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MARSHALL -- The Minneota volleyball team is headed back to the state tournament after sweeping Adrian/Ellsworth 25-18, 25-14 and 25-14 to win the Section 3A championship Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State University.
The Vikings improved to 29-4 overall with the victory and earned the No. 1 seed in the Class A state tournament. Minneota will open quarterfinal play Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul against No. 8 seed Pine River-Backus, which finished the regular season with a 29-3 record. The Vikings won the Class A state title in 2022 and reached the state championship game in 2024.
Minneota took control early, winning the opening set 25-18 before pulling away with matching 25-14 victories in the second and third sets to complete the sweep.
Minneota head coach Kaley Buysse said the Vikings focused on taking the match one point and one set at a time, knowing Adrian/Ellsworth would provide a challenge.
"We knew it was just going to have to be one point, one set at a time," Buysse said. "They’re a good team, and they battled, but I’m glad that we didn’t let them take too much control. We kind of got that control back pretty quick, and just kept it in our favor."
The victory was especially meaningful for the Vikings after falling in the section championship a season ago. Buysse said returning to the championship and earning the win had been a goal since that loss.
"After last year’s loss in the section finals, since that day, this has been the goal," Buysse said. "All season long, that’s been kind of at the forefront of where we wanted to be. We wanted to be in these shoes, and we’ve accomplished that goal. That was step one, but we’re not done."
Leah Coequyt led the Vikings’ offensive attack with 15 kills. Jaylyn Coequyt added eight kills, while Eden Meagher finished with seven and Brek Fier contributed five.
Buysse praised Leah Coequyt’s work throughout the season and the leadership she has provided to the team, particularly as a senior.
"She’s put in work. The way she stepped up this season to lead this team in just more ways than anybody even notices or realizes is amazing," Buysse said. "The connection that she has with her setters, and the way she communicates, and just getting that ball in her hand … it’s so exciting for her that, as a senior, she was able to execute tonight and do it in that big game."
Leah Coequyt also led Minneota at the net with three blocks, while Jaylyn Coequyt added one.
Libby Sussner paced the Vikings with 19 assists, while Sophie Gillund added 15 as Minneota continued to spread the ball around offensively.
Gillund led the team from the service line with three aces. Meagher, Sussner and Autum Anderson each added one.
Buysse said serving was a key part of the Vikings’ performance, noting the team had only three missed serves throughout the match.
"We preach and preach in the gym day after day. If we can serve well and keep them out of system, we’re going to help ourselves out tremendously," Buysse said. "The girls really executed in that."
Anderson led Minneota defensively with seven digs, while Meagher added six. Brynn Rost finished with three digs, and Fier had two.
Buysse also credited the team’s focus and ability to finish sets without allowing the opponent to regain momentum.
"We didn’t kind of lose sight of what we needed to do," Buysse said. "Oftentimes in games past, we kind of become complacent and maybe let up a little bit. We didn’t let that happen tonight."
With the section championship secured, Minneota will turn its attention to the state tournament. Buysse said the Vikings will begin breaking down their first opponent once the state seeds and brackets are announced.
The coach also expressed appreciation for the support the team has received from the Minneota community throughout the season.
"That community support does not go unnoticed. We are so dang lucky that we have them showing up time after time again," Buysse said.
Buysse said the Vikings are excited for the opportunity ahead and intend to make the most of their return to state.
"These girls are going to give 100%. And they’re not going to let up," Buysse said.