The MNVBCA Pod

Join us in this 4 part series where we talk with the head coach of the State Championship teams from each class.  In the second episode of the series, we are joined by Stephen Willingham (Lakeville South Cougars) and talked about their Back-to-Back State Titles! 

Join us in this 4 part series where we talk with the head coach of the State Championship teams from each class.  In the first episode of the series, we chat with Dan Westby (Marshall Tigers) and hear about the experience of winning the school's 10th State Title! 

How do you follow up an episode where we talked to the coach of a 7-time State Champion program?  Bring on another 7-time State Champion coach...and her daughter...who is now her boss.  We are excited for the opportunity to talk with Kathy Gillen-Melville and McKenna Melville of the Eagan Wildcats! 

How do you go from being the coach during the first volleyball match you ever watched, to winning 7 State Titles?  Well, as this coach would say, "I try not to screw things up."  In this episode, you will hear from MNVBCA Hall of Famer Franz Boelter (Medford, Bethlethem Acadamy, New Prague, Northfield) as he tells the story of his journey through Minnesota volleyball.  

We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Becca Rue, the head coach of the Delano Tigers.  The Tigers have been consistently one of the top programs in the state for the past two decades.  In this episode, we get to learn a little of the history behind Coach Rue's journey in the volleyball world.  We also get to hear a couple of the ingredients that go into the Tiger recipe for success.  

Join Darin Swenson (Litchfield), Becca Pulju (Sebeka), and Greg Ueland (Roseville) as they discuss their highlights from this year's MNVBCA Coaches Clinic.  It was another great year to attend the clinic.  If you missed out, maybe you can get a taste of what everyone else experienced by listening to this episode.  

Curious who is presenting at this year's clinic? Wondering what they are going to talk about?  Join Greg Ueland (Roseville) and Darin Swenson (Litchfield) as they preview this year's schedule! 

In this episode we are joined by one of the driving forces behind the journey to get boys volleyball sanctioned by the MSHSL in Minnesota!  Krista Fleming (Shakopee Sabers) joins us to talk about the long road she and Jenny Kilkelly (and many others) took to make boys volleyball in Minnesota a reality.  An hour isn't nearly enough time to tell the whole story, but we hope you enjoy the compressed version of the saga. 

The MNVBCA Coaches Clinic is July 30th and 31st at Lakeville South High School.  This year we are excited to welcome Michigan State University Head Coach (and former University of Minnesota Assistant Coach), Kristen Kelsay as our Keynote Speaker.  Join us for this episode as we get to know Kristen, learn what she has planned for the Spartans, and get a peak at what she has in store for us at the 2025 Clinic.  

We continue our discussion with Stephen Willingham (Lakeville South Cougars).  If you enjoyed Part 1 of this discussion, you are going to love the conclusion.  Find out why Coach Willingham feels the need to apologize for our game, but refuses to do so.  

We are back for a 2nd Season of the MNVBCA Pod! In this episode, we chat with the new MNVBCA President, Lonnie Morken from Mabel-Canton.  What does the future of Minnesota Volleyball look like? What are you looking forward to this summer?  Join us for Season 2 of the MNVBCA Pod! 

We are nearing the end of October, which means we are starting the playoffs!  Let's check in with Jackie Richter (Lakeville North Panthers) and hear how she prepares her team for the transition from the regular season to their first playoff match. 

In this episode we talk with Scott Jackson (Wayzata Trojans) about how to teach players to "play with emotion, but not be emotional players."  Coach Jackson has been a part of State Championship and National Championship teams, and he shares his perspective on helping players work through the ups and downs that can occur during practices and matches.  

In this episode we talk about making adjustments during matches and during the season.  We are joined by John Yunker, head coach of the Champlin Park Rebels (not the Patriots).  Plus, we review the MNVBCA Top 10 Coaches Poll for Week 4. Spoiler Alert...we have three new #1 teams. 

In this episode of The MNVBCA Pod we talk with Lonnie Morken (Mabel-Canton) about the best spot to serve an opponent, what is the right size for a youth volleyball team, and we discuss the latest editions of the MNVBCA Top 10 Coaches Poll.  

In the latest episode of The MNVBCA Pod, we asked ChatGPT how we could change the rules of volleyball.  Hear what Darin Swenson (Litchfield), Marty Kiebel (Maple Lake), and Greg Ueland (Roseville) thought about the proposed AI rule changes.  Plus, we reveal the first week of the MNVBCA Coaches Poll Top 10.  

Scouting is one of the ways that you can prepare your team to compete at the highest level.  In this episode, we are joined by Dan Westby (Marshall Tigers).  Dan has led the Tigers to a Minnesota record 9 State Championships.  There may not be another program in the state that scouts their opponents as much as Marshall does.  Listen in to hear the perspective on scouting from one of the best around.