Head Coach Abby Walton
E-mail: amonson2@carleton.edu
Phone: 507-222-5675
Abby Walton is entering her fifth season at the helm of the Carleton College volleyball program in 2026.
In her third season in Northfield, Walton led the Knights to the most program wins (13) since the 2016-17 season. In a season that saw much improvement from a year ago, the Knights finished the season 13-13 overall and 4-7 in conference play. Walton is responsible for a heightened energy around the program since her arrival in 2022. Walton had a program-changing win in front of a raucous crowd at West Gym in the 2023 season. The Knights came from behind in the fifth set to win a thriller over cross-town rival St. Olaf College. This win forever edged Walton and the Knights history by bringing "The Bell" (the traveling trophy between the two programs) back to the east side of the river for the first time since 2017, ending a six-year winless streak against the cross-town rival. Prior to Carleton, Walton had seven years of experience in the Big Ten conference, three seasons as a graduate assistant coach (2017-2020), and four years of playing experience at Michigan State University (2014-17).
Walton coached for three years as an graduate assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Cathy George. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Walton also served as the social media coordinator and assisted with recruiting.
Prior to her time on staff at MSU, she played for the Spartans, and was a four-year letter winner as a libero/defensive specialist. She appeared in 117 matches for the Spartans during her collegiate career. Walton finished her career with 971 career digs (2.70 per set) and 45 service aces. She was the recipient of the MSU Extra Mile Award as a rookie and earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2017 as a senior. In her career, MSU finished with an overall record of 84-48 and helped MSU to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the 2017 Elite Eight, the second-best finish in program history. While living in Michigan, Walton spent time coaching for both the FaR Out Volleyball Club and the Capital Volleyball Club in addition to diversifying her experience by working with the Michigan State Men's Club Volleyball team.
Upon returning to her home state, Walton coached for Northern Lights Volleyball Club in Burnsville, Minn., the same club program that she played for while growing up. Walton was a prep volleyball All-American Honorable Mention and an All-State selection in 2013 as a senior at Lakeville North High School, where she was a two-time Minnesota state champion (2010 and 2012) and runner-up in 2011.
She holds two degrees from Michigan State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Advertising Management in 2018 and a master's degree in Education in Sport Coaching and Leadership 2020.
Abby and her husband, Matt, live in Lakeville with their son, Brooks and dog, Bentley.
Assistant Coach: Benjamin Thies
Benjamin Thies joined the Carleton College volleyball coaching staff as an assistant coach in August 2026, bringing nearly two decades of coaching experience at the high school and club levels to the Knights.
Thies brings an extensive background in player development, scouting, and skill instruction, with experience coaching athletes across all positions. His coaching philosophy emphasizes high expectations, clear communication, attention to detail, and developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
Since 2022, Thies has served as an assistant coach with Northern Lights Volleyball Club, spending three seasons with the 15-1 team and one season with the 15-2 team. During his time with Northern Lights, he has assisted with opponent scouting and game planning while working closely with servers, middles, and setters. His club coaching experience includes teams that have competed at the highest levels nationally, including a fifth-place finish in the 17 Open division at the Girls Junior National Championships.
Prior to joining Northern Lights, Thies spent 11 seasons with Minnesota Select Volleyball Club from 2011-22, serving two seasons as a head coach and nine as an assistant coach. He began his coaching career at DeLaSalle High School, where he served as an assistant volleyball coach from 2008-12.
Thies has also worked extensively within the collegiate volleyball community as a summer camp coach. Since 2018, he has coached camps at North Dakota State University, Montana State University, and the University of Minnesota. In those roles, he has provided skill instruction for setters, middles, pin hitters, and defensive specialists while working with athletes across a wide range of ages and experience levels.
Away from the court, Thies has spent more than 15 years as an educator and currently teaches at Westview Elementary School in Apple Valley, Minn. His background in education complements his coaching philosophy and commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes while supporting Carleton's emphasis on academic excellence.
Thies earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 2008, double majoring in Spanish Studies and Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. He later earned a master's degree in education from Minnesota in 2010 and completed additional K-6 elementary education licensure at Hamline University in 2014.
Away from the gym, Thies calls Apple Valley, Minn., home, where he lives with his husband, Ben, and their dog, Keith.
Assistant Coach: Ida Steingas
Ida Steingas joined the Carleton College volleyball program as an assistant coach in July 2024, immediately bolstering the Knights' offensive capabilities. Steingas specializes in pin attacker development and offensive schemes.
An AAU All-American during her playing days, Steingas was a four-year letterwinner at UW-La Crosse, where she made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016.
Steingas brings seven years of coaching experience from both the club and high school levels. Her coaching journey began as an assistant at West Salem (Wis.) High School (2016-17), followed by stints with the Minnesota Freeze and Minnesota North club programs.
Since 2022, Steingas has been a prominent coach at Northern Lights Volleyball Club in Burnsville, Minn. She was part of the staff for the 16-Black team that placed fifth at the 2024 AAU national tournament. In 2025, her 16-Black team had an impressive run, taking 3rd at the Northern Lights Qualifier and winning the Asics Show Me Qualifier, which secured them a bid to the USAV Nationals in Dallas this July. This season, her Northern Lights 16-Black team won a National Championship at the USAV Nationals in Indy in July of 2026 in the Freedom Division.
Steingas earned her bachelor's degree in exercise sports science from UW-La Crosse in 2017 and completed her master's degree in occupational therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in 2021.
