The MNVBCA Pod

Coach Swenson

Hear about the latest news relating to Minnesota High School volleyball brought to you by coaches from around the state!

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20 episodes
Updated July 10

Episodes20

Newest first

July 10 · 35 min
I Was Driven to Work Hard Because I Didn't Want to Fail - Kirsten Bernthal Booth (LOVB Nebraska)
Join us as we chat with Kirsten Bernthal Booth, our Keynote Speaker for the 2026 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic. Hear a preview of her sessions and also listen as she talks about her decision to step away from Creighton Volleyball and take on a new adventure with LOVB Nebraska.
July 8 · 57 min
A Full Circle Moment - CC McGraw (MLV Minnesota)
In this episode we are joined by CC McGraw (MLV Minnesota Asst. Coach) and talk about her volleyball journey. We talk about it all! From her years as a youth player, being a part of a National Championship club team with Minnesota Select, winning Ms. Baden as a senior at Prior Lake, anchoring the defense at the University of Minnesota, breaking into the coaching ranks as an assistant with the Louisville Cardinals, and currently returning home to join the coaching staff of the new professional expansion team in Minnesota. And...CC McGraw will be one of the presenters at the MNVBCA Coaches Clinic on July 29th and 30th at Mounds View High School.
June 24 · 55 min
2026 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic Preview - Greg Ueland (Roseville Raiders/Clinic Director)
The 2026 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic is on July 29th and 30th at Mounds View High School. Interested to know who is going to be there? Wondering what they are going to talk about? Join Greg Ueland (Roseville) and Darin Swenson (Litchfield) as they preview this year's schedule!
March 5 · 1 hr 15 min
Was that a dig? Maybe? - Erika Bailey-Johnson (Bemidji Lumberjacks)
This podcast features a fun discussion on volleyball statistics, focusing on definitions, subjectivity, and best practices for tracking and interpreting stats. Greg Sayuk (New Prague Trojans) and Erika Bailey-Johnson (Bemidji Lumberjacks) talk about how to accurately record kills, digs, blocks, and more, helping coaches and players understand the nuances of volleyball analytics. This in-depth volleyball coaching discussion covers stat tracking, game scenarios, and much more. We answer a variety of questions, and ask quiet a few more!
Nov 25, 2025 · 45 min
2025 Championship Series: Class AA - Hawley Nuggets (Kathleen Rustad and Nicole Martin)
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, 2025 · 58 min
2025 Championship Series: Class AAAA - Lakeville South Cougars (Stephen Willingham)
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, 2025 · 53 min
2025 Championship Series: Class AAA - Marshall Tigers (Dan Westby)
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, 2025 · 48 min
It Runs In The Family - Kathy Gillen-Melville & McKenna Melville (Eagan Wildcats)
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, 2025 · 1 hr
I'll Try Not To Screw This Up - Franz Boelter (MNVBCA Hall of Fame)
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, 2025 · 47 min
The Eye of the Tigers - Becca Rue (Delano Tigers)
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, 2025 · 39 min
2025 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic Recap
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, 2025 · 38 min
2025 MNVBCA Coaches Clinic Preview - Greg Ueland (Roseville Raiders/Clinic Director)
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, 2025 · 58 min
The Story Behind the Start of MN Boys Volleyball - Krista Fleming (MBVCA, Shakopee Sabers)
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, 2025 · 40 min
Top 10 Reasons To Attend A Coaching Clinic - Tod Mattox (Coast VB, The VolleyPod, The Bishop's School)
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, 2025 · 53 min
Keynote Speaker Preview - Kristen Kelsay (Michigan State University)
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, 2025 · 48 min
Part 2: Creative Thoughts On Youth Training - Stephen Willingham (Lakeville South Cougars)
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, 2025 · 47 min
Part 1: Creative Thoughts On Youth Training - Stephen Willingham (Lakeville South Cougars)
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, 2025 · 30 min
We Are Back for Season 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 · 33 min
Preparing for the Playoffs - Jackie Richter (Lakeville North Panthers)
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 · 44 min
Teaching Players How to Handle Emotions on the Court - Scott Jackson (Wayzata Trojans)
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.