Coaches on the Beach

Billy Allen is the Assistant Coach and Player Development Coordinator for Stanford Beach Volleyball. Since joining in 2023, he has helped guide the Cardinal to record-breaking seasons, including their first MPSF championship and multiple AVCA All-American honors. A former three-time AVP champion and member of the USA Beach National Team, Allen brings elite playing experience along with a strong coaching background at the club, collegiate, and professional levels. He is also the co-host of the Coach Your Brains Out podcast and author of two coaching books.

Angie Akers is the Associate Head Coach of the Texas Longhorns beach volleyball team. A former elite collegiate and professional beach volleyball player, Angie began her coaching career internationally with the Dutch national teams, including at the Rio Olympics, and reached the pinnacle as head coach of the USA’s gold-medal-winning duo at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. After two successful seasons as Assistant Head Coach at Loyola Marymount—where she helped secure back-to-back conference championships—she joined Texas in 2023 and was promoted in 2025. Since her arrival, the Longhorns have captured their first-ever CCSA title and earned a spot in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Known for her athlete-first approach and dedicated mentorship, Angie is deeply respected for both her competitive insight and her ability to build character on and off the sand. A Notre Dame alumna, she still holds school records in aces and kills and even completed the 2001 Boston Marathon in 3:24. Married to former Notre Dame football standout Jeremy Akers, she brings elite-level experience, leadership, and a passion for holistic athlete development to the Forty Acres.

Dan Stephens, Head Beach Volleyball Coach at Corban University, has been instrumental in building the Warriors into a national powerhouse since the program’s launch in 2020. After serving as an assistant, he took over as head coach in 2023 and quickly led the team to multiple Cascade Collegiate Conference titles, national tournament runs, and a 49–7 overall record. Named the 2025 CCC Coach of the Year, Stephens emphasizes fundamentals, hard work, and spiritual growth, fostering both athletic excellence and character development in his athletes. A longtime volleyball competitor and club coach, as well as a successful business owner, he brings decades of experience and leadership to the program.

Kelly Reeves is in her second season as an assistant coach with UCLA Beach Volleyball, returning to Westwood where she made history as a Bruin. As a player, she helped UCLA win the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championship and became the program’s first beach All-American in 2013. Her coaching journey has taken her through the club, collegiate, and national ranks—including guiding LMU to its best-ever NCAA finish and being recognized on the AVCA “Thirty Under 30” list. Now back at her alma mater, Kelly brings championship experience, a passion for player development, and a unique perspective as both a decorated player and rising coach in the beach volleyball world.

On our 100th episode published we brought back a hard hitter! Beth Van Fleet! Need I say more... its always an amazing conversation with Beth!