The Becker Bulldog volleyball team will have a new look this year, with Katie Uittenbogaard taking over the head coaching duties and bringing with her an infectious positivity.

“Becker volleyball is developing a new, stronger program this year,” said Uittenbogaard, who goes by Coach Bo.  “We are very excited to grow our student section and get more people out of the house to watch Bulldogs volleyball. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch these Becker Volleyball Bulldogs take the court this fall!”

While Coach Bo is new to Becker, she has a wealth of experience having been the Varsity Assistant at Princeton, as well as the Head Softball Coach for the Tigers.  She also coached club volleyball for 10 years, giving her vast experience working with high school athletes.

“I am excited for my first year at Becker and I’m ready to create a dominating program with the amazing athletes we have,” said Uittenbogaard.

She will inherit a program with a very strong senior class, including six veterans who earned a letter a year ago: Haley Pilarski, Keira Berger, Mya Blomquist, Taylor Hanson, Ella Pany, and Mel Hubbard. Add in a very talented sophomore returning letterwinner in Kenna Hennessey, and the Bulldogs will be deep with skill.

Pany and Pilarski will serve as captains for the team, and they will help guide a program with very strong numbers - 52 athletes in grades nine through 12.

Coach Bo and her squad have adopted two main goals for the season, including winning the Mississippi 8 Conference and finishing as one of the top two teams in Section 8AAA, which would allow the Bulldogs to compete for their first state tournament appearance since 1982.

One new rule fans can look for this year is the new doubles rule, which will loosen the interpretation on a double contact by a setter who is setting to their hitters.  It will still be a double contact violation on a two handed touch to send the ball over the net, but not on the setting.  The MSHSL adopted this rule to be more in line with new NCAA rules.

With the experienced lineup, excellent leadership from captains and an impressive coach, the Bulldogs look ready to put Becker volleyball back on the map.

“Becker volleyball is an elite program putting fundamentals first to make the routine plays look easy, and the hard plays look routine,” Coach Bo said about her philosophy.  “We strive to achieve excellence with our work ethic, resilience, and team first mentality.”