Beyond the Court: A LOVB Podcast

Leadership, Feedback & Athlete Growth from LOVB San Francisco Head Coach Alfee Reft

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Courtney Thompson, alfee reft) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

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Join us as we build the LOVB community as we grow the sport of volleyball.

Player Development & Team Culture with Brian Keefe of Washington Wizards

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Brian Keefe, Courtney Thompson) — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Beyond the Court, hosted by Olympic medalist Courtney Thompson, we’re joined by Brian Keefe, Head Coach of the Washington Wizards. Brian shares insights from the highest levels of professional sports on what it takes to develop athletes and build sustainable success. From designing training environments to building habits that last, this conversation explores the mindset behind elite performance and strong team culture. In this episode: ➡️Player development and designing training environments that support long-term growth ➡️The importance of consistency, habits, and resilience in all levels of sport ➡️Building team culture and finding people who genuinely love the game, love their craft, and want to get better every day while helping their team do the same ➡️The responsibility of being a great teammate and consistently showing up for the people around you ➡️Brian’s perspective as a volleyball dad (his daughter plays at Tstreet Volleyball Club) and what he’s learned about the sport ➡️His hopes for youth coaching across sports in the U.S. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or fan of the game, this conversation offers lessons that go far beyond the court.

How Youth Volleyball can Move Forward

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Season 2, Episode 4 of the Beyond the Court podcast with host Courtney Thompson brings in big volleyball names to chat about volleyball over time, the hopes for youth volleyball moving forward, and navigating parenthood as a former athlete turned coach. In this episode: ➡️Troy Tanner (Former Olympian & Tstreet Club Director) speaks on what youth athletes overlook in training, a little history on men’s Olympic volleyball, and parenting in the NIL era ➡️Erik Sullivan’s (Head Coach of USAV Women’s Volleyball & LOVB Austin) thoughts on being the first men’s national team libero, navigating being a coach and a parent, and hopes for the state of junior volleyball ➡️Mike (NFL Veteran) and Lindsay Rosenthal (LOVB Foundation) talk about being a volleyball parent as a former elite athlete and on how the LOVB Foundation is impacting junior volleyball and youth lives 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations like this →Follow LOVB for more content!!!← IG: @lovb @lovbclubs @lovbcoaches TT: @lovb @lovbclubs One League. For Youth. For Pro. For Life. 🏐 Join us as we build the LOVB community as we grow the sport of volleyball. #LOVB #LOVBYouth #LOVBClubs #LOVBCoaches

Diving into Youth and Club Volleyball

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:27:45 +0000

Beyond the Court podcast host Courtney Thompson chats with some of the top leaders, coaches, and influencers in volleyball. In this episode: ➡️Janis Tupelos (Global Health Institute ER Advisor & LOVB Foundation Advisor) shares where the club volleyball model is excelling and could improve ➡️Kaitlyn Gao (LOVB Founder) talks on the growth juniors gain from club volleyball on and off the court ➡️Kevin Barry (Owner of California Surf Club & Volleyball Dad) on how to support juniors through winning and losing moments as a parent ➡️Jeremy Roueche (DJ for AVP, NCAA Championships, and LA Lakers) on managing the highs and lows of the season and how to DROP IN! 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations like this →Follow LOVB for more content!!!← IG: @lovb @lovbclubs @lovbcoaches TT: @lovb @lovbclubs One League. For Youth. For Pro. For Life. 🏐 Join us as we build the LOVB community as we grow the sport of volleyball. #LOVB #LOVBYouth #LOVBClubs #LOVBCoaches

The Deeper Impact of Volleyball: From Leadership to Resilience

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Beyond the Court, Courtney Thompson sits down with Malia and Peter Hirschman, Paula Weishoff, and Kate and Kenny Hairrell to explore the deeper impact of volleyball: from leadership and belonging to resilience and family support. In this episode: ➡️ Malia (LOVB Foundation President) and Peter Hirschman (LOVB Founder) share their vision for LOVB, diving into what it means to foster belonging, emotional awareness, personal identity, and a broader definition of success in the sport. ➡️ Paula Weishoff (LOVB Houston Assistant Coach) talks about getting through tough times mentally and physically. ➡️ Kate and Kenny Hairrell (Volleyball Parents from SC Rockstar) discuss how to best support their kids as they move into more high-intensity levels of the game, and the lessons they hope their children carry with them beyond club volleyball. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations like this →Follow LOVB for more content!!!← IG: @lovb @lovbclubs @lovbcoaches TT: @lovb @lovbclubs One League. For Youth. For Pro. For Life. 🏐 Join us as we build the LOVB community as we grow the sport of volleyball. #LOVB #LOVBYouth #LOVBClubs #LOVBCoaches

A Lifetime of Volleyball: Kathy DeBoer, Sarah Pavan and more

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Season 2 of Beyond the Court kicks off with the LOVB Foundation guests, Kathy DeBoer, Sarah Pavan and Adam Schulze, and Melissa Boice. Hosted by Olympic medalist Courtney Thompson season 2 is going to deep into the heart of the youth volleyball community. 🏐✨ In this episode: ➡️ Kathy DeBoer (former AVCA Executive Director & current LOVB Foundation Chair) shares honest insights on the state of club volleyball and powerful lessons for athletes, families, and coaches. ➡️ Sarah Pavan (Olympian & new mom) and Adam Schulze (podcast host & new dad) reflect on how volleyball prepares you for life, partnership, and parenting. ➡️ Melissa Boice (Director at SC Rockstar) breaks down what makes a good club coach and better club parent. Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, or lifelong fan, this conversation goes far beyond wins and losses it’s about building people, community, and purpose through the game. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations like this →Follow LOVB for more content!!!← IG: @lovb @lovbclubs @lovbcoaches TT: @lovb @lovbclubs One League. For Youth. For Pro. For Life. 🏐 Join us as we build the LOVB community as we grow the sport of volleyball. #LOVB #LOVBYouth #LOVBClubs #LOVBCoaches

A Coaching Discussion with Jason Watson and Tom Black

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Jason Watson, Courtney Thompson, Tom Black) — Sat, 1 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Both former guests individually, Jason Watson and Tom Black return to Beyond the Court and discuss their coaching philosophies with each other and host Courtney Thompson. Despite coaching in the same conference, Jason and Tom are quite friendly with one another and frequently talk through their teams with one another. Among the topics discussed are structuring an offense, serving approach, timeout strategy, using video to provide feedback and more.

Building Trust with Jason Watson

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Jason Watson, Courtney Thompson) — Sat, 1 Feb 2025 09:30:00 +0000

As someone who’s held head coaching positions at three very different institutions, Jason Watson is very familiar with building new cultures. He’s coached and found success at BYU, Arizona State and now Arkansas, where he led the Razorbacks to the Regional finals of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Jason works very intentionally to shift culture and establish trust with his athletes by being transparent with feelings and expectations – both his players’ and his own – encouraging feedback and adapting strategies to it, and becoming more unstructured in communications with his players. His goal is for his athletes to know him as other people in his life.

The Antidote to Fear with Tom Black

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Tom Black, Courtney Thompson) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:30:00 +0000

Whether on the volleyball court or in life, fear is often the biggest limiter to success, not lack of ability. Fear can prevent wholehearted engagement and commitment; it is a limiter to what people can achieve. Tom Black knows that, and he makes it a point to address those fears head-on with athletes. Whether through conversation, drill or writing activity, he strives to teach his athletes to acknowledge the fear and proceed anyway. Tom’s teachings have impacted athletes at the international level and collegiate level, as position coach or head coach. Everyone can learn to embrace fear and venture into it anyway. Take it from Tom’s former disciple, Courtney Thompson.

Celebrating the Successes of Others with Don Bartel

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Don Bartel, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:30:00 +0000

Coach and leadership teacher Don Bartel knows that internal work is key to external success. Outcome-aware but purpose- and process-driven, he has focused on building skills and actions in athletes from middle school all the way to college. Regardless of location, he weaves the lessons he wishes to teach into an athlete’s daily activities and stresses the importance of giving athletes ownership over their situation. Don also recognizes the outsized effect a coach’s mood can have on their team. After a stern talking-to from Courtney’s dad of all people, he learned to allow athletes to celebrate wins and enjoy their successes. He can even celebrate those successes now; not as his own, but as those of people he cares about. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr. Bartel, as Courtney knows him – he coached Courtney and fellow podcast guest Trevor Thompson when they were younger – discusses all this and more in the latest episode of Beyond the Court.

Vulnerability and Deeper Meaning with Tyler Hildebrandt

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Tyler Hildebrand, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:30:00 +0000

USC Associate Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand has coached a lot of volleyball and a lot of different types of volleyball. One thing that’s followed him at each stop is the leadership and vision he brings to each position. Women or men, indoor or beach, the technical skills aren’t nearly as important as the vision he helps athletes apply to their practice. With all of his athletes, Tyler stresses the actions that have deeper meanings behind them and that reach across broad subjects. Technical aspects are important, but not as important as the lessons that athletes can apply after volleyball, like perseverance or pushing oneself out of their comfort zone. Good friends, Tyler and host Courtney Thompson cover the importance of leadership and vision, how to test new strategies properly, and other topics during the latest episode of Beyond the Court.

Embracing Competition on the Court and in Life with Jenny McDowell

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Jenny McDowell, Courtney Thompson) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:30:00 +0000

Having made the postseason each year of her 27-year career as head coach at Emory University, Jenny McDowell knows all about competition. Under her tutelage, the Eagles never missed an NCAA Division III tournament, winning two national titles and making seven trips to the national semifinals. She proved her commitment to competition to hundreds of Emory’s volleyball athletes by never being outworked and leading by example. More than the 826 career wins or 27 consecutive postseason appearances, Jenny loved making a difference in her athletes' lives. The work ethic she instilled on the court carried over into athletes’ interviews, medical school and just being a good person. Now, as Director of Coach Development with League One Volleyball, she gets to train other coaches who’ll go on to have countless impacts on young athletes.

Doing Less Better with Suzie Fritz

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Suzie Fritz, Courtney Thompson) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:30:00 +0000

Suzie Fritz has been around coaches her entire life. Her mother was a coach, as were her father and brother. She even married a coach. It should be no surprise that she herself went into the family business and has spent 30 years coaching volleyball. During her illustrious career, Suzie has developed a mantra: do less, and do it better. One cannot coach everything at once – she’ll be the first to say that – so by narrowing her focus on one topic at a time, she’s been able to concentrate on one aspect of her team’s play and get stronger results. She’ll bring that mantra to the pros as head coach at LOVB Omaha Volleyball, something that she and host Courtney Thompson discuss during the latest episode of Beyond the Court.

On-court Optimism and Agency with Dr. Nicole Davis

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Dr. Nicole Davis, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:30:00 +0000

After years of out-hustling people on the court – proven by leading USC to back-to-back titles – Nicole Davis realized she needed more once she entered the Team USA gym. She needed an edge, and training her mental skills just like she did her physical skills lifted her to the Olympics and two silver medals. During the latest episode of Beyond the Court, she talks with longtime friend and former U.S. teammate Courtney Thompson about her path to mindset training and the importance of feeling good on the court. Coaches can play an outsized role in this by providing agency to athletes, helping them work through anxiety, and centering their language around optimism and strengths.

Health, Wellness and Warmups with Katherine Henry

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Katherine Henry, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 08:30:00 +0000

As a long-time athletic trainer, Katherine Henry knows the importance of taking proper care of athletes’ bodies and minds. Whether it’s proper warmups and cooldowns, entering a certain mindset for matches and tournaments, or staying involved with a team while injured – safely, of course – there are countless ways proper health and wellness habits impact an athlete’s on-court performance and enjoyment of the sport. Now, as Head of Health and Wellness at League One Volleyball, Katherine is able to help LOVB Clubs create healthy, positive and educational environments for young athletes. She and Courtney discuss these topics and more in the latest episode of Beyond the Court.

Teamwork and Leadership with Navy SEAL Trevor Thompson

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Trevor Thompson, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 6 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In the latest episode of Beyond the Court, Courtney and former Navy SEAL Trevor Thompson – Courtney’s brother – talk about sport, military service and how teamwork and leadership plays a critical role in each. While the outcomes may be different, both sport and service require adaptability, a team-first mentality, and the presence of an overarching goal to work toward. A collegiate baseball player, current youth coach, and former leadership instructor at the Naval Academy, Trevor offers unique insight on how to instill leadership in others and stresses the importance of authenticity and motivation. If you’re wondering how to instill this in your athletes (or yourself), Courtney and Trevor will help you learn…in between good-natured barbs one would expect from siblings.

Olympic Lessons with Jordyn Poulter

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Jordyn Poulter, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 08:30:00 +0000

Newly returned from Paris, two-time Olympic medalist and LOVB Salt Lake setter Jordyn Poulter rehashes her experiences at the 2024 Olympic Games. Jordyn set Team USA to second place, earning an unexpected medal after a shortened quad full of injuries and tough matches. If there’s one thing to take away from Team USA’s silver medal, it's the importance of team roles and cohesiveness. Whether they started or entered as a substitute, each player on the roster played an important part during the U.S.’ run to the podium. Jordyn and host Courtney Thompson discuss the importance of roster construction and cohesiveness, the emotional aspect of big tournaments and more in the latest episode of Beyond the Court.

Unlocking Human Potential via Culture with Matt and Reed Carlson

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Matt Carlson, Reed Marlson, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:33:16 +0000

After buying the club in 2009, brothers Matt and Reed Carlson have transformed Club V (Salt Lake City, Utah) from a two-court club with no air conditioning into one of the top programs in the country. It’s not the technical prowess that’s sent over 400 athletes into college volleyball, but the culture in the gym. Matt and Reed have put people and relationships first at Club V and use those as keys to unlocking human potential. They’ve instilled a desire to improve in their athletes, but success isn’t the key result at Club V. Happiness and improvement is, and that’s what they emphasize through their programs.

Becoming a Transformational Coach with Sue Enquist

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Sue Enquist, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Coaching shouldn’t involve transactions, it should involve transformations. Longtime UCLA softball coach and current U.S. Women’s National Team Culture Coach Sue Enquist is all in on transforming athletes. Communication, transparency, collaboration, trust, accountability: these all help coaches become the transformational leader athletes need them to be. She and former U.S. National Team setter Courtney Thompson discuss how Sue came to these realizations and how to implement them in sports or the workplace.

Support, then Challenge with Dr. Michael Gervais

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Dr. Michael Gervais, Courtney Thompson) — Fri, 2 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Follow Dr. Gervais on at findingmastery.com, on Instagram and on LinkedIn. Also, listen to his podcast, Finding Mastery, wherever you get your podcasts.

2:33: From surfing ocean waves to surfing brain waves
8:34: Michael’s beginning with the U.S. National Team
10:53: Resources for mental training
13:16: On presence, time and growth
23:10: Invest in yourself what you want to give others
27:43: Support, then challenge
36:02: How to help foster grit
45:27: Brighten your inner light
47:20: Know your values
50:20: What are you longing for now?

The Internal Drive with April Ross

kyle.scholzen@lovb.com (Courtney Thompson, April Ross) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Three-time Olympic medalist April Ross is coming to the end of her storied volleyball career, but the mental acumen and internal processes that drove her to excel on the court are still as sharp as ever. She talks about how these developed throughout her career, how she found joy on and off the court, and how her priorities have changed from when she just started as a professional athlete.

Topics discussed include:

One last hurrah for the A-Team and winding down April's career
Becoming a mom and how that shifted April's perception of herself
The importance of preparation and process before, during and after a match
How she developed an intuition that guided her throughout her career
Overcoming perfectionism and boosting priorities other than volleyball