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

From recruiting DMs to viral highlight clips, today's volleyball players are building their futures in public—often without realizing what they're really sharing. In this episode of Bump, Set, Mic, Chuck takes over hosting duties while Brian and returning guest Leon Kasperski, TNT's Director of Operations, break down how athletes and families can use social media as a powerful recruiting tool without putting safety, privacy, or future opportunities at risk.
Drawing on Brian's 30+ years as a middle school teacher, along with his experience as a high school and club coach, and Leon's hands-on work guiding TNT athletes through the college recruiting process, the conversation covers volleyball-specific accounts, digital citizenship, red flags in online contacts, and the long memory of your digital footprint. Whether you're a TNT family, a player hoping to play in college, or a parent trying to keep your child safe online, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on staying visible to the right people—and inaccessible to the wrong ones.
Segment 1 – Social Media as a Recruiting Tool, Not a Toy (0:00 – 17:32)
Chuck introduces Episode 47 and the role reversal: Chuck hosting, Brian as "color man," plus returning guest Leon Kasperski
Why TNT is "all in" on social media as a major recruiting tool for its athletes
How TNT leverages coaches' relationships and tournament exposure (e.g., AAU Nationals) to get players seen
Leon's recommendation to create a separate volleyball/recruiting account (vs. mixing personal life and volleyball on one profile)
What belongs on a volleyball recruiting profile: Name, position, graduation year
Simple, professional contact info
Links to highlight video and recruiting platforms (e.g., YouTube, SportsRecruits)

Brian's educator perspective on teaching teens to use technology safely and appropriately, including AI, and this episode as the club's effort towards a similar goal. 
Early reminder: college coaches are absolutely checking social media to learn who you are off the court, not just how you play on it
Segment 2 – Legit Contacts, Scams, and Online Grooming Red Flags (17:32 – 30:20)
Real-life scenarios: "Hi, I'm Coach Smith from State University; I've watched your film…"
"We want to pay you for your name, image, and likeness (NIL)…"

Leon on how legitimate coaches actually reach out: Almost never via DM
Typically via school email, through the club, or directly to coaches

Verification-first approach when a player gets contacted: Look up the coach on the school's official website
Move the conversation from DM to email
CC a parent, club coach, or recruiting coordinator

Red flags to watch for: Personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail) instead of school domains
Requests to "keep this between us" or avoid involving parents
Attempts to move quickly into private chats, personal photos, or non-volleyball topics

Brian's shares some research found regarding how often minors—especially teen girls—report being approached online by people trying to manipulate them
A clear explanation of grooming behaviors and how they can target teenage volleyball players specifically
What to do if you've already shared "too much": Stop replying
Tell a parent or trusted adult immediately
In serious cases, involve law enforcement and the club, as TNT did in a prior possible grooming situation

Segment 3 – Digital Footprints, Emotional Posting, and Long-Term Consequences (31:02 – 53:00)
Brian defines digital citizenship and why "private" at one point doesn't neccessary mean private long-term
Leon: college coaches are not just "likely" but certain to do a deeper dive on a player's online presence once they're interested
How posts about refs, coaches, teammates, politics, or partying can quietly knock a player off a coach's list
The permanence of a digital footprint: Screenshots, saved Snaps, and old posts can resurface years later
Changing friend groups or conflicts can turn "private" conversations into public problems

Quick-hit "lightning round" on what's okay and what's risky: Cell numbers in structured recruiting systems: maybe—but with caution
Home address and always-on location sharing: no
Highlight reels and volleyball clips: absolutely yes—that's what social is for
Emotional venting after a loss: skip the post, cool off, and protect your future self

For players: social media is step one in recruiting, not the finish line—and visibility should never come at the cost of safety
For parents: Stay engaged with your athlete's accounts and communications
Help with filming, building profiles, and reviewing contacts
Recognize that a complete absence of social media can also hurt recruiting in today's landscape

Closing thoughts from Chuck, Brian, and Leon as both coaches and parents: They want TNT players to be seen by the right people, stay safe from the wrong ones, and carry a strong digital reputation from club to college and beyond.

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.