Episode show notes (chronological newest episode to latest).
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Episode 13 - Caitlin T Show Notes (Part 2)
We touch on Caitlin’s coaching journey and the challenging transition of going from being an athlete to a coach.
She expresses the benefit of trial and error - and giving your players the chance to find the flow.
We learn what Coach Caitlin believes are attributes that a good teammate possesses - and how these can show up differently in different athletes.
She tells us what inspired her to play volleyball in the first place as well as what led her into pursuing coaching.
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Episode 12 - Caitlin T Show Notes (Part 1)
Caitlin walks us through her recruitment journey – making her own highlight videos, reaching out to schools, touring a few of her top choices, and how she ended up at Belhaven.
We cover some of the decisions and sacrifices she made to play at the next level.
She tells us about the different positions she’s played during the course of her college career – and how staying open to these opportunities were beneficial to her growth.
We discuss the positive mindset a connection huddle can bring about and hyping up your teammates
Caitlin shares a phrase that helps to center herself in high pressure moments.
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Episode 11 - Korohen Jones Solo Show Notes
We have our first solo episode this week where our host KJ discusses all things regarding serving - specifically mindset mastering and executing high-level serves under pressure.
We begin with the fundamentals of serving - key elements and common mistakes.
She goes into detail about the importance of mental training - and how this is equally crucial. We touch on visualization, staying present, distractions, as well as routine and rituals.
Korohen then covers the topic of building confidence and overcoming pressure as well as strategies that may be utilized to handle these situations - such as focusing on your routine, the ‘next play’ mentality, and remembering that making mistakes is part of the game.
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Episode 10 - Lydia Hitchcock Show Notes (Part 2)
We discuss failure and how it can take a toll on you mentally but with perseverance and dedication you can experience immense growth - being present in the moment and allowing yourself to feel those feelings but then taking initiative to push yourself and reach your goals!
Lydia tells us how she stays focused and motivated when it comes to her goals. Motivation comes and goes - this is where discipline comes in.
We hear about the personal sacrifices that she has made in order to pursue her volleyball journey - and how giving these up taught her new things.
She tells us important qualities that she believes creates success in volleyball and how she cultivates this in herself and others - the energy that you bring and create, and being a good teammate.
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Episode 9 - Lydia Hitchcock Show Notes (Part 1)
Lydia shares the details of her unique recruiting story - and her journey from Itawamba Community College to Huntingdon. She touches on how attending a junior college allowed her the opportunity to gain experience that coaches were looking for.
We discuss the pressures of a college athlete and how she combats these - specifically mental health.
She tells us how time management made such a difference in helping her determine her own schedule and how utilizing DND on your phone at times can be more beneficial than you think.
Lydia tells us about her beach volleyball experience - the physicality/mentality differences and how this increased her speed and vertical.
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Episode 8 - Lydia Compton Show Notes
Lydia and Korohen discuss her experience as a player and what led her into coaching.
We touch on the importance of the culture we strive to provide at United and how a player’s value and worth is not found in volleyball.
Lydia explains how she creates an environment where her team can challenge themselves without fear of failure and how fostering that type of space creates opportunity for them to work through the mental aspect of overcoming hurdles together.
We discuss what Lydia feels is the most important skill in volleyball and how she intends on building chemistry and trust with her players.
Lydia explains that getting to know your players is important when it comes to the ability to teach valuable lessons through losses.
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Episode 7 - Gracie Lynn Show Notes (Part 2)
GL tells us a bit about reflection exercises and how she benefits from them.
We discuss team bonding and cultivating times just to enjoy the present.
We hear her thoughts on what is expected of a college athlete, the pressures involved, and being grounded in who you are.
She tells us about her biggest challenge as an athlete - and how she has overcome this.
GL shares some golden nuggets of advice when it comes to furthering your volleyball journey and a few things that aspiring athletes can do that help bring about positive growth.
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Episode 6 - Gracie Lynn Show Notes (Part 1)
We hear about Gracie Lynn’s experience with recruitment and what led her to committing in the fall of her junior year - choosing to continue her volleyball journey at Samford.
How the entirety of recruitment can be an overwhelming but rewarding process.
The importance of enjoying the overall campus environment rather than just the athletics program you are joining - you must love what you represent!
She touches on some tough decisions that are necessary when committing to a higher level of play - and the difference that sleep, nutrition, and stress management makes in the days leading up to games.
We discuss the impact of coaches who genuinely believe in their players - the knowledge she gains along the way from each coach and how over time combining all she has learned plays a huge part in the athlete she has become.
She explains that managing your emotions requires a lot of effort yet results in important growth. Emotions have a time and place and can contribute electricity to competition, yet not every emotion belongs in every moment.
Teammates process emotions differently - and this is okay! Not everyone processes like you, but everyone processes. Passion for the game can be expressed in many different ways.
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Episode 5 - Kennedy Vaughn Show Notes
Kennedy explains the process she went through in recruiting and how she decided she wanted to commit to UAB.
She tells us how volleyball has taught her to be selfless and confident - and how mistakes are not something to be hyper-focused on. We may acknowledge them, learn from them, and not allow these bad moments to turn into bad days.
We talk about how leaning on positive affirmations allows her to maintain focus and discipline and the importance of a positive mindset
How internal and external distractions affect her - and how she combats these with that idea of holding a positive mindset
How she approaches practices on days where she is feeling unmotivated
We touch on her thoughts about the difference between hindering and helpful advice
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Episode 4 - Michelle Mitchell Show Notes
Amidst our 2025 club season evaluations, Coach Korohen sits down with United VB Registrar Michelle Mitchell. We discuss lots of FAQs - our upcoming Signing Day, fall and winter offerings at United, our UU membership, and SRVA Registration.
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Episode 3 - Eevy Bellar Show Notes
Eevy explains that her recruitment story was a rather quick process - and how after her campus visit she knew that CIU was where she wanted to continue her journey after graduating.
She tells us how being in tune with those around her as well as being a vocal leader impacts her ability to manage frustration and agitation between teammates - and how reconnecting in these moments can provide calmness.
The importance of encouragement - whether this is what she is needing individually, providing this to teammates, and how it allows you to get in the right mindset before a game.
How immediate feedback after mistakes occur can lead to positive outcomes and the importance of communication
We dive into her thoughts on balancing hard work and having fun during practices
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Episode 2 - Lauren Burrell Show Notes
Lauren tells us about her experience with the recruitment process and how this led to her committing to Union the fall of her senior year.
She provides advice for younger athletes who are interested in playing volleyball at the next level - such as having a strong work ethic, being the best teammate you can be, and being adaptable.
We discuss how she stays motivated and focused on her goals, her core values, and remembering who she is playing for.
The impactful role that coaches and mentors have played in her volleyball journey
She tells us how she handles the pressures and expectations of being a college athlete, why time management is so important, and how important communication is with your coaches and professors.
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Episode 1 - KeAra Bowen Show Notes
We get the details on her recruitment process as she committed to play volleyball at Winthrop University in South Carolina.
How consistency from Winthrop’s head coach and diving deep into the campus atmosphere played into her decision of committing to play at a higher level
She explains how selflessness is an important quality in being a good teammate
The effect of connection and chemistry within a team and how this helps create an environment to build strong relationships
The sacrifices and discipline required to play at a National level in club ball during your junior/senior years of high school
How she (individually and with her teammates) handle big pressure moments during tournaments and prepare for game play
How constructive criticism and calm encouragement are beneficial during a timeout
