Volleyball fans will most likely need to pick up a program this year as they head into the gym for a Becker Bulldog match, as the team will have a new coaching staff and many new players taking the court.

Patty Lindbom takes over the head coaching duties and brings with her nearly a decade of experience from the Becker Inferno JO program. Joining the staff this year will be JV coach Jess Vealetzek, JV2 coach Maisie Messick, volunteer coach Kyanna Marx and Meghan Hoppe, who will work with former head coach Greg Lynch as the two C team coaches.

The first order of business for the staff will be sorting through a number of candidates who are vying for playing time after the graduation of seven seniors from last season’s team, who went 7-5 overall in Lynch’s last season at the helm.

Included in the graduating class was Kady Lindbom, the M8 Conference Offensive MVP, who was also ranked as the number two outside hitter in the state of MN, as well as Ellie Wenner, an M8 All Conference setter. Finding their replacements will be a key for the new coaching staff.

Luckily for Lindbom and the rest of the coaches, the cupboard is not bare as the Bulldogs do return four players with extensive varsity experience in seniors Alexis Goebel, Cami Ramola and Alexa Williams, as well as junior Evelyn Kreft.

“They are all strong players across the net,” says Lindbom, who has been racing to get organized for the season after being hired just weeks ago.

Providing the leadership for the team this season will be three captains: Ramola, Goebel and Skylee Blomquist.

When it comes to the style of action fans can expect to see on the court, the coaches are hoping to pick up the pace offensively while also focusing on better net protection.

“This year we are looking to run a faster offensive set on the court and also show improvement with our blocking,” Lindbom says.  

Because of her extensive experience in the sport, Lindbom is well versed in what it will take to continue to build upon the program and experience success. She plans to be very clear with her athletes as to the expectations on the court.

“I have athlete goals to make them more cohesive, better players and better teammates,” Lindbom says. “Our team goals are to see the stats progressively improve as the season progresses.”

The Mississippi 8 Conference boasts several strong programs and history shows that each opponent is usually a tough test. Lindbom notes that COVID-19 severely restricted the number of matches the teams played in the conference last year, with some playing as few as three and the highest being 13.

“Monticello is expected to be the powerhouse this year in the M8,” Lindbom says. “They have both experience and size coming back this season.”

But fans would be remiss if they counted the Bulldogs out of the mix.  Despite the new players and coaches, the team has a good amount of experience in the sport and could be considered a team no one will want to face come playoff time.

The team opens the season on the road in Rush City on Tuesday, September 7. Fans: don’t forget to grab a program on the way into the match.