Bump, Set, Mic...The Junior Club Volleyball Podcast by TNT

From high school standout to D3 starter, VLA athlete, and now assistant coach at West Chester University and head coach of TNT's girls' 16 Thunder National, Coach Mike Carr brings grit, versatility, and high standards to every player he mentors. In this episode of Bump, Set, Mic, Chuck and Brian sit down with Mike to explore his coaching philosophy, his emphasis on strength and conditioning, and what players can expect when working with him.
Discover Mike's practical insights on his experiences playing multiple positions, building resilience through adversity, navigating the demands of college and semi-pro volleyball, and helping players thrive at the club level. Whether you're a TNT family member, a current player, or someone curious about elite volleyball coaching, this episode offers a compelling look at Coach Mike's journey as a player, coach, and mentor—and what TNT families can expect as he leads his national team into an exciting season.
Segment 1 – From Late HS Start to College and VLA Player (0:00 – 23:51)
Introduction of Coach Mike Carr
His high school volleyball journey, versatility from playing multiple positions, and thoughts on players being open to playing multiple roles
Mike's non-traditional path to college volleyball and his impressions from time spent at that level
Lessons learned from overcoming adversity as a player (incluuding an ACL injury) now aiding in his work as a coach
Mike's coaching journey from volunteering at his HS alma mater,  the tremendous influence of Mike's coach on his own coaching career, and how Mike ended up connecting with TNT
Segment 2 – Coaching at TNT, Philosophy, and Importance of Strength & Conditioning (24:01 - 50:40)
A recap of how Mike ended up at TNT
How first season success at 17U travel, plus positive feedback from parents and coaches, were stepping stones to Mike's appointment as a national-level 16s team head coach
Mike's thoughts on coaching girls vs. boys at the club level
His coaching philosophy, style, and the role of strength and conditioning in his approach with players
Strategies for helpling players develop resilience and mental toughness
Addressing the concern of younger coaches in prominent club roles, how Mike addresses that in his work, and the support provided by the club to coaches in similar circumstance at TNT
Segment 3 – National Team Goals, What Gets Players Noticed, and How to Work with Coach Mike  (50:49 – 69:33)
Individual and team goals for 16 Thunder National for the upcoming season
What Mike values most in players from the start of the season (tryouts) until the end
Positions, systems, and how he adapts to fit his team
Mike's reflections on the recent tryout experience at TNT as a national-level head coach
Helping players reach the college level, including using the club's connections to college coaches and other recruiting resources
Additional ways of working with Mike (lessons, academies,  clinics) and his approach with athletes in those environments
TNT's expanded academy-style plans for the coming season
Final advice to ambitious young players
How to connect with Mike along with the club and its ongoing and upcoming programs

Hard work can be fun! In this episode of Bump, Set, Mic, Chuck and Brian are joined by Coach Emily Poole, head women's volleyball coach at Arcadia University and member of the TNT Volleyball coaching staff, as she shares her volleyball journey and blueprint for how very competitive teams can also have an enjoyable time as well at both the club and collegiate levels.
Chuck, Brian, and Emily cover her path from York, PA to Division I volleyball, navigating academics at Lehigh, and the moment she realized coaching—not the corporate world—was her future. Emily shares how she was thrown into college coaching during COVID, what it was like to take over the Arcadia program at 24, and how she builds competitive, academically driven teams that still have fun.
Specific to the club side, Emily reflects on last year's TNT 17 Platinum run to USAV Nationals, the culture that kept them locked in through a long season, and what she's looking for as she takes over 16 Platinum this coming season. The epiosde closes with practical perspective on TNT tryouts, recruiting realities, and how families can keep their sanity during one of the most stressful times of the year.
Segment 1 – Emily's Volleyball Journey and Development as a Player (0:00 - 17:58)
Returning from nationals with club in full summer mode and a brief recap of the time in Florida
Introducing Coach Emily Poole – Arcadia head coach, TNT coach, a Colts fan in Eagles country
Emily's start in volleyball: late to the sport, middle school-only at first, invited as a guest player for nationals
Her high school experience at Central York, the impact of strong coaches, and discovering grass volleyball
Reaching D1 at Lehigh: the extra work put in and how Emily built full-skill IQ as a middle
Reframing the middle position: not just "the tall kid," but a complete athlete who must learn all skills
Balancing high academics with D1 volleyball, a sophomore slump, and how a new coach's academic standards reset Emily's approach
Sharing that academic emphasis with her own college and club teams (team GPAs, study halls, support systems)
Favorite memories at Lehigh
When volleyball became more than "just playing" for Emily
 
Segment 2 – Building a College Program and Coaching Philosophy (17:58  - 44:14)
Emily's graduate assistant experience at Lehigh
Coaching through COVID, promotion by necessity, and how the COVID-era experience helpd shape Emily's readiness
The Arcadia opportunity and Emily's coaching style
Chuck's perspecitve based on feedback about the 17 Platinum experience from Emily's players last season
Balancing "fun" and high standards; dismantling the myth that fun and competitiveness can't coexist
Building a culture at Arcadia 
The roads that led Emily to TNT
More on the 17 Platinum experience and the dedication of the team's players
"We want Puerto Rico" -  players pushing for a bigger national schedule for the coming season, aiming high, and a quick discussion about playing up instead of sandbagging
Key differences for Emily between college and club coaching: recruiting vs. life mentoring, opponent scouting vs. unknown brackets, systems vs. heavy skills work
 
Segment 3 – The Coming Season, Player Traits, and Tryouts (44:24 - 59:47)
Emily's new role for the coming season with 16 Platinum along with her goals for the team and its players
What Emily feels that 16s players need the most: sharpening core skills, starting to layer in more complex systems, and learning to communicate productively on the court
More on communication and leadership, the need to separate feedback from personal feelings, and how players must find their voice
The traits Emily looks for in players: attitue, effort, coachability, and competitiveness
Emily's "middle bias" - comfortable with all positions, but especially passionate (and demanding) with middles and blocking systems
Contributions Emily makes to the club besides coaching a team
The benefits of having college coaches at TNT to help players understand what will be expected if they want to move up and play in college
The upcoming tryout season: the resulting anxiety for players and parents, rumor mills, and Chuck's firm stance on no early offers before tryouts and the club's ethical tryout philosophy
Why tryout session times are assigned just before tryouts at TNT
Additional perspectives on tryouts for families available in previous episodes 7 and 29
More tryout advice for families
Club website and social media contacts, how to reach Emily and Leon Kasperski for recruiting help, and encouragement for everyone heading into upcoming tryouts and high school seasons

What's volleyball life really like for the players in the middle? In this episode, the second in Bump, Set, Mic's planned series of episodes on each on-court position, Chuck and Brian sit down with college, TNT, and high school coach LJ Brothers to talk about his volleyball journey, unpack what makes middle blockers great,  and share tips on how families can navigate the recruiting process. 
They cover the realities of playing middle at a high level, what college staffs truly look for, how to build effective highlight reels, and smart strategies for showcases, Nationals, and overall long‑term development. 
Segment 1 – The Modern Middle Blocker: Role, Mindset, and Development
Chuck and Brian open with LJ's journey into volleyball and quickly pivot into what makes the middle blocker position unique today. LJ explains why middle is both exciting and demanding, pushing past the stereotype of "just be tall and hit hard" and into reading hitters, moving efficiently, and influencing the game on every rally. The conversation gives players and coaches a framework for how to think about the physical and mental skills involved in middle play.
Segment 2 – The Recruiting Lens: What Coaches Want from Middles
The second portion of the episode focuses on recruiting from a coach's perspective. LJ walks through what college staffs are truly evaluating in middles—athleticism, consistency, and court presence on both offense and defense—while Chuck and Brian probe on timelines, family expectations, and how undersized athletes can still make themselves valuable. They touch on when to start emailing coaches, how to use both high school and club footage, and why realistic self‑assessment and long‑term development matter the most.
Segment 3 – Showing Your Game: Highlights, Events, and Pathways
In the final stretch, the discussion turns tactical: how to build highlight reels that actually help, which camps and showcases are worth the time, and how to approach Nationals so coaches already know your name. LJ offers position‑specific ideas for what to include on film along with some some solid advice for those just staring their volleyball journey and those a bit further along the way. The episode ends with a look ahead to upcoming TNT programs as the summer season ensues.

More athletes than ever seem to be quitting their volleyball teams mid-season — but why is it happening, and what can families learn from it?
In this episode of Bump Set Mic, we take a deep dive into one of the biggest issues facing club volleyball today: quitting during the season, navigating adversity, and deciding whether it's time to stay with your current club or move on.
We discuss the real reasons players leave teams, including burnout, playing time frustrations, confidence struggles, coach conflicts, academic pressure, financial stress, and the growing impact of social media comparison culture. We also explore the difficult question many families face: are athletes learning resilience through challenges, or are they being protected from discomfort too quickly?
The conversation also covers:
• The emotional reality of playing time and development
• How parents influence quitting decisions
• Balancing volleyball with other sports and commitments
• The impact one player leaving has on an entire team
• When leaving a team is absolutely the right decision
• How to leave respectfully and professionally
In the second half of the episode (37m 14s), we shift to one of the biggest offseason questions in club volleyball:
"Should we stay at our current club… or move on?"
We break down:
• Healthy reasons families change clubs
• Why the "grass is greener" mentality can be dangerous
• What truly defines a strong club culture
• How coaches view constant club switching
• The difference between being on a #1 team versus thriving on a #2 team
• The questions every family should ask before making a move
This episode is designed to help players and parents make thoughtful, long-term decisions about development, adversity, expectations, and fit — both on and off the court.
One of the strongest reminders from this conversation:
"Sometimes the greatest growth season for an athlete is the year they struggle."
Download Episode 43 of Bump Set Mic wherever you get your podcasts.

If you've ever wondered why one player on the volleyball court wears a different colored jersey, what rules actually apply to them, or how coaches decide who gets that jersey, episode 42 of "Bump, Set, Mic" covers it all regarding the libero position.
Hosts Chuck Dougherty and Brian Mooney welcome Coach Jea Lee back to the show to unpack the libero, one of the most visible—and most misunderstood—positions in volleyball.
Segment one covers the history and purpose of the position, key rule differences compared to a defensive specialist, and how the libero role fits into the modern game.
From passing and reading hitters to leadership and mentality, the discussion in segment two focuses on what coaches are really looking for in a libero and how players can train toward that standard.
The final segment covers current and future happenings at the club, including a new health and safety policy, fundraisers that highlight TNT's "family first" culture, summer training opportunities, and what families need to know heading into open gyms and tryouts.
While this episode certainly dives deep into the libero position, it also connects back to the bigger picture of development, culture, and community at TNT.
Show Opening (0:00 - 4:30)
Welcome
Launching a positional‑series of episodes
TNT club season status and mid‑season point in the calendar
Atlantic City tournament recap (number of teams, environment)  
Mid‑season surveys for parents and coaches  
Coaches' summit and planning for next‑year improvements
Segment 1: Libero 101 – Rules, History, and the Different Jersey (4:30 - 27:30)
How to pronounce "libero"
Brief history: when and why the libero was introduced  
Purpose of the role (extending rallies, boosting defense, showcasing smaller defenders)  
Why the libero wears a contrasting jersey color  
Libero vs. Defensive Specialist (DS) Breakdown
Impact of the libero on substitution strategy and lineup flexibility  
Typical libero usage  
Positioning philosophy in serve receive and defensive coverage 
Introduction of the two‑libero rule and how coaches can use them
Libero as "captain of the defense" / defensive quarterback
 Segment 2 – Choosing & Developing a Libero (27:30 - 55:30)
Debunking the "shortest player = libero" assumption  
Taller liberos and advantages in court coverage and reach  
Roster construction by age/level: typical numbers of liberos and DS  
The math and competition for back‑row spots at tryouts  
How the role of libero/DS changes as teams get older  
Core on‑court skills for liberos that coaches prioritize
Off‑court and other intangibles that coaches look for
Helpful training ideas and practice environments
Role of coaches in mental‑skills training and consistency between practice and matches
Upcoming sports‑psychology / mental‑skills seminar for TNT athletes and coaches
Checking in with Volleyball Moms - a current online libero discussion
Segment 3 – TNT Updates & Club Culture  (55:30 - 64:00)
New TNT policy restricting energy drinks at practices and tournaments
"Shine for Shannon" glow‑party fundraiser recap
A look ahead to the "Play 4 Abbey" annual outdoor charity event
"Summer in the Armory" program overview 
Tryouts and open‑gym calendar
The upcoming JVA Align summit
TNT Socials
A look ahead to future episodes with a focus on other positions as well as recruitng