A coach from Eagles' nest

When Dan Seppala speaks, he speaks up.

His words rise and crash off the walls of Apple Valley's gymnasium like waves, every sentence delivering the message that this 27-year-old, taking over for one of Minnesota's winningest high school volleyball coaches, isn't the least bit scared to be here.

Basically, there are two kinds of people. The ones who have been around the volleyball program know Seppala and are convinced he won't miss a beat. The rest aren't worth worrying about.

"The school's been around a long time, and there's been one head coach," Seppala said. "It's not as big a deal to me as it is externally. There were questions right away about what it's like to fill shoes. I just learn to walk barefoot."

You'd think replacing Walt Weaver -- the owner of a 656-196-1 career record and the only coach in Apple Valley's 31-year history -- would be a more daunting task than Seppala's making it out to be.

But you'd only think that if you're not familiar with how the Eagles operate.

Since he was a kid playing in Apple Valley's youth association, Seppala has been around volleyball. He's been at Weaver's side, more or less, since he was a junior in high school managing the team.

After graduating from Apple Valley in 1998, Seppala went to the University of Minnesota, which gave him time to come back and help with the team.

Right after graduating college, he became a teacher and assistant coach at Apple Valley. And when Weaver retired last December, he'd been grooming Seppala to take over for a year.

"I knew pretty much what was going to happen the spring before I quit," Weaver said. "Dan was finding himself talking during timeouts more and more. He was designing more practices. Maybe he didn't understand why, but there was more responsibility for him there."

From a volleyball standpoint, not much has changed for the Eagles. Seppala learned the game through Weaver (who he still occasionally calls "Coach") and assistants Jeff Groves and Gordy Hagert kept their 50-plus years of experience on staff.

Junior Lisa Ruff said Seppala has brought in a few new ideas and a fresh energy to practice. But the major differences will likely come through the years as Seppala grows. That's a change Weaver knows is necessary.

It's not like Weaver won't be watching what his protege does. He is teaching two classes at Apple Valley this fall and still talks to Seppala weekly about volleyball strategy.

He and his wife, Tracey, still coach club volleyball. And when Weaver isn't watching his daughter Lindsey play for top-ranked Lakeville North this fall, he plans to catch the Eagles' matches.

But don't expect Seppala to find Weaver doing any second-guessing. If anyone else is doing it, that's their problem.

"I plan on being here a long time," Seppala said. "Walt set up a good program. The pressure to have immediate success is not there."

Ben Goessling • 612-673-7252