PODCAST · sports
Better Together
by United Volleyball
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.
Episodes
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Reading the Game with Maycor Carrion (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our conversation with Maycor, we're diving deeper into the game of volleyball - exploring what it means to truly understand the court, communicate with confidence, and grow as both a player and coach. Maycor shares his journey through multiple positions before finding his home as a...
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Chasing Opportunity with Maycor Carrion (Part 1)
In Part 1 of our conversation with Maycor Carrion, we go back to where his volleyball journey began in the Dominican Republic and follow the opportunities that eventually brought him all the way to Huntsville. Maycor shares how he discovered volleyball through his sister, why he set his sights on...
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More Than the Win with Kaelin Steele (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our conversation with Kaelin “Coach Kae” Steele, we dig deeper into what she's learned about coaching, success, and the importance of knowing the athletes behind the jerseys. Kaelin reflects on her Coach of the Year season with 18 White and how coaching a group with different goals...
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Finding Her Coaching Voice with Kaelin Steele (PART 1)
What happens when you accidentally walk into the wrong tryout and discover a sport that becomes a major part of your life? In Part 1 of our conversation with Kaelin “Coach Kae” Steele, we go back to where her volleyball story began, from showing up to volleyball tryouts by mistake to discovering...
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The Recruiting Journey: There’s No One Right Path
No two college recruiting journeys look exactly the same. In this special Better Together recruiting recap, we’re revisiting conversations with Alicia Krichev, Eli Hester, Audrey Cagle, and Audrey Krichev to hear four very different perspectives on finding the right path to college volleyball.…
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The Recruiting Playbook: What College Coaches Want You to Know
What do college coaches really look for during the recruiting process? In this special Better Together recruiting recap, we’re revisiting conversations with Tristan Johnson of UNA Indoor Volleyball, Kaleb VanDePerre of UNA Beach Volleyball, and Betsy Freeburg of UAB Volleyball to hear recruiting...
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The Heart Behind the Coaching with Celeste Walton (Part 3)
In the final part of our conversation with United Programming Coordinator Celeste Walton, we're bringing her story home to United. Celeste shares what ultimately brought her back to Alabama, what stood out to her about United, and why our commitment to creating opportunities for athletes at every...
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Elevate & Empower with Celeste Walton (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our conversation with United Programming Coordinator Celeste Walton, we're diving deeper into what it means to coach the athlete in front of you. Celeste and Korohen talk about the lessons that come with coaching athletes at every age, from learning patience and adaptability with...
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Finding Your Voice Through Volleyball with Celeste Walton (Part 1)
We're excited to welcome a new face to the United family! In Part 1 of our conversation with United's new Programming Coordinator, Celeste Walton, we get to know the person behind the coach and hear about the volleyball journey that ultimately brought her to United. Celeste shares how she first...
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From the Archives: Fueling Performance | Tournament Nutrition, Smart Habits, and Supporting Your Athlete with RD Alyssum Reno-Smith (Part 2)
As athletes prepare for a new season, we're continuing our look back at one of our most valuable conversations with registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith. In Part 2, Alyssum gets practical about what fueling can actually look like during a busy tournament weekend — from early morning matches…
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From the Archives: Fueling Performance | How Nutrition Shapes Focus, Energy, and Confidence with RD Alyssum Reno-Smith (Part 1)
As athletes head back into the gym and prepare for a new season, we're looking back on one of our most valuable conversations. In this archived episode, registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith joins us to discuss the powerful connection between nutrition and athletic performance. From brain...
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Finding Your Voice | Lessons Beyond the Game with Merritt Beason
We wrap up our three-part conversation with professional volleyball player and United ambassador Merritt Beason by talking about the lessons she's still learning - and the ones she hopes to pass on. From coaching young athletes and navigating difficult decisions to confidence, accountability,...
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The Work You Don't See: Merritt Beason on Confidence, Recovery & Giving Yourself Grace
In Part 2 of our conversation with Merritt Beason, we go even deeper into what life really looks like as a professional volleyball player. From long travel days and recovery routines to nutrition, self-care, and learning to give yourself grace, Merritt shares the parts of professional volleyball...
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Merritt Beason on Confidence, Growth & the Reality of Playing Pro (Part 1)
This week on Better Together, we're joined once again by United ambassador and professional volleyball player Merritt Beason. Fresh off another day in the gym with our athletes, Merritt sits down with Korohen to reflect on everything that's happened over the past year, from coaching and mentoring...
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Ask the Directors: Evaluation Day & Finding the Right Fit (Part 2)
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…
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Ask the Directors: What Really Happens at Volleyball Evaluations? (Part 1)
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…
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"Working Hard Works": Sophie Krichev Reflects on Her Freshman Season at UT Arlington
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...
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Winning the Summer: Why Doing More Isn't Always Better with Korohen Jones
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....
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Playing the Long Game: Building Better Athletes with Ryan Freeburg PART 2
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...
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One Year Later: Building United Birmingham with Ryan Freeburg PART 1
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,...
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The Mental Side of Volleyball with Perry Robinson
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...
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The Human Side of Coaching with Perry Robinson
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...
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What College Coaches Actually Look For in Recruiting with UAB Head Coach Betsy Freeburg | Part 2
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...
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Betsy Freeburg on Perseverance, Leadership, and Becoming UAB’s Head Volleyball Coach
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...
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Volleyball Recruiting Tips: What Athletes and Parents Need to Know with Alicia Krichev
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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Where Most Volleyball Coaches Get Stuck - And Where to Start (with Korohen Jones)
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…
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Where Athletes, Families, and Clubs Align - with Dr. Amanda Aguilar (Part 3)
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...
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Support vs. Pressure: Helping Athletes Grow Without the Weight of Expectation — with Dr. Amanda Aguilar (Part 2)
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...
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Beyond the Athlete: Family Dynamics in Youth Sports with Dr. Amanda Aguilar (Part 1)
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...
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Creating Confidence: Jeff Norman on Effort, Environment, and Athlete Belief - PART 2
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...
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One Point at a Time: Jeff Norman on Coaching with Purpose, Love, and Intention - PART 1
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...
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Fueling Through the Season: Planning, Habits, and Performance Nutrition for Volleyball Athletes (Part 2)
In part two of our conversation with registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith, we zoom out and tackle what fueling looks like across an entire volleyball season - especially from a parent’s perspective. Through real tournament scenarios, age-specific examples, and audience-submitted questions,...
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Fueling the Mind: How Nutrition Impacts Nerves, Focus, and Performance with RD Alyssum Reno-Smith (Part 1)
What if some of the nerves, brain fog, and missed decisions on the court aren’t about skill - but about fueling? In part one of our conversation with registered dietitian Alyssum Reno-Smith, we dig into how nutrition directly impacts the nervous system, focus, confidence, and in-game decision...
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Ask The Directors: Making the Journey Easier - PART 3
In Part 3, the final episode of our Ask the Directors series, Coach Korohen and Coach Scott bring the conversation full circle with practical advice, reflection, and a little fun. They start by sharing simple but impactful ways parents can make tournament weekends easier and less stressful for...
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Ask the Directors: Supporting the Whole Athlete - PART 2
In Part 2 of our Ask the Directors series, we shift the focus from the court to the bigger picture - how to support young athletes in a healthy, sustainable way. This episode dives into multi-sport participation, how parents can encourage skill development without burnout, and what meaningful...
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Ask The Directors: Playing Time, Placement & Growth - PART 1
In this episode, we kick off our second Ask the Directors series - shaped entirely by questions from our United families and athletes. You asked thoughtful, honest questions and today, our directors are sitting down to talk through them. This conversation offers transparency, context, and insight...
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Grateful to Be Better Together
This week, we’re gathering the voices that have shaped Better Together from the beginning. In honor of Thanksgiving, we pulled answers to one question we ask every guest - “What does it mean to be better together?” - from across both seasons. It’s a celebration of the people, stories, and shared...
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Play with Joy: An Approach to Building Confident Young Athletes with Scott Ingwersen
Coach Scott Ingwersen brings a calm, encouraging, and joy-centered approach to coaching - and it shows in how his athletes respond to him. In this episode, Scott shares how he got started, how coaching his daughters shaped his “why,” and why building confident, fearless, joy-filled players…
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United in Service: Making an Impact Beyond the Court
In this episode, we’re joined by Scott Jones and Alex Owen to share the story behind United in Service - our new initiative connecting athletes and families through giving back. Together, we explore how the program came to life, why community involvement matters, and how serving others builds...
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Revisiting the Recruitment Journey: How United Athletes Found Their Fit
As many of our former United athletes near the end of their first college volleyball seasons, we’re taking a look back at where their journeys began - the recruitment process. This episode revisits their original conversations from last season, where they shared how they found their fit, made…
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Better Together: Building Stronger, Safer Athletes with SportsMED & Triple Threat Performance (PART 2)
In Part 2 of our partnership announcement series with SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center and Triple Threat Performance, we’re diving deeper into how this collaboration will elevate the health, safety, and performance of our United athletes. Our conversation covers what parents, coaches,...
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Better Together: United Partners with SportsMED & Triple Threat to Elevate Athlete Care (PART 1)
United Volleyball has partnered with SportsMED and Triple Threat Performance to bring next-level care and training to our athletes. From injury prevention and same-day appointments to performance strength training and return-to-sport recovery, this partnership is built to keep players healthy,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
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United Volleyball
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Better Together have?
Better Together currently has 114 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Better Together about?
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.
How often does Better Together release new episodes?
Better Together publishes regularly with 114 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Better Together?
You can listen to Better Together on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Better Together?
Better Together is created and hosted by United Volleyball.
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