Better Together

What did it take to build opportunities for female athletes when so many of the doors were still closed?In Part 2 of our conversation with Hall of Fame volleyball coach Sherry Ammons takes us back to the early years of girls' athletics in Huntsville and the challenges that came with building competitive programs during and after the introduction of Title IX.Sherry shares stories from her early coaching years at Grissom High School, when volleyball competitions were just beginning to take shape, equipment was improvised, and coaches sometimes had to officiate their own matches. She also recalls standing up for her athletes when their practices were interrupted, fighting for access to facilities, and navigating a school athletics environment where women rarely had a seat at the table.Throughout the conversation, Sherry recognizes the coaches and advocates who helped move women's sports forward, reflects on the sacrifices her athletes made, and shares memories of the remarkable young women she had the opportunity to coach.From the early struggles for gym space and resources to today's packed arenas, Sherry offers a firsthand perspective on just how far women's athletics have come - and why those opportunities should never be taken for granted.

What was volleyball like before girls had the opportunities to compete that we know today?In Part 1 of a special Better Together conversation, host Korohen Jones sits down with her former high school coach, Hall of Fame volleyball coach Sherry Ammons, to look back at the early days of women's athletics and the people who helped pave the way.Sherry shares what it was like growing up before Title IX, when opportunities for female athletes were limited and even the chance to compete against another school was something worth celebrating. From her earliest experiences playing volleyball in Mobile to her collegiate years at Montevallo, she reflects on the teachers, coaches, and advocates who recognized the potential of women in sports and worked to create opportunities where few existed.Along the way, Sherry shares unforgettable stories about early volleyball uniforms, challenging expectations for women, and winning a collegiate state championship.It's a look at how far the game has come, the women who helped move it forward, and why understanding that history matters for the generations of athletes playing today.

In Part 3 of our conversation with Maycor Carrion, we're taking a closer look at the game behind the game.As an Assistant Coach and Technical Coordinator at Alabama A&M, Maycor gives us a behind-the-scenes look at scouting opponents, studying player tendencies, and using film and data to prepare athletes for competition. He shares what coaches notice that spectators might miss and how strategy can influence the outcome of a match long before the final point.We also explore why statistics don't always tell the full story of an athlete, what coaches look for in high-pressure situations, and the challenges of making decisions from the sidelines rather than being on the court.Maycor shares what drew him to United, his excitement about coaching both boys and girls this upcoming season, and how his experiences across different countries and programs have shaped his understanding of the game.To close out our conversation, Maycor reflects on the relationships, cultures, and opportunities volleyball has brought into his life and what it truly means to be Better Together.

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 libero, the importance of reading opposing teams and recognizing tendencies, and why great defensive players contribute far more than passing and digging.We also explore how his early coaching experience changed the way he approaches the game, helping him see the bigger picture, make adjustments, and understand volleyball from an entirely new perspective.Whether you're an athlete looking to elevate your volleyball IQ or a coach helping players develop their confidence and communication, this conversation offers valuable insight into what it takes to grow beyond the fundamentals.

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 playing and studying in the United States, and the work and sacrifice it took to turn that goal into reality. From Trinity Christian to Oakland City, collegiate player to coach, and now Assistant Coach and Technical Coordinator at Alabama A&M, each step has given him a new perspective on the game.We also talk about the growth of boys volleyball, the importance of building connections, and why your volleyball journey doesn't have to end with your final match.Plus, Maycor gets candid about his own college recruiting experience, from sending nearly 100 emails to coaches to navigating scholarships, academics, highlight videos, and the realities athletes should consider when deciding where they want to play.Now joining the coaching staff at United, Maycor brings a unique perspective and a passion for creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

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 challenged her to adjust her approach and focus on giving each athlete an experience they could be proud of. She shares why player-coach relationships and mental check-ins have become such an important part of her coaching, and how her definition of a successful season has evolved beyond simply wins and losses.We also look ahead to her upcoming season with 17 Blue, the areas where she's still challenging herself to grow, and why building relationships and team chemistry starts long before the first match.And to close it out, Coach Kae shares what Better Together means to her after growing alongside United from nearly the beginning.

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 what she calls a “positive distraction” during an important season of her life.Coach Kae shares how she made the transition from player to coach, what she learned by starting as an assistant and simply being willing to observe, and how she's grown from a timid young coach trying to find her voice into a confident head coach and United's 2026 Coach of the Year.She and Korohen also talk about the confidence that comes with experience, why making mistakes is part of becoming a better coach, and one of the biggest lessons Coach Kae learned during her first season as a head coach: let athletes be proud of themselves, have fun, and enjoy the moments they've worked for.This is Part 1 of our conversation with Coach Kae. Stay tuned for Part 2!

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.From navigating the process as a family and starting recruiting later than expected, to choosing a school based on academics and finding an unexpected way back to the game, these stories are a reminder that recruiting doesn’t have to follow one specific timeline or formula.Whether you’re just beginning the process, somewhere in the middle of it, or wondering if your journey looks different from everyone else’s, this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and a reminder to focus on finding the path that fits you.

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 from the coaches’ side.From getting noticed and communicating with coaches to highlight film, grades, finding the right fit, and the qualities that matter beyond talent, these three coaches share insight every athlete and parent navigating the recruiting process should hear.Whether college volleyball is a future goal or recruiting is already underway, this episode is full of practical advice to help you approach the process with more confidence and intention.

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 level made this feel like the right place for her.We also go behind the scenes of great programming and talk about what parents may not always see: the planning, adapting, problem-solving, and heart that go into creating an environment where athletes can learn, grow, and feel safe enough to make mistakes.Plus, Celeste shares what she's most excited to grow at United and what "Better Together" means to her, not only for athletes, but for coaches who are willing to learn from one another, share what they know, and continue raising the level of the game together.We're so excited to have Celeste as part of the United family and can't wait to see the impact she'll make in the gym this season!