Better Together

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.