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 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. 

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.  

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.