North Alabama beach volleyball is preparing for a competitive spring season under the direction of head coach, Kaleb VanDePerre.
They will be kicking off their spring season on Feb. 20-21 at the FSU Unconquered Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida.
When asked about his expectations for this season, VanDePerre emphasized his goals extending beyond just wins and losses. His primary goal this season is for his players to compete confidently, and embrace who they are both on and off the sand.
“I try to remind them that we play volleyball, we are not volleyball players,” said VanDePerre.
This approach motivates his players to take charge on the court as their authentic selves, as opposed to just athletes. The idea is centered around the importance of self-expression, mental flexibility and personal growth in athletics.
VanDePerre’s core values as a coach, and what he values most out of his players, are based on the acronym ROAR – reliable, optimistic, authentic, and resilient. All these values are reinforced during practices, workouts and games.
However, these traits are not the only ones that he values. When looking to recruit new players or transfers, he looks for more.
“We try to find those girls who are fit, while also having that joyful toughness and coachability. There is also a certain level of physicality,” said VanDePerre.
Athletes who align with the team’s culture and show a willingness to grow are the best fit for the program.
Like any other college sport, off-season training is a huge part of team success. Since the women’s team does not have formal practices during the summer, most work is put in during the fall. The players focus on strength training in the weight room and on technique while in the sand.
VanDePerre structures practice around offensive and defensive strategies, while encouraging his athletes to “coach their brains” and to think critically about the game.
Handling adversity is another major focus for the program. After a loss, VanDePerre challenges his players to reflect on whether they competed within their confident identity. Instead of focusing on failure, VanDePerre directs his athletes to evaluate what they learned and how they can improve. VanDePerre addresses fear, doubt and anxiety head-on and teaches the team losing is part of learning and growth.
As the season begins, beach volleyball is expected to excel with confidence, resilience, and authenticity. Fans will have two opportunities to catch the Lions in action at home this season. UNA will host matches on March 27-28 and April 16-17 at Cox Creek Park. This will provide fans, students and the community with a chance to see the team’s athleticism on full display.
