From Gardendale to Nebraska, to pro-level lights with the PVF’s Atlanta Vibe, and now, right back where it all began. Merritt Beason’s volleyball journey has been nothing short of full-circle magic. The former NCAA powerhouse isn’t just thriving as a pro athlete, she’s now rocking a whole new title—head coach of Gardendale (Ala.) High School’s volleyball squad. The news first hit social media when Nebraska staff writer Abby Barmore casually dropped the bomb on March 23, and let’s just say, the internet definitely felt the tremor. “Former Nebraska volleyball All-American Merritt Beason is the next head volleyball coach at her alma mater, Gardendale (Ala.) High School,” she wrote.
And if that wasn’t cool enough, Beason’s still competing professionally—so she’s literally doing both. Living the dream and giving back. What makes this all the more poetic is how Merritt herself opened up about Nebraska’s role in helping her say yes to this new chapter. The same gym where she once served up aces as a high schooler will now be her coaching kingdom. Officials at Gardendale are hyped; her parents, Scott and Lori, are beaming with pride. And the volleyball world? They’re watching a star turn into a mentor right before our eyes.
In a video shared by Matt Sottile, KETV Sports Reporter, Merritt Beason laid it all out, explaining how her journey from Nebraska to now has shaped her new role. Talking about the support she got, she said, “Well first they were working with me so I knew that it was not something that I was willing to do if it was gonna be like take away from obviously this, this is my first priority.” It’s clear that her heart is still fully in the game with the Atlanta Vibe, but what really sparked her passion for this new role is a dream that’s been simmering for a while.
“One of my big dreams is to change volleyball in Alabama and in my hometown,” she shared, emphasizing how much she wants to bring that Nebraska-level energy to her roots. As she reflected on her journey, Merritt said, “I did camps in my hometown and I’m trying to do that in any way possible and that’s kind of just a stepping stone.” Her experience at Nebraska wasn’t just about winning games—it was about understanding the power of volleyball on a bigger scale. “Experiencing how Nebraska was here and like being a part of it and coming back and just seeing how huge volleyball is, that’s something that I want to take down south, but specifically to Alabama.”
“One of my big dreams is to change volleyball in Alabama.”
Merritt Beason explained how Nebraska played a part in her accepting the head coaching job at her alma mater, Gardendale (AL) High School.
H/T @avariehoward31 for the question.@KETV | @merbson | #Huskers pic.twitter.com/cFQreBh8YF
— Matt Sottile (@MSottileTV) April 20, 2025
She’s ready to turn this coaching opportunity into something bigger, adding, “It’s just kind of the first little stepping stone and hopefully changing that.” It’s clear: Merritt Beason is taking her roots, her dreams, and her vision for Alabama volleyball to a whole new level. But there’s more than just raw talent behind this smooth transition. Beason is hungry to prove herself in her rookie season, determined to show she’s got what it takes to make it in the pro volleyball world. What’s really helping her settle in so well, though? That Nebraska connection.
If Nebraska volleyball is a finely cooked dish, then John Cook is the chef. The man’s got a 43-year coaching legacy, 25 of which he spent at Nebraska, winning national titles and shaping the best players. And for Beason, that connection runs even deeper through Kayla Banwarth, her coach at Atlanta. Banwarth, a former Husker libero, coached Beason in Nebraska’s camp, leading the team to championships, and now she’s guiding Beason in Atlanta. When Beason was asked about working with a former Husker, her eyes lit up.
“So, it’s pretty comforting,” she shared, explaining how having someone with that Nebraska pedigree around makes everything feel a little more familiar. “Obviously, she was a great volleyball player and a great coach, and just having that connection is… really special.” It’s clear the Nebraska bond still holds a special place in her heart, even as she navigates this new chapter in Atlanta. And Beason isn’t just thankful for the guidance; she’s also reflecting on how much easier this transition has been because of it. “I have been here a few days, but so far, it’s pretty similar. So, it’s comforting, and it makes the switch a little bit easier to ease into things,” she added. And hey, let’s not forget there was a time when Merritt almost took a completely different route, one that didn’t involve volleyball at all.
Ex Nebraska star reveals choosing an alternate career!
Back in November, the former Nebraska setter sat in front of the press, her eyes gleaming with emotion, soaking in the full gravity of the moment. When a reporter asked her if little Merritt Beason could ever have imagined reaching such heights, her response was a simple, “no.” She paused, took a deep breath, and opened up about her roots, reflecting on how young Merritt from Alabama never pictured herself here. “Little Merritt hoped to go to community college right down the road… volleyball wasn’t a big thing.” In a place where the sport was nearly nonexistent, she never thought it could take her this far.
Growing up in Alabama, it wasn’t about volleyball—it was all about football, cheerleading, and maybe some softball. Volleyball? Yeah, that wasn’t even on the radar. “It’s just something you don’t really dream of,” she said, acknowledging how players like Rebekah Allick, who grew up immersed in the sport, had a totally different experience. As for Merritt? She even thought about taking a totally different path—cheerleading. “I almost tried out for cheer instead,” she chuckled, clearly relieved she didn’t follow through with that idea.
But then fate stepped in, guiding her into a world she never expected. That world, which once seemed so distant, quickly became her passion, her career, and eventually her legacy. It’s crazy to think that all those years ago, Merritt never imagined volleyball would be her life’s work, but here she is, standing tall in the very sport she never thought she’d even play.
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