Coaches on the Beach

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!

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/

Cassidi Stabile is the Associate Head Coach of Tulane Beach Volleyball, bringing over a decade of experience in player development and coaching. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she founded the first beach volleyball club in the state and has coached at every level—from youth to NCAA. Her coaching journey includes roles at Colorado Northwestern, Stephen F. Austin, and as head coach at Central Arkansas. Known for her player-first approach and passion for growing the game, she now helps lead Tulane’s rising program. SUBSCRIBE:https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@CotBPod⁩  https://open.spotify.com/show/3YJcjINBNRfV8s6QManQqnhttps://www.instagram.com/coaches_on_the_beach/CHAPTERS:0:00 - Welcome back...0:29 - Cassidi's start in beach4:26 - Albuquerque beach community11:18 - Committing to beach volleyball life16:32 - Transition to beach20:29 - Start streaming25:00 - What is next for Tulane27:25 - What is next for NCAA Beach Volleyball

Just two beach coaches talking about how to make our teams better and what our process is. We also give Colling a little beach volleyball quiz at the end!

Take a walk down memory lane as we recap the 2025 season!

Sarah Riedell is the assistant beach coach at Austin Peay State University. After a long storied beach career at Coastal Carolina University, Sarah is now giving back to the athlete's she gets to coach.

As we celebrate two years of Coaches on the Beach we take a look back at our top 10 rated episodes (according to Spotify).10. Ep 61- Steve Grotowski (3:28)9. Ep 26- Angela White (6:40)8. Ep 62- Jeff Alzina (8:02)7. Ep 10- Kristi Tekavec (9:42)6. Ep17- Alex Vernardos (11:53)5. Ep 21- Kristen Rohr (13:33)4. Ep 19- RJ Abella (14:50)3. Ep 66- Brooke Niles (18:55)2. Ep 27- Todd Rogers (21:35)Honorable Mention. Ep 9- Beth Van Fleet (24:32)Honorable Mention. Ep 25- Majo Orellana (25:27)Honorable Mention. Ep 12- Cati Leak (28:19)1. Ep 67- Daniel Foo (30:29)

Damien is the head coach at the College of Charleston

The season has built up to one weekend. Winner takes all... we are talking about the CotB Bracket Challenge! Get your brackets in here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJ6sQznsnJs3kczBoExa_LAhjdWr66hLO0zoy5PFsIOSRIpQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Its crunch time and this is what it all comes down to!

Thank you all for your continued support and listening to us just talk.

Lets discuss some NCAA Beach Volleyball as we are getting ever closer to the end of a season and crowning a national champion.

Talking NCAA Beach Volleyball week 5 recap and week 6 glance.

Talking week 4 recap and how nice a bye weekend feels!

NCAA Beach Volleyball week 3 recap and week 4 preview!