Hello-
Just found out that the University of Minnesota, Morris was once again ranked high in the yearly fall rankings of colleges and universities! Click here to read about it- Go Cougars!
Coach B
Monday, August 30, 2010
One more practice...
Hello-
Only one more practice before our 2010 season opener! The team looked very fresh after taking the weekend off from practice- we jumped well, moved quick and practiced with energy in anticipation of our match Wednesday night! We are still implementing some new things on offense and defense and working to figure out exactly what we are going to look like Wednesday (it is nice having options but that can make it tough on the coaching staff!).
Getting ready for our trip to New England as well! Double-checked a bunch of the travel details and I checked the weather- should be pretty nice most of our time there- high of about 75 with not much rain and low of about 55. Getting excited to head back!
It is thundering and lightning here now and it is getting past my bedtime so more to follow soon!
Coach B
Only one more practice before our 2010 season opener! The team looked very fresh after taking the weekend off from practice- we jumped well, moved quick and practiced with energy in anticipation of our match Wednesday night! We are still implementing some new things on offense and defense and working to figure out exactly what we are going to look like Wednesday (it is nice having options but that can make it tough on the coaching staff!).
Getting ready for our trip to New England as well! Double-checked a bunch of the travel details and I checked the weather- should be pretty nice most of our time there- high of about 75 with not much rain and low of about 55. Getting excited to head back!
It is thundering and lightning here now and it is getting past my bedtime so more to follow soon!
Coach B
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Day After
We had our Maroon and Gold scrimmage last night. Thank you to all that came to watch! There were probably more fans there last night then we had at matches two years ago! I hope we made it worth the trip. The team played well (although we do have lot's of things to work on) and they will definitely be entertaining to watch this season.
Above is the team picture we shot this morning.....nice huh?
We are doing a classroom session now (Coach B is letting me get side tracked a little) watching film from last night and talking about goal setting for the season. I have a feeling we will be setting goals a little higher then the past.
Well I better start paying attention!
Hope to see a large fan following at our first home match next Wednesday vs Valley City State University.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Maroon-Gold Scrimmage-
Hello,
Just finished Day 2 of school and had a solid practice today. We are starting to see what our lineup would look like for our upcoming season opener next Wednesday and I'm very excited! We worked some team defensive drills today and then did a bunch of 6-on-6 stuff in preparation for our Maroon-Gold Scrimmage tomorrow. You are all welcome to join us-- PE Center at 7:00 pm- We hope to see you there!
Coach B
Just finished Day 2 of school and had a solid practice today. We are starting to see what our lineup would look like for our upcoming season opener next Wednesday and I'm very excited! We worked some team defensive drills today and then did a bunch of 6-on-6 stuff in preparation for our Maroon-Gold Scrimmage tomorrow. You are all welcome to join us-- PE Center at 7:00 pm- We hope to see you there!
Coach B
UMAC Chat-
Hello-
Just in case you forgot and/or are sitting at your desk doing nothing... the UMAC chat starts in minutes!
http://umacathletics.com/sports/2010/8/18/WVBALL_0818104135.aspx
Coach B
Just in case you forgot and/or are sitting at your desk doing nothing... the UMAC chat starts in minutes!
http://umacathletics.com/sports/2010/8/18/WVBALL_0818104135.aspx
Coach B
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Returners vs. Rookies Scrimmage, Part I
Hello-
Classes start tomorrow here at UMM and our season continues to get closer! Coach Pennie and I thought it would be fun to see our returning players take on the freshmen in practice in a 2 out of 3 match yesterday... let's just say it was a little bit intense! The rookies jumped out to an early lead in the first set and won 15-9! I was thinking, "uh oh, what did we do here!?" And after the rookies jumped out to an early lead in set 2 it was looking like a sweep. But the returners bounced back from an 11-8 deficit to win 15-13, forcing a 3rd set. Once again the rookies pulled ahead 9-6 only to cool off and the returners ended up winning 15-12. It was a lot of fun and I've already heard talk from both sides wanting a rematch!!
Last night after our afternoon practice we went to Natalie Thomas' house for supper that her family prepared for us-- it was delicious!! We are starting to get spoiled! Now this morning the freshmen have advisor meetings and a little more time to buy books, parking permits, etc. before we practice this afternoon and evening. Then classes start tomorrow.
Have a great day and Go Cougars!
Coach B
Saturday, August 21, 2010
And our first 2011 Recruit Committed!
Hello-
Forgot to mention that I got a phone call from one of our 2011 recruits last night... she said that after looking at a bunch of schools (and attending our Junior Cougar Visit Day in May), she wanted to let me know that she plans to come to UMM in the fall of 2011 to play volleyball! Very, very excited to have her on board! Go Cougars!
Coach B
PS- More pics... sorry, but I'm not as good at putting the pictures up as Heather!
Day 4...
So... guess I'm numbering the days wrong! Yesterday was Practice Day 2- Day 3 overall, so I'll go back to that. Today we had a team practice this morning... we were definitely a little sluggish compared to the first 2 days of practice. This afternoon we had a pool workout followed by small group workouts by position. Tonight we just finished up a team dinner at our house that my wonderful wife Natalie cooked! Grilled chicken breast, two cole slaw salads, fruit, corn on the cob, bread, cheese and crackers, fresh vegetables from the garden, cheesey potatoes and 3! desserts (so much for "healthy food!")- strawberry dessert, chocolate revel bars and cookie bars.
Off to bed now- enjoy the pictures!
Coach B
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day 2...
Hello-
It has been a lot of fun coaching this team the last 2 days! Four practices down so far and the intensity is very high in the gym. The communication is great, lots of learning going on and very, very competitive play! We have spent a lot of time working on defense and serve receive, knowing that those will be two keys to our success this fall and also trying to save their shoulders from taking too many swings (I'm sure they are itching to start working on setting-hitting drills more often... but they'll have to be patient).
We did some vertical jump testing today and an agility test- we'll do a couple more tests Sunday. Tomorrow morning will be another team practice, then we'll hit the pool to mix it up in the afternoon followed by some small group work by position- then dinner at our house (don't worry... I'm not cooking- Natalie will be taking care of that!). We will take Sunday morning off before the Welcome/Convocation for the incoming freshman and then testing, followed by a night practice.
Also wanted to give you a heads up on a fun event coming up... Our conference, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference will be having an online chat with all the coaches next Thursday, August 26- click here to join and watch and feel free to throw a question at us!
Have a great weekend- we'll be in the gym working and enjoying the air conditioning!
Coach B
It has been a lot of fun coaching this team the last 2 days! Four practices down so far and the intensity is very high in the gym. The communication is great, lots of learning going on and very, very competitive play! We have spent a lot of time working on defense and serve receive, knowing that those will be two keys to our success this fall and also trying to save their shoulders from taking too many swings (I'm sure they are itching to start working on setting-hitting drills more often... but they'll have to be patient).
We did some vertical jump testing today and an agility test- we'll do a couple more tests Sunday. Tomorrow morning will be another team practice, then we'll hit the pool to mix it up in the afternoon followed by some small group work by position- then dinner at our house (don't worry... I'm not cooking- Natalie will be taking care of that!). We will take Sunday morning off before the Welcome/Convocation for the incoming freshman and then testing, followed by a night practice.
Also wanted to give you a heads up on a fun event coming up... Our conference, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference will be having an online chat with all the coaches next Thursday, August 26- click here to join and watch and feel free to throw a question at us!
Have a great weekend- we'll be in the gym working and enjoying the air conditioning!
Coach B
Thursday, August 19, 2010
First Practice
Thanks for acknowledging my long hours Coach B!! I just want to help the team get better....even if it is sending the incorrect document to the chancellor at 11:20 pm.
Anyway, the first practice is in the books and we did hit the ground running!
Got some pics for ya.....some are kind of blurry, sorry!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day 1...
Hello-
Lot happening today! Like Heather said, all 20 players showed up today! We did compliance forms, met families, had dinner at Pizza Ranch, then met with the team and handed out gear! We'll be ready to go and hit the ground running tomorrow morning!
More to follow this week- heading home soon (while Coach Pennie is slaving away in her office!).
Go Cougars!
Coach B
Lot happening today! Like Heather said, all 20 players showed up today! We did compliance forms, met families, had dinner at Pizza Ranch, then met with the team and handed out gear! We'll be ready to go and hit the ground running tomorrow morning!
More to follow this week- heading home soon (while Coach Pennie is slaving away in her office!).
Go Cougars!
Coach B
All 20 are here and Accounted For
All 20 players have checked in for the season and they are sure tired of filling out paperwork!!
They are all looking forward to dining at the Pizza Ranch this evening! Unfortunately after that they have to say good bye to family and friends that helped them make the move to campus. But on the bright side, they get to attend a meeting run by Coach B shortly thereafter, so the have something to look forward to!!
Practice is at 9:00am sharp tomorrow.....I will let you know how good we will be after that!
Take a look at some of the photos I took today under the Flicker link to the right......aren't they all so photogenic!!
hp
Friday, August 13, 2010
Back at it!!!!
Hello All,
It has been a few months since you heard from me, but know I am back in the volleyball frame of mind and want to share what's happening on the Cougar front.
I have checked off 10 things that I have finished on Coach B's "to do" list and only have 5 more to go before the team checks in on Wednesday! Don't feel too sorry for me....every time he adds something to my list I ask him what he has to do if I am doing "everything". Turns out he has a few lists of his own. I believe this is going to be the most prepared for preseason we have ever been. Along with potentially having the strongest team in recent cougar volleyball history, this could be a GREAT SEASON!
As Coach B mentioned in the last post, we had everyone here last week to help with camps. It was fun to see everyone and watch them interact with the young players at camp. We are really fortunate to be able to work with these ladies everyday....they love volleyball, they want to help other kids become better volleyball players and they are just FUN to be with! It was never ending entertainment!
Well, this is going to be a short one....the county fair is on and I have some kids lined up to go to the midway...... is it bad that I am using them as an excuse to go on rides and eats lots of fair food???
I'll be in touch in a couple!
Coach Pennie
It has been a few months since you heard from me, but know I am back in the volleyball frame of mind and want to share what's happening on the Cougar front.
I have checked off 10 things that I have finished on Coach B's "to do" list and only have 5 more to go before the team checks in on Wednesday! Don't feel too sorry for me....every time he adds something to my list I ask him what he has to do if I am doing "everything". Turns out he has a few lists of his own. I believe this is going to be the most prepared for preseason we have ever been. Along with potentially having the strongest team in recent cougar volleyball history, this could be a GREAT SEASON!
As Coach B mentioned in the last post, we had everyone here last week to help with camps. It was fun to see everyone and watch them interact with the young players at camp. We are really fortunate to be able to work with these ladies everyday....they love volleyball, they want to help other kids become better volleyball players and they are just FUN to be with! It was never ending entertainment!
Well, this is going to be a short one....the county fair is on and I have some kids lined up to go to the midway...... is it bad that I am using them as an excuse to go on rides and eats lots of fair food???
I'll be in touch in a couple!
Coach Pennie
Sunday, August 8, 2010
10 Days!
Hello-
Time flies-- it's August 8 and I haven't posted in almost a month... sorry! Been busy here trying to get all our clothing, shoes, gear ordered (almost done!), enjoying some time off with the family and working volleyball camps!
We had our UMM Cougar Volleyball Camps last week- over 70 campers showed up between the two sessions. I'm thinking about offering an overnight "High Performance/Elite" camp next year to hopefully add to our camp menu and give them a great experience. Had a lot of our players on campus last week to work the camps, it was fun seeing them again and chatting about their summers.
Tomorrow is our first official day back at work. Can't wait to get going!
Have a great week and stay in touch!
Go Cougars!
Coach B
Time flies-- it's August 8 and I haven't posted in almost a month... sorry! Been busy here trying to get all our clothing, shoes, gear ordered (almost done!), enjoying some time off with the family and working volleyball camps!
We had our UMM Cougar Volleyball Camps last week- over 70 campers showed up between the two sessions. I'm thinking about offering an overnight "High Performance/Elite" camp next year to hopefully add to our camp menu and give them a great experience. Had a lot of our players on campus last week to work the camps, it was fun seeing them again and chatting about their summers.
Tomorrow is our first official day back at work. Can't wait to get going!
Have a great week and stay in touch!
Go Cougars!
Coach B
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