Christian Hartford is changing the culture at USA Volleyball

Christian Hartford is changing the culture at USA Volleyball

Alex Brouwer sought the source of the voice. The one that perpetually stood out from among 13,000 screaming Germans at the World Championships in Hamburg. The one that was always heard by any player competing against an American team.

When he found the bearded face of Christian Hartford, the Dutchman pumped a fist and said “Let’s go U.S.A.!”

That is but a brief but encompassing glimpse into the enthusiasm that Hartford has brought into the gym at USA Volleyball.

“We’ll be on the bike, and he’s always screaming at you,” Tri Bourne said on SANDCAST: Beach volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter.

Never is Hartford screaming in a negative light. He’s not a Navy commander, barking orders. He’s lifting up, encouraging, pushing, to the point that even someone like Alex Brouwer, the defender on the Netherlands’ top team and a former World Champ, can buy in.

“I remember my first couple months, Trevor [Crabb] was like ‘Who the hell is this guy? He never shuts up!’” Hartford recalled, laughing. “That was my job. I want to make that weight room the most positive, engaging environment possible. That doesn’t mean we’re going to have full out conversations of how your wife and kids are doing or your boyfriend or girlfriend. But when you walk through the door, I’m going to greet you. When you’re in there training, I’m going to engage and music is going to be blasting.”

Hartford knows, both from personal experience as an elite athlete himself and from half a decade of training college teams, it’s not a one-size-fits all approach. His day might consist of working with 44-year-old Jake Gibb in the morning on the sand, shifting to helping 23-year-old Sarah Sponcil in the afternoon and prescribing a weight program for indoor convert David Lee in the evening.

“We always talk about individualization and how you’re going to be able to do this program because as beach volleyball players, you’re all going to need certain characteristics,” said Hartford, who walked on to Wake Forest as a quarterback and received his masters from Northwestern. “Athlete A may get it a lot differently than Athlete B but also Athlete C might have a much different strength in their game that needs to be focused on than Athlete B. So you have to take into account all these individualizations.”

In that sense, it is perhaps Hartford’s greatest strength that, prior to USA Volleyball, he had little to no experience on the beach, but was an expert in virtually every other sport. As a quarterback at Wake Forest, he knew how to train football players. As a strength and conditioning coach at Northwestern, he worked with 115 athletes across a wide variety of disciplines. At Maryland, he helped with gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, wrestling, softball, and indoor volleyball.

All of that switching made his ability to pick up a new sport, reverting back to a beginner’s mindset, that much easier. He didn’t walk onto the beach proclaiming to know everything. Instead, he acknowledged he knew little. He asked questions, attaining his own unofficial Beach Volleyball Certification through coaches like Rich Lambourne, Jen Kessy, Jose Loiola and Tyler Hildebrand.

“Being around all these different sports as the strength coach, you don’t have any other choice but to learn everything about that sport,” Hartford said. “Diving in headfirst into whatever sport you’re working with and being at practice and asking coaches questions, watching film, going to competitions to see the environment and just the pure nature of each sport, I think that type of diversity in my coaching background helped me a ton with the transition to the beach.”

Most athletic performance coaches would be able to do that, in some form or other. Some might take longer. Some might pick it up as quickly as Hartford, who is immensely popular among the athletes, has. But what separates Hartford from the other candidates who sought the job is that he brings more than an ability to prescribe a quality training regimen.

For the first time in Bourne’s memory, there’s a tangible culture being set at USA Volleyball.

“When I got here I asked Tyler Hildebrand ‘What are we trying to create here, culture wise? What environment are we trying to create?’” Hartford said. “We were striving for a new culture.”

He acknowledges that it won’t be akin to a college team, that he’ll be working with Gibb and Bourne at the same time, despite them both vying for the same spot in the Tokyo Olympics. But still, you can find Chaim Schalk and Sponcil competing in Spikeball contests in the weight room. Athletes cheering their fellow athletes in pull-up contests. Others pushing one another on the assault bike.

“Try training 18 gymnasts at 5 in the afternoon after practice,” Hartford said. “You need as much positive energy as you can in that moment so I’m used to creating that and that’s always been a part of my mission is to create the most positive, productive training environment possible.

“To be in this environment where we have 25-30 athletes, it’s been incredible to build all of those relationships. Whenever you’re able to do that, you’re able to dive a lot deeper into the training process and thought process of what you’re doing. You’re also able to get a little more creative with your process as well. A huge piece has been being able to watch and talk to and see every single athlete as an individual perform and see what that person needs from a strength and conditioning side to get better. For me to be working with a specialized crew in a much smaller volume, it’s been a blessing because now I can see them practice, see them live, see how they jump, see how they swing and also talk to their coaches. You can really dive a lot deeper into these training programs.”

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Corinne Quiggle: Home is wherever the beach volleyball is

Corinne Quiggle: Home is wherever the beach volleyball is

For most beach volleyball players in the United States, AVP New Orleans was just the second tournament of the season. Corinne Quiggle is not most beach volleyball players. As she has done for the previous two years, Quiggle has hit the road with her new partner, Sarah Schermerhorn, already competing in tournaments in Qatar, Mexico, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Texas, and Louisiana, flying up the rankings on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour as well as the AVP.  She has become comfortable with the immense travel required when playing full-time international and domestic, taking a last-second flight from Ostrava to New Orleans -- and still taking a seventh!  On this episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, we chat about: - How Quiggle and Schermerhorn became a team - Their huge success in Tlaxcala, Mexico, where they emerged from the qualifier, won pool, then battled with Spain, eventually taking a ninth - Rising up the Volleyball World rankings, to the point that they're now in Elite 16s - How to land a sponsor as a beach volleyball player And, as always, much more.  ENJOY! *** *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

1 Juni 20221h 24min

Andy Benesh: Playing with GOATs on his way to becoming America’s next top blocker

Andy Benesh: Playing with GOATs on his way to becoming America’s next top blocker

Andy Benesh is one of the brightest talents on the AVP Tour, as proven two weekends ago when he won the season-opening event of the 2022 AVP season in Austin, Texas. There’s a reason veterans and AVP champions such as Billy Allen, Nick Lucena, and Phil Dalhausser have competed with him: He’s darn good. And he’s going to be good for a long, long time to come. On this episode with Andy Benesh, we chat about: What it’s like to play (and win) with Phil Dalhausser His momentous win at AVP Austin The incredible impact Nick Lucena and Billy Allen have made on his career His staggering rate of improvement in beach volleyball, and how he’s not even close to reaching his ceiling And, as always, so much more. ENJOY! *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

25 Maj 20221h 21min

Katie Spieler: The Honeybee’s Guide to the Good Life

Katie Spieler: The Honeybee’s Guide to the Good Life

Katie Spieler is one of the most popular guests we’ve ever had on SANDCAST, and is one of the most beloved beach volleyball players on the AVP Tour. One of the winningest players in the history of Hawai’i beach volleyball, Spieler has won tournaments on the grass, snow, sand, dirt, and is the reigning 4 v. 4 World Champion. Now, she’s coming off an ACL tear, back to living the good life on the beach. On this episode, we chat about: Her recovery from tearing her ACL at the annual Pottstown Rumble How Todd Rogers helped her improve even when she couldn’t move The new mindset with which she’s approaching the beach The love and gratitude she has for the game of beach volleyball And, as always, much more. ENJOY! *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

18 Maj 20221h 24min

Toni Rodriguez is ’traveling the world, just playing volleyball, living the sweetest life ever’

Toni Rodriguez is ’traveling the world, just playing volleyball, living the sweetest life ever’

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features yet another promising up and coming talent on the AVP and Volleyball World Beach Pro Tours: Toni Rodriguez. She’s a Louisiana kid, with seven years at LSU to prove it. And now she’s made the move to California, diving headfirst into the world of professional beach volleyball, hitting a pair of FIVBs with Zana Muno and AVP Austin with Savvy Simo. She’s just getting started. On this episode, we chat about: What a crazy year this has been already, with trips to Australia, Panama City Beach, and Brazil on back to back to back weekends, followed by Austin How she and SANDCAST hostess Savvy Simo became partners Why she decided to move to California, and how important that has been for her career The state of Louisiana exploding into the beach volleyball scene ENJOY! *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

11 Maj 20221h 16min

Sara Hughes was born to play beach volleyball

Sara Hughes was born to play beach volleyball

Sara Hughes has known she wanted to be a professional beach volleyball player since she was 8 years old. For nearly 20 years, that’s exactly the path her life went on: tabbed by USA Volleyball’s developmental program, the first scholarship athlete on the USC beach team, National Champion, AVP Champion, Olympic favorite. Until an injury to Summer Ross kept them out of the qualification process for the Tokyo Olympics. It left Hughes in a strange spot: Not on top of the beach volleyball world. Now she’s back again, winning a gold medal in Itapema with Kelley Kolinske, a team coached by Evie Matthews and trained by the podcast favorite Mykel Jenkins. On this episode, we chat about: How Hughes and Kolinske got together, and why they’ve been such a good fit so quickly The refreshing aspect of starting a new team: new partner, new coach, new trainer The two years of struggle when Ross was out with an injury, which left Hughes without a partner and running mate for Tokyo How she used those two years to only get better, something we’re all witnessing now ENJOY! *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

4 Maj 20221h 20min

Evan Cory, Louisiana’s Road Dog, has arrived

Evan Cory, Louisiana’s Road Dog, has arrived

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, features Evan Cory, one of the most promising up-and-coming talents in the United States. After six years of competing in qualifiers, Cory alas made his first main draws, earned via winning AVPNext Golds in New Orleans and Seaside. Now? He’s seeded directly into the main draw. And he’s going to put on a show. On this episode, we chat about: Cory’s background in Louisiana, learning to play at the famed Coconut Beach His new partnership with Bill Kolinske, and why it’s a perfect fit His recent switch to defense, and the man behind the quick improvement: Joey Keener His love for the state of Louisiana, and its volleyball-crazed culture And so much more. ENJOY! *** Like our content? Leave us a tip :) We don't charge a subscription fee, so everything is much appreciated: https://motivated-author-4500.ck.page/products/sandcast-tip-jar We now have SANDCAST MERCHANDISE!! Rock the gear of your favorite podcast today! https://www.sandcastmerch.com/ If you want to receive our SANDCAST weekly newsletter, the Beach Volleyball Digest, which dishes all the biggest news in beach volleyball in one quick newsletter, head over to our website and subscribe! We'd love to have ya! https://www.sandcastvolleyball.com/ This episode, as always, is brought to you by Wilson Volleyball, makers of the absolute best balls in the game, hands down. You can get a 20-percent discount using our code, SANDCAST-20! https://www.wilson.com/en-us/volleyball Check out our book, Volleyball for Milkshakes, written by SANDCAST hosts Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter: https://www.amazon.com/Volleyball-Milkshakes-Travis-Mewhirter/dp/B089781SHB

27 Apr 20221h 30min

Seain Cook is playing the long game in beach volleyball -- and it’s working

Seain Cook is playing the long game in beach volleyball -- and it’s working

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter features one of the most promising talents in the United States…who cannot play for the United States. Seain Cook competed for the Scottish National Team before moving to the United States. For now, he’s focusing on climbing the ladder the only way he knows how: Winning beach volleyball tournaments, something he does A LOT, including the $20,000 AVPNext in Panama City Beach, Fla. On this episode, we chat about: Seain Cook’s journey from Scotland to the United States How incredible it is to be coached by the legend, Mike Dodd Why a CBVA with Stafford Slick made such an impact on him His mission to climb the ladder the right way: By winning tournaments And so much more. Such a fun episode with Seain. To enjoy his hysterical videos on Instagram, give him a follow: @seaincook ENJOY!

20 Apr 20221h 12min

April Mailbag: Where’s Casey Patterson; typical practices; promising new teams

April Mailbag: Where’s Casey Patterson; typical practices; promising new teams

This episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, is our semi-monthly mailbag, or fan question, episode. We had a record number of fan questions, and we did our best to get to all of them in an hour, hosted by the lovely Gabby Bourne – Savvy Simo, our usual moderator, was already in Panama City Beach, where she would QUALIFY for AVP Austin with Toni Rodriguez!! We chatted about: What a typical practice looks like, and the best drills to address our current weaknesses as players If a fan were to choose one AVP stop this year, which would it be? Best ways to increase your vertical leap What are Casey Patterson, Stafford Slick, and Reid Priddy up tp? And many, many more. ENJOY!

13 Apr 20221h 8min

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