Photo by Chris Drummond Minneota’s Lyzah Sussner (2) serves the ball in the Vikings’ State Class A Quarterfinals match against New Life Academy-Woodbury on Thursday night.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneota Vikings shrugged off a slow start to defeat the New Life Academy in four sets. With the win, the Minneota Vikings will face off against Belgrade Brooten Elrosa High School in the Class A state volleyball semifinals on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The Vikings came out and seized control early in set one, capitalizing on the mistakes of the Eagles. The Vikings took the first set 25-13 behind the hitting of Elivia Faris and Ella Johnson.

However, in set two, the Vikings struggled against the Eagles’ defense at the net. Many of the Vikings’ kills were blocked and scored for points to the Eagles. Set two went back and forth full of runs.

After the Eagles took a 10-7 lead, the Vikings would score six unanswered points retaking the lead by three. Then the Eagles scored seven straight points forcing a timeout to be called by Vikings head coach Hayley Fruin. The timeout helped and the set was all tied up at 23. The Eagles would score the last two points of set two, making it a tie match at one set apiece after NLA’s 25-23 win.

Set three, the Vikings left no doubt. Flying all around the court and getting multiple kills and tips to extend their lead to 20-9. The Vikings played tremendous defense as well blocking kills and serving the ball effectively. The Eagles tried to muster a comeback, but the deficit was too large and the Vikings grabbed set three by a score of 25-13.

Down two sets to one, NLA tried to do all it could to hold off the charge by the Vikings. However, Minneota had settled themselves into the match and took a big lead in set four again. It was a combination of great passing, timely kills, great defense, and unforced errors by the Eagles. The Vikings closed out the match and won set four 25-14, heading to the semifinals.

“I think the stage and nerves got to us a little bit,” Fruin said. “A lot of it was mental errors. We knew they were a scrappy team and we just knew that we couldn’t get frustrated, but we did. After the second set loss, we regroup and started playing much better. We know it’s going to take all of us. Passing is going to be important so we can use everyone and try to spread the ball around to save a little on each kid’s arm and legs. This is a full team effort and we are aware of that.”

Lyzah Sussner had 27 digs, teammate Ireland Stassen had 17 digs. Stassen led her team in assists with 27. Emma Bottelberghe led the team in kills with 12.