Alumni
We are blessed that we have been able to work with some extremely talented and hard working athletes. These are just SOME of the girls that have been through our program and played beach at the next level and their words on what Birmingham Beach has meant for them!
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Stella Yester
Eastern Kentucky UniversityBirmingham Beach has been the most supporting and encouraging community in my life over the past 7 years. Not only have I grown as an athlete, but I’ve grown as an individual. The coaches at Birmingham Beach always have my best interest in mind and they have helped shape me into the person I am today. Birmingham Beach is my home, and I’m thankful I have this community in my life.
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Brooke Hoven
University of Louisiana MonroeBirmingham beach helped me tremendously in reaching my goal of playing collegiate beach volleyball. The coaches and staff provide high level training accompanied with a family like atmosphere. Joe, Jodie, and Sara have continued to be there for me throughout my college journey and I’m so thankful to be a part of this club!
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Emma Johnson
Louisiana State University (LSU)Deciding to play for Birmingham Beach was a blessing in disguise for me. Playing indoor volleyball all of my life, it never crossed my mind to play beach. It all started one day coach Joe saw me playing indoor and asked me to come tryout beach. I didn’t think I would have an opportunity to play in college since I started playing at the end of my junior year in high school. I am extremely grateful for Birmingham Beach as a program, but also Joe and Jodie for pushing and encouraging me through the whole process.
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Mackenzie Martin
North AlabamaAs one of the fastest growing sports, Birmingham Beach provided me with the skills I needed to move forward in my volleyball career. At first, I was pursuing indoor and did beach volleyball for fun. Little did I know that this sport would help me grow so much as an athlete, woman, and friend, and that I would fall in love with beach, and never turn back.
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Alaina Tinsley
Florida Atlantic UniversityI owe many of my successes to Birmingham Beach. They gave me a place to train and practice with even better people to do it with. The culture of Birmingham Beach is so fun and encouraging and definitely helped me shape into the player that I am today.
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Angelina Arvizu OKWU
Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityIf it wasn’t for Joe, Jodie, and Sara I would have given up on volleyball but because of the amazing program and coaching I am now playing indoor and beach volleyball in college. They were always positive and encouraging. They helped me regain my confidence and improve in my abilities. I actually didn’t even play indoor my junior and senior year and still was able to play both in college! I am so grateful for them!
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Hayden Garris
Hendirx CollegeIn May 2016, Coach Joe persuaded me to come to Veteran’s Park and play in the sand. I showed up to 4 players I didn’t know but we had the best time! So then, we started playing at tournaments. We had no idea what we were doing, but Joe and Coach Paul kept showing us how to play and win. In June 2018, I tore my ACL indoors. Coach Jodie became my biggest cheerleader. She had me score beach matches, help at practice and stay with the team. By May of 2019, Coach Sara and Joe had worked hard with me during my return to play. Later that year I made the Gold Bracket at USAV Beachfest and picked up an offer from my dream school for the fall of 2020! I decided to take a gap year to work on my game and my fitness, so Coaches Joe and Jodie had me help coach the juniors. In 2021-2022, I made my debut for the Hendrix College Warriors. I won my very first match!!!
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Mia Johnson
Tusculum UniversityBirmingham beach volleyball has been a blessing in disguise. If it wasn’t for Joe persuading me to come give beach volleyball a try, I would not be where I am today. Bham beach has always felt like a second family to me, and has given me the skills to be able to play beach volleyball at the collegiate level. I thank Birmingham beach for the support they have given me throughout the years.
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Braeden Krablin
Birmingham Beach has been the best experience, and I have loved playing there! Without it, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today! Joe and Jodie, along with the other coaches and players, have become family, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! The environment is fun and welcoming, which helped me grow as a person as well. There are many opportunities to make new friends and bond with those around! Thank you, Birmingham Beach, you all are the best!!
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Audrey Vielguth
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityI’m so blessed to be a part of the Birmingham Beach family. This club cultivated my basics in the sand. What’s so special about Bham Beach is that it pushed me to become a better player, but at the same time, I enjoyed it while I grew in the sport. Yes, all players will face hard moments in their sport, but this club cares for each player in the program, and I felt comfortable enough to show/tell them when I struggled. The coaches and players create a welcoming, supportive, and hardworking atmosphere that you can’t help but want to be a part of. I encourage every person who even thinks about playing to sign up because this club is more than just the sport!
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Kaitlin Gilchrist
Lagrange UniversityPlaying for Birmingham Beach has been one of the biggest blessings in my volleyball career. All of the coaches truly care about each of the athletes and create a positive environment at every practice. This club has pushed me to be a better player and given me the skills to play at the next level. I am so thankful for all the love and care this club has given me. I would not be where I am today without it!
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Tyler Morrison
Tusculum UniversityBirmingham Beach has played a key role in getting me to where I am today. The experiences and opportunities I had there helped me develop the skills and passion that ultimately led me to Tusculum, where I am now proudly playing college sand volleyball. I’m beyond thankful for the support and guidance along the way. Here’s to all the people who made this journey possible! “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
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Mabrey Whitehead
University of North AlabamaI started playing beach volleyball with Birmingham Beach in 2020. It started as just a way to continue playing volleyball during Covid but turned into something I loved and looked forward to. The Community surrounding Birmingham Beach is like a family. The coaches work hard not only to push everyone to become better players but also to try to get to know all the players on a deeper level. Once I decided that I wanted to play Beach volleyball in College all the Coaches had my back and helped me get better each day to reach my goal. I am so grateful for Birmingham Beach and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.