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 formed, what coaches are actually evaluating, and why the process is designed the way it is.They discuss:• Why evaluations now happen in the summer• What coaches are really looking for beyond volleyball skills• How communication, coachability, and competitiveness influence evaluations• Common misconceptions parents have about team selection• Why one mistake won't ruin an evaluation• What happens behind the scenes before athletes ever step into the gymWhether this is your family's first evaluation season or your tenth, this episode offers practical insight to help athletes walk into the gym with confidence.Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2, where Scott and Korohen answer even more of your biggest evaluation questions!

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 developing strong relationships with teammates, Sophie offers an honest look at the transition from club volleyball to college volleyball.She also shares the lessons she learned about confidence, self-talk, coachability, leadership, and why "working hard works."Whether you're a current athlete, a parent, or someone preparing for the recruiting process, Sophie's perspective offers valuable insight into what happens after the commitment announcement and what it takes to grow at the next level.

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 intentional goals, prioritize recovery, and stay committed to consistent growth.In this episode:The difference between activity and true developmentWhy athletes should focus on just 2–3 prioritiesThe role recovery plays in performance and growthHow social media can create unhealthy comparisonWhat coaches are really looking for at evaluationsA simple three-goal challenge for the rest of the summerWhether you're preparing for evaluations, school season, or simply looking to make the most of your off season, this episode offers practical advice for building a summer that leads to long-term development - not burnout.

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 from prioritizing short-term results over long-term growth.We also discuss confidence, attacking mechanics, communication, coaching philosophy, and Ryan's vision for year two of United Birmingham.In Part 2 of our conversation with Ryan, we discuss:the current state of volleyball in Alabamarecruiting and player exposurewhat college coaches are actually looking forthe importance of high-level competitionyouth skill developmentconfidence and long-term athlete growthwinning now versus developing future playersattacking mechanics and injury preventioncommunication between setters and hitterstechnical skills versus tactical strategiescoaching philosophy and player developmentRyan's vision for year two of United BirminghamWhether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation offers valuable perspective on what it takes to build better volleyball players over the long term.

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 landscape of volleyball in Birmingham, the importance of balancing individual goals with team success, and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.This conversation offers an honest look at leadership, culture, communication, and the lessons learned throughout United Birmingham's first year.

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 how coaches can better help athletes navigate mistakes and adversity.This episode is full of practical insight and honest conversation for athletes, coaches, and parents alike.Show Notes:In Part 2 of our conversation with Perry Robinson, we explore:confidence and whether it can be trainedhelping athletes manage negative thoughtsreset rituals and mental recovery during matchesperfectionism in athletesmeaningful reps vs overtrainingwhat truly makes a player coachableleadership and player ownershipbalancing emotion and composure as a coachthe mental side of competition and developmentbuilding stronger athletes through communication and trust

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 athlete development.Throughout the conversation, we dive into player growth, navigating frustration, building trust with athletes, creating healthy team environments, and what both players and young coaches often overlook when it comes to long term development.Perry shares:lessons learned through decades of coaching experiencehow his coaching philosophy has evolved over timethe importance of patience and long term player developmentwhy consistency and showing up matterbalancing structure, empathy, and accountability as a coachhelping athletes navigate frustration and growthadvice for younger coaches trying to find their footingwhy relationships and trust are such an important part of coachingThis episode is full of wisdom, honesty, and perspective for coaches, athletes, and parents alike.

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 volleyball, handling pressure and expectations, and the reality of transitioning from club and high school volleyball into the college game.Betsy shares insight on:recruiting the person, not just the athletewhat catches a coach’s attention during evaluationthe difference between potential and consistencycommon recruiting mistakes athletes unintentionally makewhy exposure and fit both matterwhat college coaches are really looking for in highlight videosthe mental transition from club volleyball to the college gamehow athletes can better prepare for the next levelThis conversation is full of perspective and practical takeaways for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the recruiting process!

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 also dive into:the reality of playing at a high levelhandling setbacks and delayed successidentity outside of sportsthe transition from player to coachleading a program during the uncertainty of 2020perspective shifts that changed the way she coaches todayThis conversation is honest, reflective, and full of insight for athletes, parents, and coaches alike. Join us next week as we continue the conversation!

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 from coaches right away. Alicia also shares how families can stay grounded through it all, what really matters to recruiters beyond stats, and how to support your athlete without adding pressure.Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that every athlete’s path is different. There’s no one “right” timeline, and comparison will only take you out of your own journey.If you’re an athlete or parent navigating recruiting, this is one to come back to.