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HEARTLAND SOUTH COACHES |
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SARAH BIGGERSTAFF, 18's HEAD COACH |
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Sarah grew up in Winona, MN and then continued her volleyball career at South Dakota State University, playing alongside her fellow Heartland Coaches, Sarah Simet and Kim Bostrom. Although she played almost every position in the front row during her career (all in one game, once!), her specialty is training middles in hitting and blocking. Whether players are training for their final year of high school volleyball or preparing to play college volleyball, they will be challenged each time they step on the court when playing for the Heartland 18s team: either by “the Sarahs” challenging them from the sidelines or from the other side of the net!
Sarah’s coaching philosophy is to never settle, and she looks to players to set high expectations for themselves. She’s looking forward to this season of Heartland, as the program moves toward a more competitive level of volleyball.
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| SARAH SIMET, 18's ASSISTANT COACH |
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Sarah Simet is from Brookings, SD, where she played both high school and college volleyball at South Dakota State University. Having played libero at the Division 1 level and broken the SDSU career digs record, Sarah brings a lot of defensive skill and knowledge to Heartland; especially in serve receive, which she believes to be the most important skill of the game.
Sarah’s coaching philosophy is to make her players better student-athletes, on and off the court. The skills she wants each player to learn include more than great passing technique; she looks for players that have a willingness to learn and challenge themselves, and then works hard to instill leadership, sportsmanship and discipline in every one of them.
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KIM BOSTROM, 17's HEAD COACH |
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Kim is from Circle Pines, MN where she attended Centennial High School. After high school, she attended South Dakota State University, playing alongside “The Sarahs” who coach the 18s team. As a starting middle hitter all four years, Kim earned All-Conference honors multiple times and will have a place in the SDSU record books for quite a while.
After playing at SDSU, Kim went on to become a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University for two seasons. She just completed her first year as an Assistant Coach at Bethel University, where she works mainly with the middles (one of whom is a Heartland Alum!).
It’s impossible for Kim’s own competitive spirit and work ethic not to show in the players she coaches, as she challenges all of them to play with intensity and tenacity. |
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ALISON SCHUSTER (aka "RED"), 17's ASSISTANT COACH |
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Alison has been playing volleyball for 16 years. As an outside hitter at South Dakota State, and today in the many leagues she plays in, Alison always stands out. Not just for her bright red hair (hence the nickname), but for her great outside hitting skills and intensity on the court.
As a coach Alison is a bit more reserved, but she challenges her players to play with intensity and compete at a high level every point of every match. She has coached both High School and Club volleyball, and this will be her second year with Heartland at the 17s level.
Alison looks forward to seeing how last year’s players have improved and can’t wait to meet the new players that are moving up in the ranks or joining Heartland for the first time. |
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CARA LANG, 16's HEAD COACH AND ASSISTANT CLUB DIRECTOR |
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Cara played high school volleyball in Sartell, MN and then continued her volleyball career playing Defensive Specialist at St. Cloud State University. After playing in college, she went on to become the graduate assistant coach at Division 1 South Dakota State University. In addition to coaching at Heartland, Cara also works with the Silver Medal winning USA Paralympic Volleyball team.
While she was a defensive specialist in college, Cara’s left handed hitting on the right side of the court has led to the demise of many opponents, as have her wicked tips when she’s playing setter. She is the epitome of an all-around player and this reflects in her ability to make players improve at every skill of the game.
As an assistant club director, Cara has many goals for the future of this club and we’re confident that she’ll move it in the right direction. Look for Heartland’s next great volleyball player, Baby Lang, to arrive in late February! |
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WHITNEY VANDERPLAATS, 16's ASSISTANT COACH |
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A Heartland South alum, Whitney grew up in Ogilvie, MN where she was named Conference Setter of the Year in 2003, and then continued her career at Dordt College. Having played volleyball for over 14 years and coached for 2, she truly understands the game, encouraging the members of her team to play aggressive volleyball while still being team players- something she learned by watching Misty May-Treanor play.
Whitney’s coaching philosophy is “practice makes perfect,” and it shows in her focus and determination to make sure every player on her team leaves the Heartland program as a better all around player. Her encouragement, in practice and games, makes her players calm and positive- allowing them to play their very best. |
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KARI TURKOWSKI, SETTING COACH |
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Kari played at St. Cloud State for four years, alongside 16's coach Cara Lang. She is a very dynamic player, who competed aggressively and passionately for every point. You'll find her name in the "top ten" of SCSU's record book for assists, attack percentage, ace serves, blocks and digs. She is a tremendous asset to the Heartland program and we are lucky to have her on board!
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JOE LANG, BOYS COACH |
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Joe, the “other half” of 16s Coach Cara Lang, is originally from Elk River, MN. While volleyball peaked his interest in high school, it wasn’t until he attended college at St. Cloud State University that he started to play competitively. While at SCSU, Joe played on the Men’s’ Club team, and he continues to play weekly with many of his old teammates.
Joe started his coaching career at Heartland last year, coaching the 17s team. This year, he looks forward to introducing more boys to the game he has grown to love. |
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