Episodes

Nov 25

How do you follow up a podcast with the coach of a back-to-back State Champ? You bring on another back-to-back State Champ! It is a back-to-back back-to-back. Join us as we talk with Kathleen Rustad and Nicole Martin of the 2025 Class AA State Champion Hawley Nuggets.

Nov 20

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!

Nov 14

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!

Oct 13

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!

Aug 23

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.

Aug 9

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.

Aug 5

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.

Jul 17

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!

Jul 8

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.

Jun 30

We are excited to be joined by Tod Mattox for this episode. Tod is a coach from the west coast with 40+ years of experience. He is a co-founder of the VolleyPod and has recently released two books of lists for volleyball coaches, players, and parents. In this episode, Tod outlines 10 reasons (plus a bonus reason) to attend a coaching clinic. After listening, remember to register for the MNVBCA Coaches Clinic being held on July 30th and 31st at Lakeville South High School.

Jun 23

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.

Jun 16

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.

Jun 12

Looking for some creative ways to train youth players in your program? This is the episode for you! Join us as we talk with Stephen Willingham (Lakeville South Cougars) about thinking differently about the ways that we train younger players in volleyball. Learn what he means by an "up and down" ball. What does "high and halfway" mean? Coach Willingham is one of the greatest minds in Minnesota volleyball. We are sure you will pull a couple of nuggets of wisdom from this episode (and the next...this is a two parter).

Jun 2

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!

Oct 21, 2024

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.

Sep 30, 2024

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.

Sep 23, 2024

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.

Sep 9, 2024

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.

Sep 2, 2024

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.

Aug 25, 2024

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.

Aug 19, 2024

In this episode, Lonnie Morken (Mabel-Canton), Josh Wastvedt (Burnsville), and Darin Swenson (Litchfield) talk about the things you should be thinking about before you host your first match of the season.

Aug 11, 2024

The 2024 Minnesota volleyball season is here! Join Darin Swenson (Litchfield) and Greg Sayuk (New Prague) in a discussion about recommendations (and in some cases, requirements) for running and participating in a preseason and post-season scrimmage.

Aug 4, 2024

Building a successful volleyball program is more than teaching the fundamentals and skills of the game. Join our conversation with Kelsey Morken (Spring Grove) as she shares a number of ways that you can help build and promote your program on the court, in your school, and in your community.

Jul 28, 2024

The 2024 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic is over, but that doesn't mean we stop talking about it. Join Darin Swenson (Litchfield), Becca Pulju (Sebeka), and Greg Ueland (Roseville) as they recap their favorite takeaways from this year's clinic.

Jul 22, 2024

What does your first practice look like? We chat with Lonnie Morken (Mabel-Canton), Marty Kiebel (Maple Lake), and Greg Ueland (Roseville) and get some ideas of what their first day (or week) of practice will look like this year.

Jul 17, 2024

The season is going to be here before you know it. Let's have a quick discussion some of the things that you should have on your "Preseason Checklist" as a coach. Greg Sayuk, head coach of the New Prague Trojans, joins us to talk about a few of the things that you should be thinking about before Day 1!

Jul 14, 2024

In this episode, we learn about why The MNVBCA Pod was created and what we can look forward to in the future!

Jul 10, 2024

The man behind it all tells us why this year's clinic is going to be awesome! In this episode, we are joined by Clinic Director Greg Ueland from Roseville to hear about why this year's clinic is perfect for all coaches!

Jul 8, 2024

In the latest episode of Summer Clinic Shop Talk, we talk with Becca Pulju from Sebeka about the Coaches Clinic. Becca is excited for the clinic so that she can spend a few more days with her people!

Jul 5, 2024

In the latest episode of Summer Clinic Shop Talk, we talk with Andy Guggisberg about the Coaches Clinic. Andy is not only a regular presenter, he is one of the clinic's best storytellers!

Jul 4, 2024

In this episode, we are joined by Lonnie Morken of Mabel-Canton. Hear what Lonnie loves about the clinic. Spoiler alert... he loves it all.

Jul 4, 2024

In this first episode of Summer Clinic Shop Talk, hear why Maple Lake Irish coach, Marty Kiebel, loves the MNVBCA Coaches Clinic and why he thinks you should attend this year.