S2E23- Beth Van Fleet

Billy Allen is the Assistant Coach and Player Development Coordinator for Stanford Beach Volleyball. Since joining in 2023, he has helped guide the Cardinal to record-breaking seasons, including their first MPSF championship and multiple AVCA All-American honors. A former three-time AVP champion and member of the USA Beach National Team, Allen brings elite playing experience along with a strong coaching background at the club, collegiate, and professional levels. He is also the co-host of the Coach Your Brains Out podcast and author of two coaching books.

Angie Akers is the Associate Head Coach of the Texas Longhorns beach volleyball team. A former elite collegiate and professional beach volleyball player, Angie began her coaching career internationally with the Dutch national teams, including at the Rio Olympics, and reached the pinnacle as head coach of the USA’s gold-medal-winning duo at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. After two successful seasons as Assistant Head Coach at Loyola Marymount—where she helped secure back-to-back conference championships—she joined Texas in 2023 and was promoted in 2025. Since her arrival, the Longhorns have captured their first-ever CCSA title and earned a spot in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Known for her athlete-first approach and dedicated mentorship, Angie is deeply respected for both her competitive insight and her ability to build character on and off the sand. A Notre Dame alumna, she still holds school records in aces and kills and even completed the 2001 Boston Marathon in 3:24. Married to former Notre Dame football standout Jeremy Akers, she brings elite-level experience, leadership, and a passion for holistic athlete development to the Forty Acres.

Dan Stephens, Head Beach Volleyball Coach at Corban University, has been instrumental in building the Warriors into a national powerhouse since the program’s launch in 2020. After serving as an assistant, he took over as head coach in 2023 and quickly led the team to multiple Cascade Collegiate Conference titles, national tournament runs, and a 49–7 overall record. Named the 2025 CCC Coach of the Year, Stephens emphasizes fundamentals, hard work, and spiritual growth, fostering both athletic excellence and character development in his athletes. A longtime volleyball competitor and club coach, as well as a successful business owner, he brings decades of experience and leadership to the program.

Kelly Reeves is in her second season as an assistant coach with UCLA Beach Volleyball, returning to Westwood where she made history as a Bruin. As a player, she helped UCLA win the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championship and became the program’s first beach All-American in 2013.Her coaching journey has taken her through the club, collegiate, and national ranks—including guiding LMU to its best-ever NCAA finish and being recognized on the AVCA “Thirty Under 30” list. Now back at her alma mater, Kelly brings championship experience, a passion for player development, and a unique perspective as both a decorated player and rising coach in the beach volleyball world.

On our 100th episode published we brought back a hard hitter! Beth Van Fleet! Need I say more... its always an amazing conversation with Beth!

Michael Henchy is an Assistant Coach for Penn State Women’s Volleyball, entering his second season after helping lead the team to a national championship in 2024. He previously served as Associate Head Coach at James Madison, guiding them to NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sun Belt title. Henchy has also coached at American University and Springfield College, where he won AVCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019.As a player, he was a standout at Ohio State University, a two-year captain, and later played professionally in Greece. He holds a bachelor's in communications from Ohio State and a master’s in coaching from Springfield College. Henchy brings strong leadership, player development skills, and championship experience to the Penn State program.

Josh and Rachel Marsh lead Mercer University’s beach volleyball program as a dynamic husband-and-wife coaching duo. Josh, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and AVP competitor, took over as head coach in 2019 and quickly guided the Bears to multiple conference championships, while also emphasizing academic excellence. Rachel, who joined the staff in 2024, brings over a decade of coaching experience across youth, high school, and club levels, with a strong track record of player development. Together, the Marshes bring a disciplined, player-centered approach rooted in leadership, growth, and a shared passion for the game.

Alex Luna is the assistant coach for Boise State's beach volleyball team. He joined the program in 2024 and helped lead the Broncos to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and Southland Conference title. Before Boise State, Luna founded and coached the beach program at Stephen F. Austin, earned two AVCA 30 Under 30 honors, and spent a season at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks reach new milestones.He also works with the USA Beach National Team Development Program and has professional experience in the AVP and Volleyball League of America. Luna holds degrees in Psychology and Marketing from UT Dallas, where he played indoor volleyball and baseball.

Ashley Emery is the head coach of Missouri State Beach Volleyball, where she’s quickly built a competitive and record-setting program since taking over in 2022. Under her leadership, the Bears posted a historic 26-win season in 2024 and earned back-to-back Conference USA postseason appearances. A former collegiate standout at Southwest Baptist and experienced coach at the high school and college levels, Emery brings a player-first approach and a proven ability to develop both talent and culture on and off the sand.SUBSCRIBE:https://www.youtube.com/@UCpUJHPUbdaw6tT_5A7d6gVA https://open.spotify.com/show/3YJcjINBNRfV8s6QManQqnhttps://www.instagram.com/coaches_on_the_beach/

Chris Flood is an Assistant Development Coach with USA Beach Volleyball, bringing a wealth of experience from youth to Olympic-level coaching. He previously coached at Pepperdine University, led powerhouse high school and club programs, and helped Team Canada to a top-5 finish at the Tokyo Olympics. Known for his technical precision, video analysis expertise, and athlete-centered approach, Flood emphasizes mental toughness, teamwork, and making practice harder than the game. His coaching philosophy centers on helping athletes understand the “why” behind their actions to foster lasting development and performance.SUBSCRIBE:https://www.youtube.com/@UCpUJHPUbdaw6tT_5A7d6gVA https://open.spotify.com/show/3YJcjINBNRfV8s6QManQqnhttps://www.instagram.com/coaches_on_the_beach/WHAT TO WACTH/LISTEN TO NEXT:VIDEO CHAPTERS:0:00 - Welcome Back...3:35 - Chris's Start into Beach8:03 - Look into a Pro Schedule17:51 - Training Pattern23:28 - Coach Translation from Pro to NCAA26:50 - Better Decision Making32:20 - Conveying Important Information36:14 - What do you want to see next