Morehead State’s beach volleyball program has found its new head coach. After a nationwide search, the Eagles have hired Jaime Gordon to lead the program. Gordon comes to Morehead State after spending the last two seasons as an assistant beach volleyball coach and recruiting coordinator at Stetson University.
Editor’s Notes:Morehead State beach volleyball is a relatively new program, having only been founded in 2016. However, the Eagles have quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). In just their second season of existence, Morehead State won the OVC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
In her time at Stetson, Gordon helped the Hatters to a pair of ASUN Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. She also coached four All-Americans and 11 All-Conference selections.
Key differences:
| Name | Years | Record | NCAA Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaime Gordon | 2023-Present | 0-0 | 0 |
| Mark Beach | 2019-2022 | 45-27 | 1 |
| Jaime Gordon | 2016-2018 | 45-27 | 1 |
Transition to main article topics:
- Gordon’s coaching philosophy
- The Eagles’ goals for the 2023 season
- The challenges and opportunities facing the program
1. History
The history of Morehead State beach volleyball is one of rapid growth and success. The program was founded in 2016, and in just six seasons, the Eagles have become a force in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Morehead State has won the OVC Championship twice and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice.
There are several reasons for Morehead State’s quick success. First, the program has been built on a strong foundation of talented players. The Eagles have recruited some of the top beach volleyball players in the country, and they have developed a team that is both skilled and competitive.
Second, Morehead State has a dedicated coaching staff. Head coach Jaime Gordon is one of the top beach volleyball coaches in the country, and she has assembled a staff of experienced and knowledgeable coaches.
Third, Morehead State has invested in its beach volleyball facilities. The Eagles have one of the best beach volleyball facilities in the OVC, and it gives them a competitive advantage in recruiting and training.
The combination of talented players, a dedicated coaching staff, and state-of-the-art facilities has made Morehead State beach volleyball a force to be reckoned with in the OVC. The Eagles are poised to continue their success in the years to come.
Challenges:
Despite their success, Morehead State beach volleyball faces some challenges. One challenge is the competitive nature of the OVC. The OVC is home to several strong beach volleyball programs, and Morehead State must continue to improve in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Another challenge is the weather. Morehead State is located in Kentucky, and the weather can be unpredictable. The Eagles must be able to adjust to different weather conditions in order to be successful.
Practical Significance:
The success of Morehead State beach volleyball is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff. The Eagles have shown that it is possible to build a successful beach volleyball program in a short amount of time. Morehead State’s success is also a source of pride for the university and the community.
2. Success
The success of Morehead State beach volleyball is due to a number of factors, including:
- Talented players: Morehead State has recruited some of the top beach volleyball players in the country. The Eagles have a roster full of skilled and experienced players who are capable of competing at a high level.
- Dedicated coaching staff: Head coach Jaime Gordon is one of the top beach volleyball coaches in the country. She has assembled a staff of experienced and knowledgeable coaches who are committed to helping the Eagles succeed.
- State-of-the-art facilities: Morehead State has one of the best beach volleyball facilities in the OVC. The Eagles have access to a dedicated practice facility and a competition court that meets NCAA standards.
- Competitive conference: The OVC is one of the top beach volleyball conferences in the country. Morehead State has to compete against some of the best teams in the country in order to win the conference championship.
The combination of these factors has led to the success of Morehead State beach volleyball. The Eagles have quickly become one of the top teams in the OVC and have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country.
3. Coaching
The hiring of Jaime Gordon as head coach in 2023 is a significant development for Morehead State beach volleyball. Gordon is a highly experienced and successful coach who has a proven track record of success at the collegiate level. In her two seasons as an assistant coach at Stetson University, Gordon helped the Hatters to a pair of ASUN Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. She also coached four All-Americans and 11 All-Conference selections.
- Gordon’s experience and success as a coach will be a major asset to Morehead State. She has a deep understanding of the game and knows how to get the most out of her players. She is also a great recruiter and has a knack for finding talented athletes who are a good fit for her program.
- Gordon’s hiring is a sign that Morehead State is committed to building a successful beach volleyball program. The Eagles have made a significant investment in their facilities and are now led by one of the top coaches in the country. This combination should help Morehead State compete for championships in the years to come.
- Gordon’s arrival is also a boost for the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The OVC is one of the top beach volleyball conferences in the country, and Gordon’s presence will only make it stronger. This will benefit all of the teams in the conference, as they will now have to compete against one of the best coaches in the country.
Overall, the hiring of Jaime Gordon as head coach is a positive development for Morehead State beach volleyball. She is a highly experienced and successful coach who has a proven track record of success at the collegiate level. Her hiring is a sign that
Morehead State is committed to building a successful beach volleyball program.
4. Players
Morehead State beach volleyball has a talented roster led by All-American Olivia Lohmeier. Lohmeier is a two-time All-American and the 2022 OVC Player of the Year. She is one of the best beach volleyball players in the country and is a key reason for the Eagles’ success.
In addition to Lohmeier, Morehead State has a number of other talented players. The Eagles have a strong core of experienced players, as well as a number of promising newcomers. This blend of experience and youth gives Morehead State a good mix of talent and depth.
The Eagles’ talented roster is one of the main reasons for their success. Morehead State has won the OVC Championship twice in the past three years, and they have advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice. The Eagles are one of the top teams in the OVC and are poised for continued success in the years to come.
Here is a table that summarizes the key players on Morehead State’s roster:
| Name | Position | Year | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia Lohmeier | Outside hitter | Senior | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Hannah Keating | Outside hitter | Junior | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Sarah Joiner | Middle blocker | Junior | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Mikayla Reed | Middle blocker | Sophomore | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Emma Carter | Setter | Freshman | Louisville, Kentucky |
5. Facilities
The facilities at Morehead State University are a key part of the success of the beach volleyball program. The Eagles have one of the best beach volleyball facilities in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), and it gives them a competitive advantage in recruiting and training.
- Practice facility: The Eagles have a dedicated practice facility that is used for both indoor and outdoor training. The facility includes six courts, a weight room, and a film room. This allows the Eagles to practice in any weather condition and to have access to the best possible training equipment.
- Competition court: The Eagles’ competition court is one of the best in the OVC. The court is located on the campus of Morehead State University and meets all NCAA standards. The court has a sand surface that is designed to provide optimal playing conditions.
- Location: The Eagles’ facilities are located in Morehead, Kentucky, which is a small town with a population of around 10,000 people. The town is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and it offers a beautiful setting for beach volleyball. The Eagles’ facilities are also located near a number of other colleges and universities, which allows them to compete against a variety of opponents.
- Staff: The Eagles have a dedicated staff of coaches and trainers who are committed to helping the team succeed. The staff is led by head coach Jaime Gordon, who is one of the top beach volleyball coaches in the country. The staff also includes assistant coach Alicia Ogelsby and graduate assistant coach Sarah Joiner.
The combination of these factors makes the Morehead State beach volleyball facilities one of the best in the OVC. The Eagles have everything they need to succeed, and they are poised to continue their success in the years to come.
6. Schedule
Morehead State beach volleyball’s challenging schedule is a key part of the team’s success. The Eagles play a number of top teams throughout the season, which helps them to prepare for the postseason. In 2023, Morehead State’s schedule includes matches against:
- Florida State University
- University of Southern California
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Hawaii
- Pepperdine University
These are all top-10 teams in the country, and Morehead State will be tested every time they step on the court. However, the Eagles are confident that they can compete with anyone. They have a talented roster and a great coaching staff, and they are ready for the challenge.
The Eagles’ challenging schedule also helps them to prepare for the postseason. The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination tournament, and there is no room for error. Morehead State knows that they will need to be at their best in order to win the national championship, and their challenging schedule will help them to get there.
7. Goals
The goals of the Morehead State beach volleyball team are ambitious, but they are also realistic. The Eagles have won the OVC Championship twice in the past three years, and they have advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice. They have a talented roster and a great coaching staff, and they are confident that they can compete for a national championship in 2023.
- Winning the OVC Championship: The OVC is one of the top beach volleyball conferences in the country, and winning the championship would be a major accomplishment for Morehead State. The Eagles have a tough schedule in 2023, but they are confident that they can win the OVC title.
- Advancing to the NCAA Tournament: The NCAA Tournament is the most prestigious event in college beach volleyball. Morehead State has advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice in the past three years, and they are hoping to make it three in a row in 2023.
- Competing for a national championship: Morehead State has never won a national championship in beach volleyball, but they believe that they have the potential to do so in 2023. The Eagles have a talented roster and a great coaching staff, and they are confident that they can compete with anyone in the country.
The goals of the Morehead State beach volleyball team are ambitious, but they are also realistic. The Eagles have a talented roster and a great coaching staff, and they are confident that they can achieve their goals in 2023.
8. Challenges
The Morehead State beach volleyball team faces a number of challenges in 2023, including the loss of some key players from last season’s team. The Eagles lost four starters from last year’s team, including All-American Olivia Lohmeier. This will be a significant challenge for Morehead State, as Lohmeier was one of the best players in the country.
- Replacing lost talent: The Eagles will need to find a way to replace the production of Lohmeier and the other departed players. This will be a difficult task, as Lohmeier was a domina
nt force on both offense and defense. - Building team chemistry: Losing four starters will also make it difficult for Morehead State to build team chemistry. The Eagles will need to find a way to quickly gel as a unit in order to be successful.
- Adjusting to new roles: The Eagles will also need to adjust to new roles in 2023. Some players will need to step up and take on larger roles, while others will need to learn new positions.
- Staying healthy: Injuries are always a concern in beach volleyball, and the Eagles will need to stay healthy in order to be successful. Losing key players to injuries would be a major setback for Morehead State.
Despite the challenges, the Eagles are confident that they can overcome the loss of some key players from last season’s team. They have a talented roster and a great coaching staff, and they are ready to work hard to achieve their goals.
FAQs on Morehead State Beach Volleyball
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Morehead State’s beach volleyball program.
Question 1: When was Morehead State’s beach volleyball program founded?
Answer: Morehead State’s beach volleyball program was founded in 2016.
Question 2: Who is the current head coach of Morehead State’s beach volleyball team?
Answer: Jaime Gordon is the current head coach of Morehead State’s beach volleyball team.
Question 3: What is the name of Morehead State’s beach volleyball facility?
Answer: Morehead State’s beach volleyball facility is called the Eagle Beach Volleyball Complex.
Question 4: How many OVC Championships has Morehead State’s beach volleyball team won?
Answer: Morehead State’s beach volleyball team has won two OVC Championships.
Question 5: How many times has Morehead State’s beach volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament?
Answer: Morehead State’s beach volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice.
Question 6: Who are some of the key players on Morehead State’s beach volleyball team?
Answer: Some of the key players on Morehead State’s beach volleyball team include Olivia Lohmeier, Hannah Keating, Sarah Joiner, Mikayla Reed, and Emma Carter.
These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of Morehead State’s beach volleyball program, addressing common questions about the team’s history, coaching staff, facilities, and key players.
Transition to the next article section…
Morehead State Beach Volleyball Tips
Morehead State’s beach volleyball program has quickly become one of the top programs in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The Eagles have won two OVC Championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice in just six seasons of existence. Here are a few tips that have contributed to the success of Morehead State beach volleyball:
Tip 1: Recruit talented players. Morehead State has a history of recruiting some of the top beach volleyball players in the country. The Eagles have a roster full of skilled and experienced players who are capable of competing at a high level.
Tip 2: Hire a great coaching staff. Head coach Jaime Gordon is one of the top beach volleyball coaches in the country. She has assembled a staff of experienced and knowledgeable coaches who are committed to helping the Eagles succeed.
Tip 3: Invest in state-of-the-art facilities. Morehead State has one of the best beach volleyball facilities in the OVC. The Eagles have access to a dedicated practice facility and a competition court that meets NCAA standards.
Tip 4: Play a challenging schedule. Morehead State plays a challenging schedule that includes matches against some of the top teams in the country. This helps the Eagles to prepare for the postseason and to compete at a high level.
Tip 5: Build a strong team culture. Morehead State’s beach volleyball program has a strong team culture that is based on hard work, dedication, and respect. This culture has helped the Eagles to achieve success on and off the court.
Summary:
By following these tips, Morehead State beach volleyball has become one of the top programs in the OVC. The Eagles have a talented roster, a great coaching staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and a challenging schedule. These factors have all contributed to the success of Morehead State beach volleyball.
Conclusion
Morehead State beach volleyball is a rising star in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). In just six seasons of existence, the Eagles have won two OVC Championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice. The program’s success is due to a number of factors, including talented players, a great coaching staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and a challenging schedule.
The future is bright for Morehead State beach volleyball. The Eagles have a young and talented roster, and they are poised to continue their success in the years to come. The program is a source of pride for the university and the community, and it is an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
