Minnesota Select Volleyball Club

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Coaching Staff
 
Our staff is extremely knowledgeable about volleyball and understands how to teach and train its fundamentals and strategies. More importantly, they will consistently model and teach principles integral to success in life. In short, they are dedicated to each player’s maximum growth on and off the court.  
 

Team Coaches

18-1: 
18-2:
17-1:
17-2:
17-3:
16-1: 
16-2:
15-1: 
15-2:
15-3:
14-1: 
14-2:
13-1: 
12-1: 
YDT:
Scott Jackson, George Padjen, Derek Joesting & Brady Starkey
Audrey Volstad & Jamie Lykken

Heather Pieper-Olson, Huy Nguyen, Ben Kiffmeyer & Joseph Dworak
Megan McLean & Kylie Glaser
Jesse Roles & Tony Bongaarts
Aaron Nelson, Amanda Horazdovsky & Jessica Lucia
Karl Katzenberger & John Pierce
Alyssa Jackson, Greg Cipperly & Julie Jenkins
Paul Wilson & Alison Carter
Kevin Purnell & Bridget Wakaruk
Scott Jackson, Katie Zazverskey & Megan Graham
Dave Orren & Stephanie Fixell
Christine Engel & Michelle Grice
Rhonda Kottke & Lauri Zumach
Cheryl Erickson, Jamie Jenkins, Lori Palesch & Deb Sully
Additional Training Coaches:  Gretchen Hunt, Jessica Kerr, Kimmie Moehring, Dave Abrahamson, others TBD.
 

Coaches' Bios

Scott Jackson (18-1)
Occupation:  Director, Minnesota Select Volleyball Club & Volleyball Operations Manager, Ralia Sports Center.  Education:  BA in Chemistry, Carleton College ('95).  Playing Background:  Carleton Men's Club, Setter.  Coaching Background:  '04-Present - MN Select 18-1 & 14-1 Head Coach.  8 years with Club Tonka: '03 Club Tonka Director of Coaches, '97 & '00 Club Tonka Coach of the Year.  '00-'04: Wayzata Juniors 15-1 Coach'99-present: Wayzata H.S. Head Coach: '01 Section 5AAA Coach of the Year, '04 and '06 State Tournament participant.  '97-'98: Armstrong H.S. Head Coach.  '96: Park of Cottage Grove H.S. Asst Coach.  
                                      

George Padjen (18-1)

Occupation:  Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach at Concordia University-St. Paul.  Education: University of Minnesota-Duluth.  Playing Background:  Club volleyball at Winona State.  USAV Men's AA/A.  Coaching Background:  MN Select coach ('06-present).  Assistant Coach at Concordia University ('03-present). 
Won NCAA Division II National Championship (2007).  Assistant Coach at St. Scholastica ('99-'02).

Derek Joesting (18-1)
Occupation:  
Medical Sales.  Education:  B.S Biology, Syracuse University.  Playing Background: Syracuse University Men's Team, 4 years.  Coaching Background:  Minnesota Select coach ('04-present), Wayzata High School Varsity Asst ('04-present), Wayzata Juniors 16-1 ('03-04), Club Tonka (4 years).

Brady Starkey (18-1)
Occupation:  Head Volleyball Coach at Concordia University-St. Paul.  Education:  Undergraduate degree in History from Metropolitan State University.  Coaching Background: Head Coach at Concordia University (2003-present).  Won NCAA Division II National Championship (2007).  AVCA Coach of the Year (2007).  AVCA North Central Region Coach of the Year (2003).  NSIC Coach of the Year (2003 & 2004).  Assistant Coach at Concordia University (2000-2002).  Asssistant Coach/Co-Head at the University of St. Thomas (1995-1999).  He is married to Penny Starkey and they are the parents of two daughters, Teagan Shea and Kayli Jade.

Audrey Volstad (18-2)

Volstad was a four-year starter and three-time All-MIAC setter at St. Olaf College from 2003-2006. She coached the Northfield Volleyball Club 16's and 17's teams from 2005-2007 and has also worked at numerous summer volleyball camps including Augsburg, University of Minnesota, University of Florida, and MVI. She is currently in her first year as an assistant volleyball coach at Augsburg College. Volstad, a native of Hanley Falls, Minn., attended Yellow Medicine East High School and is pursuing her master's degree in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.


Jamie Lykken (18-2)
Occupation: Account Manager at Fallon Worldwide, Minneapolis.  Education: BA in Economics, Carleton College ('06).  Playing Background: Carleton College- Libero (2-year captain, led team to first ever conference championship and NCAA berth; 2-time MIAC All-Conference; AVCA All-Region; NCAA All-American Honorable Mention), Edina High School, Junior Olympic Volleyball.  Coaching Background: Assistant Coach at Carleton College for 2006 season, MVI Volleyball Camps.

Heather Pieper-Olson
(17-1)

Education:  University of Minnesota Law School ('01-'04), St. Cloud State University - Sports Management ('99-'01), College of Charleston, Charleston, SC - Anthropology & Spanish ('94-'99). 
Playing Background: College of Charleston (4-year letter winner; 3-time captain; Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar First Team Division I - awarded to outstanding minority student-athletes), Hopkins High School, Junior Olympic Volleyball, Currently plays USAV Women's AA.  Coaching Background:  '04- present, MN Select 17-1 Head Coach.  Graduate Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach, St. Cloud State University ('99-'01).  Over 12 years of experience coaching camps including U of M, MN Select, M1, Northern Lights, St. Cloud State, and Wayzata.


Huy Nguyen
(17-1)
Occupation:   7th Grade American History Teacher at Sunrise Park Middle School, White Bear Lake.  Education: St Mary’s University – Winona, MN  (M.Ed. Teaching and Learning, 1998) University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA  (B.A. in Political Science, 1992).  Playing Background: 
University of Iowa Men’s Club – Setter Coaching Background:  MN Select 17-1 Coach (2004-present), 9 years (1995 – 2003) as White Bear Lake Varsity Head Coach (Overall record: 202-69)Played in Section IV Championship Finals eight out of those nine years.  3 State Tournament Appearances --- 1999  2nd Place, 1998 3rd Place, 1995  6th Place.  5 Conference Championships.   Section IV – AAA Coach of the Year in 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996.  11 years with White Bear Lake Junior Olympic Team(s).  12 years as summer camp clinician with Midwest Volleyball Instructors.  IMPACT & CAP I Certified.  Huy and his wife, Cheryl, live in Maple Grove with their son Joshua (5) and daughter Jordan (3).

Ben Kiffmeyer (17-1)

Occupation: Sales Rep, Outdoor Product Sales Assoc. Inc., Representing The North Face, Inc. a VF Outdoor Inc. Co.  Education: Osseo HS, N Hennepin CC, St. Cloud State University.  Coaching Background: MN Select Coach ('03-Present), Volunteer Coach Osseo HS '93-'96, Maple Grove 10th Grade Coach '00, JO's Coon Rapids 16-2 '96, White Bear Lake 18-1's '99, Wayzata 17-1's '00, Academy 17-1's '01 (Northern California).  Additional Info: Ben and his wife Cari Jo live in St. Michael and have 3 children, Elizabeth (7),  Emma (5) and Ethan (1).

Joseph Dworak (17-1)

Education:  Bethel University BA – History, Bethel Seminary MA – Theology.  Employment: Trans-Regional Director of Admissions & Recruitment for Bethel Seminary.  Coaching Experience:  College of St. Catherine 2005 – Present  Assistant Coach, Minnesota Select 2005 – Present, Bethel University 2000 Assistant Coach.  Playing Experience:  Bethel University 1996, Lyons Township High School 1993.

Megan McLean (17-2)
Education and Career:  Attended University of Minnesota for undergraduate and graduate work.
Social Studies Teacher, currently working as a substitute teacher.  Playing Background: Coon Rapids High School- 4 year varsity player- all state honorable mention. Minnesota One Volleyball Club- 2nd place at 2000 JO Nationals. Club Tonka-- won the Northern Lights Qualifier playing for Scott Jackson and 2002-Heart of The Game Award.  1 year at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.  Coaching Background: 4th season at Minnesota Select (2005- present).  1 year at CRVC (2006).  3 years assistant at Coon Rapids High School (2004-2006).  1 year Head Coach at Coon Rapids High School (2007-present).


Kylie Glaser (17-2)
Occupation:  Co-Manager at Yellow Brick Road Child Care.  Education:  Graduated in 2004 from St. Cloud Technical Collage with an AAS Degree in Early Childhood Education. Playing Background:  Played volleyball at Millard North High school in Omaha, NE.  Also played JO's with River City Juniors volleyball club for four years.   In 2000, played one year for St. Cloud State University as a middle blocker.  My collegiate career ended after one year due to injury.  Coaching Background:  Coached middle position training for MN Select in 2005.  Currently Head JV coach and assistant Varsity coach at Providence Academy.

Jesse Roles (17-3)
Education:  BS Biology, UMD.  Playing Background:  UMD Men's Volleyball Club, 1999-2003, Captain, 2001-2003.  Univeristy of Minnesota Men's Volleyball Club, 2003-2004.  Coaching Background:  Head Coach, Centennial Volleyball Club (CVC), 18-club, 2005-2006, 1st Place Northern Power League Conference.  Specialty Coach, CVC, 2006-2007.  Head Coach, CVC 16-2, 2006-2007. 

Tony Bongaarts (17-3)

Occupation:  Buyer, Control Products, Inc.  Education:  University of Minnesota, Music Education.  Playing Background:  U of M club team 3 years, Team SOTA ½ year, Junior Nationals beach.  Coaching Background:  Coaching with Minnesota Select Volleyball Club since 2005.  Player/Coach U of M club 2 years, Head Coach Spring Lake Park 2 years, Assistant Coach Robinsdale for a half a season.  Conducted 6 passing and form clinics for Western Empire Volleyball Association in Rochester, NY, and 2 adult hitting clinics at Minnetonka West Junior High.


Aaron Nelson (16-1)
currently the assistant volleyball coach at St. Cloud State University.  An Austin, Minn. native, Nelson attended Sauk Rapids High School and went on to St. Cloud State University where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees.  He brings 16 years of volleyball coaching experience to MN Select.  Before his appointment to SCSU in March 2007, he had been a head coach at the 18's and 16's levels for the Nebraska Elite Junior Olympic Volleyball program in Omaha. His teams won the Great Plains region tournament to go to the national tournament each of the past 3 seasons.  Nelson was also the head coach at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, where his teams compiled a 37-32 overall record, and made two straight GPAC post season tournament appearances.  Prior to his head coaching experience, Nelson was an assistant at South Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, the University of MN Crookston and Northern Michigan University.  He also played volleyball at SCSU as a member of the men's club volleyball team in 1994, 1998, and 1999.

Amanda Horazdovsky (16-1)

Occupation:  Math Teacher at Wayzata Central Middle School.  Education:  Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Education with Middle School Math Specialty from Concordia University.  Playing Background:  Concordia University-St. Paul ('00-'04): National Championship Runner-up ('03).  White Bear Lake High School ('97-'00): State Championship Runner-up ('99), 3rd place ('98).  White Bear Lake Juniors.  Coaching Background:  Coach for Minnesota Select ('05-present), Central Middle School ('06-present), Volunteer Assistant Coach at Concordia University ('05-present), Varsity Assistant at Mounds View High School ('04), White Bear Lake Juniors ('00-'05). 

Jessica Lucia
(16-1)
Occupation:  Teacher.  Education:  Graduated from Wayzata High School. Undergraduate degree from Concordia University.  Playing Background:  3 years at Wayzata High School.  Played JO volleyball (Wayzata and M1).  Played for Concordia University - St. Paul.  Was a two time first team All-American while at CU.  Made it to the National Championship in 2003 and the Elite Eight in 2005.  Coaching Background:  Coaching with Minnesota Select since 2006.  Coached J.O. volleyball for 3 years at White Bear Lake Juniors.  9th grade coach at Orono High School during fall 2007.


Karl Katzenberger
(16-2)
Occupation:  Student and Independent Consultant.  Education:  TV and Radio Broadcasting Certificate - Brown Institute.  Playing Background:  Club volleyball in high school and college. Retired from USAV men's volleyball in 2003 after winning Silver at 2003 USAV Nationals.  Currently enjoy playing men's doubles beach volleyball at Lake Calhoun and local and regional beach volleyball tournaments.  Coaching Background:  
Coaching with Minnesota Select Volleyball Club since 2005.  Have been coaching volleyball for 8 years; every level from Junior High, High School, Elite level JO, and Collegiate. Head Volleyball Coach at Armstrong School since fall of 2006.

John Pierce
(16-2)
Occupation: Web Programmer / IT Administrator.  Education: A.A.S. in CADD and Web Programming w/ Visual Basic.  Playing Background: 6 years USAV Mens BB.  12+ years playing indoor/outdoor open volleyball.  Coaching Background: MN Select Coach - '04-Present.  9th Grade coach at Armstrong - '06-present.  Club Tonka: 6 Years.  Blake High School: 15 Years.  Eden Prairie Juniors: 2 Years.  CAP Level I - Certified CAP Level II - Attended.  2001 - Club Tonka "Coach of the Year" Award.

Alyssa Jackson
(15-1)
Occupation: Club  Director, MN Select VBC.  Education: Cornell College - Mount Vernon, Iowa / Hopkins High School.  Playing Background: Cornell College, Hopkins High School and club volleyball.  Coaching Background:  Minnesota Select Head Coach ('03-present).  5 years with Club Tonka ('99-'03); Club Tonka Coach of the Year ('02).  3 years with Iowa clubs ('96-'98):  Rapid Spikers and CeMar VBC.  High School:  '04-'06 - Wayzata HS, 9th grade.  '00, '01 - Benilde-St.Margaret's, JV.  '99 - Benilde-St.Margaret's, 9th grade.  '98 - Armstrong High School, B squad.

Greg Cipperly
(15-1)
Greg Cipperly is in his fifth season as the Andover High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach.  Greg also coached volleyball at Anoka High School and Anoka Juniors Volleyball Club.  Greg has been coaching with MN Select since 2006. 
Greg and Joy live in Andover and have three daughters, Amanda (husband Wade), Tara, and Lauren.

Julie Jenkins
(15-1)
Occupation: College Student, Augsburg College. Education: Currently a senior at Augsburg College, Chemistry major with a business, psychology and law minors. Spent two years at the University of Northern Iowa before transferring to Augsburg. Playing Background: 3 years at Edina high school (All conference junior and senior year, team captain senior year), 2 years club tonka, 2 years Northern Lights Juniors, 1 year Minnesota Select 18-1 and currently playing at Augsburg College.  Coaching Background: MN Select 15-2s (2007), helped with MN Select 18-2's (2006), University of Minnesota summer camps, Augsburg College camps, Chaska camps and Edina camps.

Paul Wilson (15-2)
Occupation:  Register for Twin Cities Orthopedics.  Education: BA in History and Social Studies Education from St. Olaf.  Playing background:  Club Volleyball at St. Olaf. 
Coaching Background:  95-96 Volunteer assistant Varsity and JV Webb High School, Assistant to Reedsburg Boys Club.  97-98 JV for St Paul Academy.  98-99 Head for Minneapolis Community and Technical College.  99-01 Varsity Head coach for Richfield High School.  01-02 JV for Augsburg College.  02-03 B squad for Benilde St Margaret's.  05-06 JV for Benilde St Margaret's.  06-present Varsity Assistant for Armstrong.  Club Volleyball:  '97 18-1 Mounds View, 98-06 Club Tonka, 05-06 Coach's Trainer, 07-present MN Select. 

Alison Carter (15-2)

Occupation: Business Development/Licensing for Summit Mortgage.  Education: B.A. in Communications Studies and English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Wayzata High School.  Playing Background: Wayzata High School, 5 years of JOs for Wayzata Juniors.  Coaching Background: Currently Wayzata High School 9th Grade 'B' coach, Wayzata Juniors (2006-2007), Minnetonka Juniors (2005-2006), Borderline VBC in Oxford, Ohio (2003-2004).

Kevin Purnell (15-3)

Education: BA - Finance and Economics University of Minnesota , MBA - Strategic Marketing and Operations Mgmt, University of Minnesota.  Occupation: Regulatory Affairs, Boston Scientific Corporation.  Playing background: University of Minnesota Mens Club 1981-82.  Various USVBA teams 1983-1987.  Coaching background:  Minnesota Select Coach since 2006.  Eden Prairie JO Volleyball Coach  18's 1993 - 1995, 12's 1995-1997, 14's 1997-1999, 16's 1999- 2004, 12's 2004-05.  St Therese School (Deephaven, MN) 2002 -current, 4th grade and Varsity Head Coach. 
Family: Wife Ann and 4 kids (Alexandra 15, Mikaela 11, Brianna 9 and Colin 3).


Bridget Wakaruk (15-3)
This past season was my second year coaching Junior Varsity at Totino-Grace High School and my fifth coaching high school volleyball. I have also coached JO volleyball for Club TG and run the Totino-Grace summer camps. I’ve been playing volleyball for 15 years starting at Immaculate Conception School, then Totino-Grace High School and finishing my collegiate career at St. Mary’s of Notre Dame. I’m still playing recreational volleyball and am very excited to start coaching at MN Select.

Scott Jackson
(14-1)
Occupation:  Director, Minnesota Select Volleyball Club & Volleyball Operations Manager, Ralia Sports Center.  Education:  BA in Chemistry, Carleton College ('95).  Playing Background:  Carleton Men's Club, Setter.  Coaching Background:  '04-Present - MN Select 18-1 & 14-1 Head Coach.  8 years with Club Tonka: '03 Club Tonka Director of Coaches, '97 & '00 Club Tonka Coach of the Year.  '00-'04: Wayzata Juniors 15-1 Coach'99-present: Wayzata H.S. Head Coach: '01 Section 5AAA Coach of the Year, '04 and '06 State Tournament participant.  '97-'98: Armstrong H.S. Head Coach.  '96: Park of Cottage Grove H.S. Asst Coach.


Katie Zazverskey
(14-1)
Occupation: College Student, University of St.Thomas.  Education: Currently a junior at the University of St.Thomas, Management major.  Playing Background:  4 years at Wayzata high school (team captain and all conference senior year), 3 years Wayzata JO, 1 year Minnesota Select 18-1 and currently playing at the University of St.Thomas.  Coaching Background:  Minnesota Select Volleyball Club coach ('05-present).  Head coach for Blaine Juniors 16-1 (2004-05).  Wayzata Camps, Minnesota Select Camps & University of St.Thomas camps.


Megan Graham
(14-1)
Occupation: Teacher at Plymouth Middle School.  Playing/Coaching background: Played JO volleyball for Northern Lights and M1.  Played four years at Concordia University, St. Paul.  Coached at White Bear Lake Juniors for 3 years.  Coach for MN Select since 2006.  JV coach at Wayzata High School.

Dave Orren (14-2)
Occupation:  Senior Legal Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Health.  Education:  Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from University of Minnesota, J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.  Playing Background: I’ve played for 30+ years, many of them in USAV, about half playing Men's AA.  Now my playing time is in the leagues and tournaments reserved for older players.  Coaching Background:  '05-present MN Select Volleyball Club head coach. 15 years (1983-1997) University of St. Thomas Head Coach (Overall record: 346-178).  Qualified for NCAAs 6 seasons.  National Coach of the Year for NCAA Division III in 1992.  3 years (2005-2007) University of St. Thomas Assistant Coach.  3 years (1980-1982) College of St. Catherine Assistant Coach.  6 years (1974-1979) at Forest Lake, 5 years as Assistant Coach and 1 year as high school Head Coach.  Many years coaching juniors, including 3 years coaching a 12 and under team for the Lakes Volleyball Club in Forest Lake.  Many years as summer camp clinician with Midwest Volleyball Instructors and with St. Ben's camps.

Stephanie Fixell (14-2)
Education: Sophomore at University of St. Thomas studying for a degree in Communication Studies and Leadership & Management.  Volleyball Background: Two year varsity starter at Coon Rapids High School, All Conference and team captain senior year. Played two years at Minnesota Select, still pursuing hope of playing for St. Thomas once prior injuries heal. Coached at Adams Elementary in 2006, position coach for MN Select during 06-07 season and coach for MN Select fall classes in 2007.

Christine Engel (13-1) 

Occupation:  
Kindergarten Teacher, Redeemer Lutheran School.  Education:  BA-Elementary Education and Bible from Northwestern College (St. Paul), Wayzata High School.  Playing Background:  Northwestern College (St. Paul) ('99-'02) and Wayzata High School.  Coaching Background:  '05-present:  Minnesota Select Volleyball Club.  '04 -present:  Wayzata JV coach/ Varsity assistant.  1 year with Wayzata 17-1 (assistant coach).  1 year with Mounds View 16-1 (head coach). 

Michelle Grice (13-1)
Occupation: Varsity Volleyball Coach at Bloomington Jefferson High School.  Education: Bachelors in Communication Studies, Iowa State, 2000.  Playing Background: Scholarship Athlete at Trinity International University, Chicago IL (96-97), high school All-State Honorable Mention, All-Conference, 4th highest service aces per game in Iowa.  Coaching Background: MN Select Coach (2004-Present).  Upon moving to MN in 2003, I coached 1 yr at Augsburg College and 3 years as the head coach at Blaine & Coon Rapids HS.  Prior to our move, I was the Varsity Head Coach and Athletic Director for The Weber School, Atlanta GA, (2001-2003), where my varsity team placed 8th at the State Tournament(2002). I also received Coach of the Year recognition coaching the Girls' Tennis team which placed 4th at the State Tournament (2003).


Rhonda Kottke (12-1)

1999-2006 Volleyball coach for Beach Cities Volleyball Club.  Coached a variety of age groups and skill levels.  I also ran clinics and helped run summer camps.  1994-2006 For twelve years off and on I Played on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals).  I had several top ten finishes.  I also represented the United States in several international events on the FIVB tour.  1986-1990 Played for Memphis University.  I was awarded the All Metro Conference award, three consecutive years.  High School I played for Armstrong and we were the 1984 State Champions.


Lauri Zumach (12-1)

Assistant Varsity Coach for Buffalo, JO Coach for Buffalo for 15 years, run the community youth developmental clinic in Buffalo every Spring.  Played Women’s AA and Coed AA volleyball for 10+ years and still try to play as often as possible, All-Region middle for the University of MN – Duluth, All State in High School.  Married to Darin, mother of 2 daughters ages 11 and 7.


Cheryl Erickson (YDT)
I have been involved in volleyball at many levels, as a player, coach and finally as a parent.  My playing experience includes playing for the University of Wisconsin.  I have coached numerous high school, college and club camps and was a assistant coach for Lawrence High School in Lawrence Kansas.

Jamie Jenkins (YDT)
Occupation: College Student, University of Minnesota. Education: Currently a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Neuroscience major with a french minor. Playing Background: 4 years at Edina High School(team captain senior year), 1 year Heartland Addidas Select, 1 year Northern Lights, and 3 years Minnesota Select. Coaching Background: Coaching for Edina Volleyball Club (2006-2007 season), Edina camps.

Lori Palesch (YDT)
Physical Education Teacher in the Hopkins School District 1991-present.  Playing experience:  Armstrong High School 1983-86, State Champions 1983 & 1984, All Conference Player 1984, Bemidji State University Fastpitch softball 1988-91, All Conference 1990, All District 1991, Academic All-American 1990.  Coaching Experience:  Volleyball Coach--Hopkins High School 1991-1995 and Fastpitch Softball Coach-Hopkins High School 1991-93.  3 Children: Kaycie-12 Raegan-9 Trevor -6 Husband Brett.

Deb Sully (YDT)

I’ve know Dave Orren since I was 17 yrs old when I played on MN’s first junior team. I attended the University of Nebraska on a volleyball scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Finance. Over the years I have coached various camps and junior teams.  From 1992 – 2006 I was a high school official. My husband Tom and I are parents of Janet 19(St.Olaf volleyball team), Shannon 17, Erin 14 and Ryan 9.

 

We are always looking to add talented coaches to our staff.  If interested, please email us at info@mnselect.com