Roseville girls volleyball went 24-9 during the regular 2025 season, 9-3 during conference play, and got 4th at state in class AAAA. If you’re wondering how they get and stay so good during the off season…that’s club volleyball.
Whitney Walen (setter) and Stella Rivard (libero) are both sophomores on the RAHS varsity team, and when they aren’t in high school season they are playing for MN Select Volleyball. Both Walen and Rivard are on the 16-1s team, practice six hours a week, and have tournaments most weekends.
Q: How long have you been playing and what got you started?
Walen: “I started playing volleyball when I was 8, and I started playing club when I was 10. Both my parents played and coached most of their lives so that’s what got me into it.”
Rivard: “I have been playing volleyball for 9 years now, and been playing club for 7. I got started through little Canada rec league after seeing my cousins play and attending the gopher games when I was little.”
Q: What helps you stay driven and focused?
Walen: “The things that help me stay driven and focused are the goals I have for myself, my coaches, and teammates.”
Rivard: “What helps me stay driven and focused is asking for advice from others who have been through this and applying what they tell me and finding the joyful parts of the sport that are not just on the court.”
Q: What is your favorite part of Club volleyball?
Walen: “My favorite part of club volleyball is traveling with my team and going to big tournaments in huge convention centers around the country. I also love how competitive it is.”
Rivard: “My favorite part of club volleyball is the friendships I make with both teammates and coaches and all of the opportunities to travel and play on big stages.”
Q: How has club volleyball affected your school life/ life in general?
Walen: “Club volleyball is super busy so it does make me miss school sometimes for out of town tournaments.”
Rivard: “Volleyball has affected my life by gaining my best friends off the court and giving me a sense of community from the shared love of the sport. It has taught me responsibility for my time and others, and the importance of perseverance.”
Q: What are your goals in volleyball?
Walen: “My goals in volleyball is to play in college and be successful at nationals this year with my team.”
Rivard: “My goals in volleyball are to continue to play at the college level if the opportunity presents itself, to pursue my own happiness within volleyball, and continue to do what makes me happy.”
