Leadership Team

Shannon Mincey brings 30 years of coaching experience at the NCAA D1, D2, and NAIA levels. She started her college coaching career at ETSU before becoming the winningest coach in Carson-Newman history, leading teams to three NCAA tournament appearances and developing numerous all-conference and All-American athletes. A former King University standout and Hall of Fame inductee, Shannon has also directed club programs, coached at multiple high schools, and led international sports mission trips to Russia, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica, where she combined high-level competition with community outreach. She has helped numerous athletes earn college scholarships, making “finding the right fit” a priority. Shannon holds a master’s in Sports Management from ETSU. Her husband is the head women's basketball coach for Carson-Newman.

Melanie Morris brings over 15 years of volleyball experience, coaching athletes of all ages from local middle school programs to advanced club teams. She has served as head coach at Grace Christian Academy, where she led her teams to winning records each season and achieved multiple program milestones. Her coaching career also includes leading two teams at USA Volleyball Nationals—an elite, bid-only event—along with running developmental programs and directing numerous successful tournaments. Additionally, Melanie has guided numerous athletes through the recruiting process, helping them secure college scholarships. She continues to grow her expertise by attending national coaching clinics, conventions, and staying engaged with the latest developments in the sport.

Melanie attended Ohio State University/Lima Tech, where she earned an associate degree in Business and competed on both the Lima Tech college team and a club program while at OSU. She and her husband, Dirk, have two daughters who share her love for the sport: their oldest played beach volleyball at UT-Chattanooga, and their youngest currently plays indoor volleyball at Appalachian State University.

Torey Yocom enters her 9th year with Club Unite and currently serves as Lakeway Area Director, overseeing all teams, practices, and coach development. A former Orlando Volleyball Academy player and Carson-Newman alum, she previously coached at Maury Middle and Jefferson County, where she led the Patriots to multiple District Championships. Torey's husband is currently coaching baseball at Lakeway Christian Academy. Dedicated and experienced, she has become an integral leader in shaping young athletes in the Lakeway area both on and off the court.

Marty Yarbrough is a seasoned fixture within the Club Unite organization, having served the club faithfully for the past 8 years in a variety of roles. His ability to connect with players, impart technical wisdom, and foster a positive, motivational club culture has been a staple piece for the leadership team. As the Local Team Director, he juggles a diverse array of critical responsibilities, all in service of not only supporting the day-to-day operations of the local teams but also providing invaluable insight and guidance to help the organization continue building a robust, sustainable foundation for the club's long-term success.

Whether she is coaching a National team, directing beach players, guiding prospective collegiate athletes in their journey to find the right fit, or leading positional training sessions, Erika approaches each task with the same competitive passion and determination to help players elevate their game. Her passion for volleyball is evident not only in the knowledge she has committed to acquiring about the sport but also in the way she mentors and empowers the young women she is training. Erika played volleyball in college and continued to stay on the court for her career. She is currently the head coach of the Pellissippi State Panthers, after previously serving 6 years as the top assistant for the Walters State Volleyball program.

I began playing volleyball at 14 years old at Newbury Park High School in California, where I spent one year on Frosh/Soph before moving up as a Varsity starter for the next three years as an outside hitter. Alongside school ball, I played four years of club with Beachbones and Spectrum Volleyball Club, competing each season in the Junior Nationals Open Division and earning two medals.

Recruited at the Division I level, I chose to help launch the men’s volleyball program at Bryan College, where I played for four years and deepened my knowledge of the game. My passion for volleyball has continued well beyond college—I still compete in high-level indoor, grass, and beach tournaments across the country.

This will be my 5th year coaching and working with athletes of various ages, and I am excited to share my playing experience and love for the game with the next generation.