The Chisago Lakes coaching staff is excited to announce the promotion of Coach Katie Spooner from the 9th grade coaching role to the B-Squad coaching role for the 2026 season.
“Coach Katie coaches with heart and passion,” says head coach Hannah Lindstrom. “She takes initiative and has genuine care for the development and wellbeing of our athletes and our program. She is a great fit for the B-Squad role and will have a strong impact on a team with a more competitive environment.”
A 2025 MNVBCA Jeff Groves Outstanding Assistant Coach Award recipient, Coach Katie has been coaching with the program since 2023. As a recent retiree from the United States Army National Guard, she brings discipline, accountability, and a competitive edge to the teams she coaches. She contributes administratively to the program’s success and builds strong connections with each of her players. She’s had excellent feedback from players and families with a great track-record of proven athletic development for her teams. The program is excited to utilize her expertise in a new role.
Applications have opened for the 9th grade coaching position. All interested applicants should apply here.
Congratulations, Coach Katie! LET’S GO CATS! -Coach Hannah
“I have truly enjoyed coaching two groups of amazing young women the past couple of seasons, I was welcomed so kindly by players, coaches and families into our great volleyball program. I am stepping down from my coaching role to help care for my aging parents and to open my schedule to travel to see my kids that have moved out and to attend games of the ones that are still under my roof. Thank you so much for a fun couple of seasons and I look forward to seeing the girls move up to the next level.
Thank you, Coach Avery”
The CLVB program wants to thank Coach Avery for all of her hard work and dedication over the past two seasons. She jumped into a huge role, learning a lot, while contributing in countless ways behind the scenes. She has a heart for the youth of our community and will continue to impact CLHS in many ways. We will miss having her a part of our program! Thank you, Coach!
Our 2025 apparel store is open for players, families, and fans!
Check it out here and make sure to place orders by 6/30. We are told it will be 4-6 weeks after store closing to receive items. You can choose to have it shipped to your house or the school.
As a whole program, we like to match apparel as much as we can- at school on game days, traveling on the bus, etc. Our captains have asked each high school player to purchase the following:
Port & Company Men’s 5.4 OZ Core Cotton T-Shirt in Jet Black
Nike Men’s Club Pullover Fleece Hoodie in Black OR Nike Men’s Club Fleece Crew in Black
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We understand that we haven’t had tryouts yet and we don’t know who will be making teams. Unfortunately, we have to order our apparel this early in the summer in order for it to arrive in time for the season. If it turns out that you’ve purchased apparel and your daughter is not on a team the program can buy back items that are not personalized and unopened. We will open the apparel store again in August for additional purchases, but those items will not arrive until mid-way through the season.
The Wildcats are excited to announce preseason recognition for 2026 Senior Kate Friedner.
The 5’10”, 6-rotation OH will come into the 2025 season as a captain, with two varsity seasons under her belt, a Mississippi 8 All-Conference Award, and an impressive winter season with Kokoro 17-1.
“Friedner brings a fast arm swing, strength around blocks, and consistent serve-receive accuracy. She’s disciplined, strategic, and smart. Her work ethic, focus, and joy are unmatched on the court. She is very deserving of this recognition,” Coach Lindstrom says. “We expect her to make quite a bit of noise in our section and conference. She will make significant contributions to our 2025 success!”
Friedner ended last season with 144 kills, 33 aces, 20 blocks, 154 digs, 372 receptions, and 17 assists in 81 sets. Find more information here, and find 2024 season highlights here and here.
The Wildcat coaching staff is excited to introduce our 2025 captains.
There is no doubt the 2026 senior class will accomplish big things. With 6 seniors graduated in 2024, the program is excited to be returning a significant amount of the varsity roster with further depth and development. Our 4 captains were chosen by the coaches after an application and interview process, and are now spending the summer in a leadership study with the coaching staff. This summer the captains are reading “Championship Behaviors” by Hugh McCutcheon. The captains and coaches will directly apply this knowledge to the program with weekly lessons and team building opportunities. The captains’ desire is to be servant leaders, and their expectations are outlined here.
When asked why they wanted to be a captain, here were their responses:
“I would like to be a captain because I want to help build a program that is strong together and has a good relationship with one another. I want to set a good example for the younger players that are new to the program. I would like to set the standard for what it looks like to be a good teammate and a good friend.”
Senior OH Kate Friedner Photo courtesy of Angela Weinzetl
“I would love to be a captain because it would be a great opportunity to grow my connections and relationships with the girls in the program. It is important to me to make everyone feel like they are supported and a part of our team. I also want to set an example of what it means to be a hard worker and a great teammate. I hope to make the younger players feel comfortable around me and feel like they can come to me for anything. Over the years, the captains have shown me how important this role is and made it my dream to lead in that same way.”
Senior MH Mariah Cave Photo courtesy of Angela Weinzetl
“I would like to be a captain so I can build better skills as a leader and hopefully make an impact and encourage the younger girls who are playing.”
Jr. RH Linnea Carlson Photo courtesy of Angela Weinzetl
“I would like to be a captain because I have dreamt of it ever since I came to the LARA youth nights. Being captain would show how important volleyball is to me, and give me the opportunity to lead on the court, in the weight room, with younger athletes, and in the classroom. I also want to be that older team leader that the younger girls look up to and inspire to be.”
2025 is going to be an absolutely excellent year for Wildcat volleyball with these four in the lead. We can’t wait to be back in the gym together!
We can’t WAIT to start the 2024 volleyball season!
Registration for 2024 high school volleyball tryouts can be found here. Make sure this is complete by 8am on Monday, August 12, 2024. Required sports physical must be completed by then as well.
The required parent meeting will take place virtually on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 6pm and will cover many details for the season. Access the meeting here.
Tryouts for the high school season will take place from 8-11am and 12-2pm on Monday, 8/12 and Tuesday, 8/13. More details regarding the season schedule can be found here. Tryout expectations can be found here.
If your daughter is entering 7th or 8th grade, registration can be found here. There is no parent meeting to attend. The game schedule is on the school’s activities page, and practice is from 2:30-4:30pm each day starting September 4th.
The Wildcat coaching staff is excited to introduce our 2024 captains.
The 2025 senior class is eager to make an impact in the program this season. With 8 seniors graduated in 2024, there are many open roster spots and plenty of opportunities of big roles for new faces. They are all talented volleyball players, great students, and fantastic individuals. Our 4 captains were chosen by the coaches after an application and interview process, and are now spending the summer in a leadership study with the coaching staff. This summer the captains are reading “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. The captains and coaches will directly apply this knowledge to the program with weekly lessons and team building opportunities. The captains’ desire is to be servant leaders, and their expectations are outlined here.
When asked why they wanted to be a captain, here were their responses:
#22 Sophia Al Khatib, Senior MH/RH
“I would love to be a captain for not only being a role model towards the younger girls in the program but to be able to have different types of connections with the girls.”
#9 Bene Smith, Senior OH/DS
“I would like to be a captain of the volleyball program because I want to be someone that the younger players can look up to and feel comfortable around. When I was just a freshmen the captains seemed like the nicest and most reliable people in the whole program. I was never scared of them because they felt like a shoulder I could lean on and I hope that I can be that for everyone in the gym, the bus, and even past the volleyball season. Starting in such a big program can be intimidating, and I want the younger girls to know they aren’t alone.”
#12 Kayla Larsen, Junior OH
“I want to be a captain because I think that I can make a difference and that I can help to build a program that is strong and connected. I would like to be a captain so that I can set the example for younger players in the program and I can demonstrate what it looks like to be a member of the Chisago Lakes Volleyball program and how to act and treat others in the program.”
#2 Kayla Wheeler, Senior DS/L
“I don’t think I will ever be able to fully explain how much this program has done for me as a person. This is my family, and my home. Chisago Lakes Volleyball has been a constant in my life since I moved here in the 5th grade. Not only has this program been by my side, urging me to reach my full potential, but it has been there to support me through times good, and bad. I want to be a captain because this feeling of love should be felt by all girls in the program. I want everyone to feel the way I do. I want everyone to know that this program isn’t just about playing volleyball, but it is a family. It is all about making connections, learning valuable life lessons, and sharing these wonderful experiences.”
We’re excited for all this year has to bring and look forward to these captains having a big impact on our program!
Our 2024 apparel store is open for players, families, and fans!
Check it out here and make sure to place orders by 6/24. We are told it will be 6 weeks after store closing to receive items.
As a whole program, we like to match apparel as much as we can- at school on game days, traveling on the bus, etc. Our captains have asked each high school player to purchase the following:
Nike Men’s Team Legend Short Sleeve Tee in Gorg Green OR Sport-Tek PosiCharge Competitor Tee in FO GREEN
Nike Club Pullover Fleece Hoodie in DK GY HE OR Port & Company Ultimate Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt in Ash
We understand that we haven’t had tryouts yet and we don’t know who will be making teams. Unfortunately, we have to order our apparel this early in the summer in order for it to arrive in time for the season. If it turns out that you’ve purchased apparel and your daughter is not on a team the program can buy back items that are not personalized. We will open the apparel store again in August, but those items will not arrive until mid-way through the season.
Chisago Lakes Volleyball 