Craig Harmeling — Cincinnati Volleyball Academy coach
CVA Coach

Craig Harmeling

Assistant Coach · 14-Scarlet

I'm Craig Harmeling, and I've got 14-Scarlet at CVA this season. There's one skill I never get bored of, and it's the mental side. I care more about the next point than the last one, and I coach it that way. Serving runs a close second. Coaching has taken up the better part of a decade of my life, two of them with this age group. I have been a head coach at St. Francis de Sales for several years. and I compare notes every week, and your athlete gets the best of both of us. The best way to evaluate me is in the gym. Come watch a practice — you'll know within twenty minutes.

If your athlete shanks three in a row in a tight set, here's what happens. I promote student-centered feedback that guides them to identifying a mistake and how to resolve it moving forward. My practices are fast, with very little standing around.

I started playing volleyball as an adult and regularly play sand and indoor volleyball with other local coaches. I still play alumni and pickup games and adult league.

The honest version of who shouldn't sign up: an athlete who expects guaranteed minutes without earning them. So there's no confusion later: I give each kid a role and I say it out loud. The worst thing for an athlete is not knowing.

We all make mistakes; reactions matter. Ask my athletes what they'd change about me and they'll say my warm-up playlist.

On talking to me: my inbox is open and I answer within twenty-four hours.

Certified: SafeSport · Background screened · CPR / AED · College degree

Email me with questions. I'd rather you judged me on a practice than a paragraph.

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