija thought it would be • Why coaching is so much more mental and relational than most people realize • The reflection process coaches go through after practices and tournaments • Leading by example and asking athletes to do only what you’re willing to do yourself • Balancing fairness, kindness, momentum, and development • What players think coaches notice - and what coaches are actually watching • How to respond when a team’s energy drops • Building trust and culture across different personalities, ages, and skill levels

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  7. ١١ مارس

    Why Aren’t You Coaching? The Conversation That Started Aija Abele’s Coaching Journey (Part 1)

    United 16 Black coach Aija Abele shares the story behind how she found her way into coaching - and it wasn’t something she originally planned. Aija grew up in a Latvian-American household, spending her early years moving between countries before eventually landing in North Alabama. She reflects on how those experiences shaped her identity, her perspective on learning, and the way she now approaches leadership. We also dive into her volleyball journey - from playing at Bob Jones High School to competing in college club volleyball at the University of Alabama. What began as a leadership role on her college team eventually turned into her first real experience navigating the responsibilities of coaching. Aija also shares the moment that nudged her toward the sideline - a simple question during an adult open gym that forced her to reconsider what her next chapter in volleyball might look like. In this episode we talk about: • Growing up between cultures as a Latvian-American • Moving internationally before settling in North Alabama • Her playing career and college club volleyball experience • The unexpected leadership lessons from running a college club team • Finding community through volleyball after college • The conversation that ultimately led her to coaching In Part 2, we shift the conversation toward the realities of coaching - from managing pressure and team dynamics to building culture and helping athletes grow both on and off the court.

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  8. ٤ مارس

    No More Walking on Eggshells: Chloe Walker on Building Confidence in Young Athletes

    Chloe Walker is a United alum, first-year coach in our Locals program, and a young professional building her career through a salon apprenticeship at Huntsville Hair Company. In this conversation, Chloe shares what it feels like to go full circle - from being coached at United to now stepping onto the sideline herself. You’ll also hear practical insight on creating team culture fast (consistency, communication, small compliments), helping athletes stop apologizing for mistakes, and why progress often looks like “messing up” first. Chloe connects those lessons to real life, opening up about choosing a non-traditional path after high school, navigating expectations, and embracing the mindset shift that’s carried her through volleyball and her professional life: “I don’t have to be here - I get to be here.” In this episode, we cover: • Coaching different personalities (quiet vs. loud) and helping a team connect • Creating a low-pressure gym: “there are no stupid questions” • Growth mindset in action: why she tells athletes not to apologize for mistakes • Progress over perfection - and why “it gets worse before it gets better” • Lessons from the salon: relationships, consistency, professionalism, and uncomfortable growth • Choosing a non-traditional path after graduation and trusting your own timeline

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مشاهدة الكل (٩٠)

حول

A United podcast centered around athlete development, coaching philosophies, the college recruitment process, and more! Hosted by Korohen Jones, Director of Player and Coach Development. Each week we showcase different athletes, alumni, and coaches that all help us become #bettertogether.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    United Volleyball
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٤ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ٩٠
  • التقييم
    ملائم

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