Trending
MINNEOTA -- The Minneota volleyball team captured its second consecutive Camden Conference championship with a straight-set victory over Central Minnesota Christian on Monday, winning 25-18, 25-19 and 25-16.
The Vikings claimed back-to-back Camden Conference titles with Monday’s win, repeating as champions after defeating Central Minnesota Christian in last year’s championship match on the Bluejays’ home court.
Minneota head coach Kaley Buysse said the Vikings found success by spreading the ball around offensively and attacking different areas of the court.
"I felt like we found a lot more success when we were able to really push the ball out to our pins, both outside and back, and our girls were able to use all areas of the court," Buysse said. "We were swinging down the line, swinging across, and just kind of keeping them on their toes."
The Vikings also served aggressively, which Buysse said helped the team maintain pressure on Central Minnesota Christian.
Minneota improved to 25-4 overall and finished 12-0 in conference play. Buysse said the team has focused on responding quickly after giving up points and preventing opponents from putting together scoring runs.
"We’ve been working really hard on one and done, making sure we’re siding out right away, and just eliminating some of those runs," Buysse said. "The girls did good just working together, staying together."
Eden Meagher led Minneota with 16 kills, reaching the 1,000-kill milestone for her career in the process. The senior began playing varsity volleyball as an eighth-grader, making the achievement a significant milestone in her career.
"This is huge for her, and a huge milestone," Buysse said. "We were excited to get to have this opportunity to achieve this with her."
Meagher also recorded nine digs and two blocks. Jaylyn Coequyt added 10 kills, while Leah Coequyt finished with four, Sophie Gillund had two and Brek Fier added one.
Autumn Anderson recorded nine digs and led the Vikings with three service aces. Brynn Rost finished with four digs, while Libby Sussner had three.
At the net, Fier led Minneota with three blocks. Meagher added two, while Jaylyn Coequyt and Ava Rost each recorded one.
Sussner led the Vikings with 15 assists, while Gillund added 13. Meagher recorded two service aces, and Sussner added one.
Buysse also praised Jaylyn Coequyt’s defensive development this season and said her work in the back row has helped her contribute offensively.
"She's really kind of come out of her shell and done some work, making sure she’s playing defense first before she’s playing offense," Buysse said. "She’s getting some digs on the board, so that’s fun for her, too. And then, in return, really helping set herself up on offense."
Buysse said Meagher has also continued to find different ways to attack, including line shots, cross-court swings and roll shots.
"Just being smart offensively on where those defenders are and really putting that ball away," Buysse said.
Minneota will open Section 3A play at home against Dawson-Boyd at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The Vikings swept Dawson-Boyd in the regular season on Sept. 22, also on Minneota’s home court.
Buysse said the Vikings will focus on cleaning up areas of their game before turning their attention to the postseason matchup.
"It’s just, honestly, one game at a time," Buysse said. "We’re not going to overlook anybody. We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. … It’s Monday, one point, just do our thing one point at a time."