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ST. PAUL -- The Minneota volleyball team is one win away from a state championship after earning a three-set sweep over fourth-seeded Sacred Heart School in the Class A state semifinals Friday at Grand Casino Arena.
The top-seeded Vikings secured their spot in the championship match with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 victory, improving to 30-4 on the season.
The victory also extended Minneota’s winning streak to ten matches, with all ten victories coming in straight sets. The Vikings have continued to build momentum throughout the streak, putting themselves in position to compete for a state championship.
Minneota put together a strong offensive performance, finishing with 46 kills on 110 attempts for a .255 hitting percentage. The Vikings also recorded 44 assists, seven service aces, 53 digs and nine team blocks.
The Vikings had to work through some early nerves before finding their rhythm, according to head coach Kaley Buysse.
“We just played Sacred Heart and took them down in three. It was great. The girls came out hard, started a little slow. I feel like you could feel some of those nerves out there, but once we kind of settled in and got going with our rhythm, a lot of good things were happening and things were going in our favor,” Buysse said.
Jaylyn Coequyt led the Vikings with 14 kills, while Leah Coequyt added nine kills on 17 attempts for a .471 hitting percentage. Eden Meagher also finished with nine kills, and Sophie Gillund contributed six kills while directing the offense with 22 assists.
Libby Sussner added five kills and 16 assists, while Brek Fier chipped in five kills. Defensively, Autum Anderson led Minneota with 18 digs. Gillund added 11 digs, while Sussner finished with 12.
Fier helped lead the Vikings at the net with two solo blocks and four block assists. Jaylyn Coequyt also contributed five block assists as Minneota finished with nine total team blocks.
Buysse said the Vikings’ ability to spread the ball around offensively and have players consistently fulfill their roles has been important to their success.
“Everybody played their role, and everybody has to continue to play their role for us to continue to thrive and move ahead in this,” Buysse said. “Our setters are moving the ball around and you’re seeing that across the front row offensively. A lot of girls are putting the ball away and getting kills, and that’s great. Anytime we can do that and spread out those kills, that’s huge. And defensively, the girls are doing a really good job of that relentless pursuit of the ball.”
Anderson also credited the Vikings’ blocking and setting for helping her do her job defensively.
“It means a lot, but I have to pay a lot of respect to our blockers, because I set up based on them, so they have to be in the right spot for me to be able to read everything,” Anderson said.
The Vikings’ preparation continued into Friday after a quick turnaround from their quarterfinal victory. Buysse said the coaching staff spent time reviewing film and preparing scouting reports while making sure the players were rested and ready.
“It’s a really quick turnaround. We spent last night watching film, digging into some film, just making sure that we’re feeling ready with rotations and hitters and what Sacred Heart is going to have up and where and what we needed to focus on for them,” Buysse said. “Making sure the girls are staying fueled, taking care of their bodies. That’s a big thing, especially with the quick turnaround, and just making sure that they’re rested and ready to go.”
Buysse said the work the players have put in throughout the season, both on and off the court, has helped put them in position to compete for a championship.
“These girls were hungry. They’re hungry every day. I think since that day last year, they wanted it, and you can just tell. You can tell on the court. You can tell outside of the court. The work that gets put in outside of the gym, on and off the court, is just amazing,” Buysse said. “These girls will do whatever. They have proven that they will do absolutely whatever it takes to make sure that we do get to this point and continue to succeed.”
Gillund said the Vikings are excited about the opportunity ahead but understand the importance of staying focused.
“We’re excited knowing that we’re going into the state championship tomorrow, but just have to play our best. Not let the nerves get to us, especially for the young ones who’ve never been there. You have to go out there and play your hardest,” Gillund said.
Junior outside hitter Ava Rost said reaching the championship match is especially meaningful after Minneota did not make it this far last season.
“I think a lot of excitement also because we obviously didn’t make it this far at all last year. It just means a lot,” Rost said. “I think we should also be very proud of where we’ve gotten to as well, because not many teams, only two out of our class in the whole state, can say that they’ve gotten here. It’s something we’d be really proud of.”
Buysse also praised her coaching staff, noting that three of her four assistants are Minneota volleyball alumni who bring their own experience from playing in state tournaments.
“There is absolutely no way I can do this without them. They make this happen,” Buysse said. “Everybody’s doing a job. Everybody’s taking part, and I think the girls have done a really good job this year that it doesn’t just have to come from me. Anything that comes from any of those assistant coaches is just as valuable as if it were to come from me.”
The Vikings will return to Grand Casino Arena Saturday at 1 p.m. to compete for the Class A state championship. Their opponent had not yet been determined at the time of publication.