Better Together

Evaluations are here, and with them come excitement, nerves, and plenty of questions. In Part 2 of our Ask the Directors series, Korohen and Scott shift the conversation from how evaluations work to how athletes and families can make the most of the experience. They discuss: • Why the right team is often more important than the highest team • How athletes can prepare mentally and physically for ev...

Scott and Korohen answer the biggest questions families ask before evaluations - from how athletes are assessed to what coaches are actually looking for. Evaluation season is almost here, and with it comes a lot of questions—and a lot of nerves. In Part 1 of this Ask the Directors series, Scott and Korohen take listeners behind the scenes of United's evaluation process to explain how teams are for...

Sophie Krichev is back on Better Together. When Sophie first joined the podcast, she was preparing to begin her collegiate volleyball career at UT Arlington. Now, after completing her freshman season, she returns to share what life at the Division I level has really been like. From adjusting to college athletics and building confidence as a freshman starter to navigating life away from home and de...

Summer can feel like a race to fit everything in - camps, clinics, workouts, open gyms, vacations, jobs, and more. But does being busier actually help athletes improve? In this solo episode, Korohen challenges athletes and families to rethink what productive summer training really looks like. Instead of chasing every opportunity, he shares why the most successful athletes often focus on a few inte...

Continuing our conversation with United Birmingham Director Ryan Freeburg, we dive into recruiting, player development, exposure, and the future of volleyball in Alabama. Ryan shares his perspective as both a club director and Division I coach, discussing what helps athletes get recruited, why exposure matters, the importance of skill development at younger ages, and the challenges that can come f...

One year after launching United Birmingham, we sit down with Club Director Ryan Freeburg to reflect on what the journey has been like so far. Ryan shares the challenges and rewards of building a club from the ground up, creating a healthy environment for athletes and families, developing coaches, and establishing a culture centered around growth, trust, and teamwork. We also discuss the unique lan...

In part two of our conversation with longtime coach Perry Robinson, we dive into the mental side of volleyball and athlete development. Perry shares perspective on confidence, pressure, perfectionism, reset rituals, and what often holds athletes back mentally both in practice and competition. We also discuss overtraining, meaningful reps versus simply logging hours, coachability, leadership, and h...

Korohen and I recently sat down in Birmingham with longtime coach Perry Robinson, head coach at Pelham High School and coach for United Birmingham. With nearly three decades of coaching experience across the college, club, and high school levels, Perry shares insight into how his approach to coaching has evolved over the years and why relationships, patience, and perspective matter so much in athl...

Continuing our conversation with UAB Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg, she shares insight into the recruiting process from a Division I coach’s perspective, including what truly stands out during recruiting, the difference between potential and consistency, common mistakes athletes make, and what players can do to better prepare for the next level. We also dive into the mental side of college...

In Part 1 of our conversation with UAB Head Volleyball Coach Betsy Freeburg, we sit down inside her office at UAB to talk through her journey from player to Division I head coach. Betsy shares how she accidentally found volleyball, what led her to Florida, the adversity she faced early in her college career, and how those experiences ultimately shaped her into the coach and leader she is today. We...

This week we’re bringing back one of our most helpful conversations around the college recruiting process with United coach Alicia Krichev. If recruiting has ever felt confusing, overwhelming, or like you’re falling behind, this episode is for you. We talk through what the process actually looks like today, including timelines, the impact of the transfer portal, and why most athletes don’t hear fr...

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...

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 a...

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 t...

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 s...

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....

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...

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 approache...

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,...

Coaching can feel overwhelming - especially when no one ever showed you where to start. In this short episode, Korohen shares the five foundations she wishes someone had laid out when she first stepped into the gym: why skill comes before system, how to coach the age in front of you, how to choose systems based on your athletes, why culture is built early, and how clear communication prevents most...

In the final part of our three-part conversation with Dr. Amanda Aguilar, we focus on the role clubs play in shaping culture, communication, and expectations - and how partnership between families and organizations supports both athlete development and family well-being. We discuss the importance of transparency, role clarity, holistic support, and creating environments where athletes can grow not...

In Part 2 of our three-part series with Dr. Amanda Aguilar (UAH), we focus on one of the most important dynamics in youth sports: the difference between supportive parenting and performance pressure. This conversation explores how parents’ words, emotions, and expectations shape an athlete’s experience - from the car ride home to sideline behavior and everyday communication. We also discuss burnou...

In this first part of a three-part conversation, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Aguilar , a professor in the Sport and Fitness Management program at University of Alabama in Huntsville , to explore how youth sports impact not just the athlete — but the entire family. Dr. Aguilar brings a unique perspective as a former college athlete, high school coach, parent of four, and youth sport researcher. Tog...

In part two of our conversation with United 16 Blue head coach Jeff Norman , we dive deeper into how coaches can build confidence while still challenging athletes to grow and compete. Jeff shares how creating a safe, growth-focused environment allows players to take risks, try new skills, and improve long-term - rather than staying stuck in what feels comfortable. We explore the impact of effort-b...

In this episode of Better Together , we sit down with United 16 Blue head coach Jeff Norman to talk about what it truly means to coach with purpose. Jeff shares his unique path into volleyball and how starting without prior volleyball experience shaped the way he approaches teaching, learning, and player development. We dive into servant leadership, fear-based versus love-based coaching, and how c...