This week, I am dropping episode 18 of the Work Hard, Play Harder podcast with Wabasso Rabbits volleyball head coach Barb Johnson Johnson, an SMSU alum and former college volleyball player.

Johnson made a seamless transition into coaching over a decade ago. She coaches high school girls now but has diversified her experience by also coaching men in the past.

In this podcast episode, we Johnson’s memories of sports while she was growing up. Johnson played basketball, track, and volleyball. She also had two older brothers who were wrestlers.

We also talk about the season and its highlights. Johnson had a young team this year. Kelsey Frank was the Rabbits’ only senior. Johnson spoke on the dynamic of coaching her daughter, Audrey Johnson.

“Audrey is used to having coaches around the house. My husband coaches football at [Renville County West] also,” Barb Johnson said. “Fall is very busy for us. I will say that this season was much easier than last season just because I was concerned about her maturity. Sometimes it would be some pretty quiet ride homes last year, but this season has been much better. She knows that regardless of whether it is me or any other coach when they tell you to do something, you just go with it.”

Johnson added that they have a counselor that is an assistant coach, which helps gauge the team’s mental health. She advocated that it makes things easier for the girls to talk to the coaches about things that come up.

The Wabasso Rabbits are coming off a season where they lost in the section quarterfinals to the eventual section and state champions, the Minneota Vikings. With most of her players returning next season, don’t hesitate to cheer on the Wabasso Rabbits volleyball team.

Work Hard, Play Harder Episode 18