General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,200 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Home Court: Robertson Center
2008 Record:
Overall Record: 9-18
MIAC Record: 2-9 / 10th (tie)
Key losses:
Jen Stoa (Middle Blocker)
Key Returners:
Kelly Otto (Sr., Middle Blocker, 5-11, All-MIAC)
Betsy Naatjes (Jr., Setter, 5-8)
Nicole Wriedt (So., Opposite, 6-0)
Bethany Shearer (Sr., Libero, 5-4)
Season Outlook:
Andy Warhol once wrote, “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” After a 2008 season which included ten on the varsity roster in only their first or second season, it is tempting to believe that one more year of experience would be enough to get the young Royals back on the winning track. However, head coach Gretchen Hunt and her players did not just wait for time to change things back to their winning ways; they took matters into their own hands.
The change starts with the returning athletes and their preparation for this season. In the first days of practice, it is apparent that the returning athletes’ commitment to an off-season strength and conditioning program has not been in vain. Leading the way have been captains Kelly Otto (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), who had the fifth best hitting percentage in the MIAC last season, Bethany Shearer (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.), a top 10 dig leader, Betsy Naatjes (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), who averaged nearly 7.5 assists per game in her first full year starting, along with outside hitter Hannah Parks (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.). “I know that our captains have been committed to doing whatever they can to make this season different, from the standpoint of our success on the court,” says Coach Hunt. “Hannah has been an outstanding leader throughout this off-season in her commitment to make herself and her teammates better. These four returning players will really set the tone in our gym, and they will have high expectations for the rest of the team.”
Other returning athletes include Brianna Falck (Jr., DeForest, Wis.), as well as Kate Smith (So., Arden Hills, Minn.), Haley Toter (So., Park Ridge, Ill.), Rachel Walker (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.), and Nicole Wriedt (So., Hartland, Wis.), who had 10 or more points eight games in a row, including a 23-point effort late in the season.
Another change will come from a 2009 recruiting class that will immediately bring experience and depth at key positions. Defensive specialist Val Smith (Alexandria, Minn.) brings a wealth of elite level club experience and athleticism to the defensive corps. Playing for one of the top club programs in the nation at Mizuno M1 Volleyball Club, her teams qualified every year for USA Volleyball Junior Nationals, and as a 16-year old, Val was named to the All-Tournament team at nationals. “Val plays with such confidence and intelligence that she really makes everyone around her better,” says Coach Hunt. “She will immediately strengthen our team’s serve receive and defense.” The other top recruits will be pushing each other at the middle blocker position. Caitie Helle (Fr., Onamia, Minn.) and Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.) both bring an incredible athleticism and work ethic. Helle was named to the Class A All-State Honorable Mention team, and she was also selected to participate in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s High School All-Star match as one of the top seniors in the state. Werner is a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball and track) who also found time to play for the very competitive Northern Pride volleyball club, which won the North Country Region’s President’s Day Festival in their age category in 2009. A state qualifier in track and a highly recruited basketball athlete as well, Werner has the potential to be an elite college athlete.
Other incoming athletes include defensive specialist Shannyn Rosendahl (Fr., Andover, Minn.), who was the starting libero for Andover, a qualifier for the Class AAA State Tournament, outside hitter Allie Strubel (Fr., Chaska, Minn.), setter Samma Fallgren (Fr., Becker, Minn.), and middle blocker Ellee Owen (Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
In addition to the new players, there will also be three brand new members on the coaching staff. All of the new staff members were very successful former collegiate players, who also have a great deal of experience coaching. “I am so excited that we have staff members who have been successful athletes at the Division I and II level who can offer their insights about training and who can share some of what made them successful,” says Coach Hunt. “Kim [Bostrom] was a true all-around athlete who made herself a great college volleyball player, and Amanda [Mackenthun] was a coach’s dream as a setter who understood running the floor. Dan [Schmoyer] will bring so much expertise as he works with outside hitters, which is an area I'm still learning more about myself. I know the athletes are looking forward to getting into the gym with these coaches.”
As though there weren't enough changes already in terms of personnel, even our home court, the Robertson Center Gymnasium, has changed! The Royals will be playing the 2009 season on a brand new floor that was made possible by the hard work of the Athletic Development Office and generous gifts from friends of Bethel.
One thing that has not changed is the commitment of Bethel University volleyball to prepare these young women for a lifetime of service to Jesus Christ and his Kingdom. The verse they have chosen to emphasize this season comes from John 3:30, "He must become greater, I must become less." Coach Hunt says, “The captains wanted to emphasize that we do this for the honor and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any success that we have is because we are pursuing excellence in Christ, and we want to give Him the glory for that. We are grateful for the gifts we have been given, and we think playing to the best of our ability while loving each other is worship to God.”
The times, they are a changin’ for Royals volleyball - new players, new coaches, new commitment, and a new floor. What will never change is the reason that they play!
