Tag: volleyball

2025 Captains

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:

Returning captain, Senior OH Kayla Larsen
Photo courtesy of Angela Weinzetl

“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!

GO WILDCATS!
-Coach Hannah

2024 Captains

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!

GO WILDCATS!

-Coach Hannah

2024 Summer Volleyball Opportunities

Good morning, volleyball families!

Summer is fast approaching and we can’t wait to get back into the gym! We’ve got lots of exciting opportunities coming up:

Some more great opportunities:

Just a reminder that if you are going into 9th grade or above, tryouts for the high school program are on August 12th! More details coming soon.

Please reach out with questions and GO WILDCATS!
-Coach Hannah

Coach Nicole Steps Up to JV

Photo courtesy of Angela Weinzetl

  The Chisago Lakes Volleyball coaching staff is excited to announce the promotion of Nicole Graeve from B-Squad to JV coach. The change comes after Coach Shannon Jensen stepped down from the program after the 2023 season.

  ”I’m thrilled to have Nicole take on a larger role in our program. She brings a high level of skill and strategy expertise as well as passion for her players that is evident in all she does,” Head Coach Hannah Lindstrom said. “In her 3 years as B-Squad Coach, Nicole has produced tremendous growth in her athletes and created a continuously positive team experience. I have no doubt she will make significant contributions to the JV & Varsity team goals moving forward.”

  Graeve (formerly Johnson) has a strong commitment to CLHS and the greater Chisago Lakes community. She’s a 2014 graduate of Chisago Lakes where her primary role was a setter, and she played alongside Head Coach Lindstrom. She was both a player and served as the team president for the club volleyball team during her time at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh while she earned an accounting degree. Graeve is now teaching math at New Heights School in Stillwater, MN while completing her Master’s Degree in Teaching through Bethel University.

  This staffing change creates an opening at the B-Squad coaching level. Interested applicants should apply here.

Check out these photos of Lindstrom and Graeve’s time together as CLVB players: