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Meet the Coaches

2023 Coaching Staff

Karl Katzenberger - Head Varsity Coach

Karl has been coaching varsity volleyball in Minnesota for the last 18 seasons. In 2012, the Skippers finished at 20-11 and #8 in the state coaches' rankings and in 2013 the Skippers finished at 25-4 and #5 in the state coaches' rankings. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 the Skippers have finished the season ranked in the top 10.  In 2019 the Skippers finished in 4th place at the State Tournament.  Karl was awarded 6AAA Coach of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2018.  To contact, email at karl@minnetonkavb.org

 

Bailey Zimprich - Assistant Varsity Coach

Bailey grew up in Janesville, MN and was a 3-sport athlete (Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball). In volleyball she was a 4-year letter winner, holds multiple records, and was a Team Captain. Bailey continued her volleyball career at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, where she graduated with a BS in Business Administration and Computer Science.

Bailey has been coaching at Minnetonka High School since 2021, starting as the JV Coach, and has been Karl's Assistant since 2022. During the previous fall seasons, she coached at Hopkins High School moving up ranks from 9A in 2016, Sophomore in 2017, and Assistant Head Coach 2018-2019. During the 2020 season Bailey stepped in as the Interim-Head Coach. Bailey has coached at MN Select Volleyball Club and has been at Shoreline the past two Club seasons.

Outside of volleyball, Bailey works at Bailiwick which is an IT company based out of Chaska. She enjoys playing volleyball, watching other sports, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Rachel Dill - Junior Varsity Coach

Rachel is thrilled to be back coaching for a second season at her alma mater. She was a setter and defensive specialist for our program from 2014-2018. Rachel concluded her volleyball career as a varsity captain her senior year. After graduating from Minnetonka, she attended the University of Minnesota - Duluth, where she graduated with a triple major in Communications, Biology, and Kinesiology. Now, Rachel works full time for UnitedHealth Group. 

Rachel spent the last year coaching at Shoreline Volleyball Club, assisting Karl with the 14-Gold and 15-Gold volleyball teams. In her first season with Minnetonka, Rachel's JV team posted a record of 15-5, and came in 2nd place at the annual JV STMA tournament.

Rachel is excited for a great 2023 season, GO SKIPPERS!

James Stephen - Sophomore Coach

James is entering his 13th  season coaching, the 4th with the Sophomore team.  While at Minnetonka, James’ teams have compiled a 157-41 W-L record.  James has also coached club teams for Shoreline, Club Tonka, Minnetonka Jrs, and Roseville.  James’ love for volleyball was what drew him into coaching and seeing kids succeed and reach their goals is what keeps him coaching.  In his free time he follows Gopher volleyball and enjoys going fishing and spending time with his dog, Ollie.  


 


 

Katie Bowman - 9A Coach

Katie grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota playing volleyball, basketball, and Track & Field. During her high school career, she spent most of her time playing MB. She went on to run track and complete in the heptathlon/Pentathlon at Concordia College- Moorhead, while also coaching the Concordia Men’s Club Volleyball Team. She graduated college as an Elementary Education major with a Spanish endorsement.  

Katie has coached two seasons at Shoreline and will be coming back for her second season at Minnetonka High School this Fall. She is thrilled to be coming back, but this time to work with the 9A team!  

Outside of her time spent in the gym, she loves to play volleyball herself. She also enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending lots of time with her family. She is excited to be back this season and cannot wait to meet all the new faces!

Melissa Long - 9B Coach

This will be Melissa’s first year in Minnetonka; she will be teaching at MME. Melissa has been coaching for 13 years in club, middle school, and high school programs. She spent the last 4 seasons coaching JV at Waconia. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, Mike, two kids, Daniel and Louise, and her dog and cat!

Melissa will be coaching the 9B team this fall, and she can’t wait to start working with the Minnetonka volleyball program!