Coaches

John Yunker graduated from Osseo High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northwest Missouri State University. He has 19 years of experience as a head coach, including one year at Lakeville North, 14 years at Champlin Park, and four years at St. Michael-Albertville. In addition to his head coaching experience, John spent four years as a collegiate assistant coach at the Division I, II, and III levels. He holds a career coaching record of 419–130, with 12 conference championships and 8 section championships. In 2018, he led Champlin Park to a state title and has twice been named State Coach of the Year. John works in the apparel and promotional industry and enjoys fishing and competing in BBQ competitions during his free time.

David graduated from New Fairfield High School in Connecticut. Thereafter, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he began playing in the late 90’s. David earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Education from the U of MN. After graduation, he began coaching high school girls in 1999. He has coached at all levels of high school in the South Suburban Conference including three years as the Head Varsity Coach at Eastview High School. David has been the Head Boys Volleyball Coach at Lakeville North High School for the past four seasons. David is a Math Teacher at Lakeville North High School and has been teaching for 26 years. He lives in Lakeville with his wife Kim and has three children: Cooper, Eli and Lauren. This will be David’s 7th season coaching at Lakeville North.

Sydney graduated from Eastview High School (where coach David Laufenburger was her head coach). Thereafter, she attended Missouri Southern State University where she continued her volleyball career and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness with a minor in Psychology and a Coaching Certificate. Sydney has coached a variety of sports for the past nine years including club volleyball and club baseball where she runs and gives lessons in baseball, softball and volleyball. Sydney is a Field Director for the Minnesota Twins. This will be Sydney’s 3rd season coaching at Lakeville North.

Maddy graduated from Lakeville North High School in 2021, where she was a member of the volleyball program beginning in 7th grade. She continued her academic and athletic career at the University of North Dakota, playing volleyball all four years and earning a degree in Elementary Education in May 2025. Maddy is excited to return to the Lakeville North volleyball program and give back to the community that shaped her.

Brett graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School. Thereafter, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting. In 1994 and 1995, Brett coached at Minnetonka High School. In 2012 and 2013, Brett coached at Lakeville North High School under the leadership of Walt Weaver. In 2017 and 2018, Brett was the Co-Head Coach for the Lakeville North Boys Volleyball team. Brett has coached for our Lakeville North Juniors program, Century Middle School, and various camps for Lakeville North. Brett is a realtor for Edina Realty and handyman at the Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary. This will be Brett’s 7th season (technically 9th counting his two years with Walt) coaching at Lakeville North.

Jonelle graduated from Iroquois High School in Erie, PA, where she was a four-year athlete in both volleyball and softball. She continued her academic and athletic career at Penn State University – Behrend, playing two years of Division III volleyball before transferring to Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, where she earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. After moving to Lakeville from St. Louis with her husband, Jim, Jonelle returned to volleyball when her middle daughter, Alyssa, began in the Saturday morning program. She went on to coach in the Lakeville North Juniors program for several years, eventually serving as Mike Butler’s assistant coach. Since 2020, she has coached in the Century Middle School volleyball program and now takes on the role of Lakeville North High School 9B head coach. Jonelle is the Director of Administration at Clarity Financial in Hopkins and lives in Lakeville with Jim. They have three children—Kaylee, Alyssa, and Ryan—and one grandson, Lachlan.

Mike graduated from Mankato East High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. In 2005, he and his wife, Wendy, founded the Lakeville South Juniors Volleyball program, which he coached and directed for eight years. In 2013, Mike began coaching with the Lakeville North Juniors program, where he continues to coach during the club season. After retiring from his career as a commercial construction superintendent in 2017, he joined the Lakeville North High School volleyball program. This marks his ninth season coaching with LNHS.