UPDATE: The Stewartville Tigers secured third place in the Class 3A state volleyball tournament, defeating Cretin-Derham Hall in a thrilling five-set match on November 11, 2023, at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. Just a day after falling to the No. 2 seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the semifinals, the Tigers rallied to finish their season on a high note.
In a nail-biting contest, Stewartville triumphed with scores of 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-10. Senior middle hitter Matilda Dube led the charge with 15 kills, supported by fellow seniors Ella Theobald and Dream Petersohn, who each added 13 kills. Freshman sensation Sylvia Heusinkvelt contributed nine kills, showcasing the depth of talent on the team.
Defensively, senior defensive specialist Reagan Mittelstadt recorded a match-high 22 digs, ensuring the Tigers could maintain the momentum in critical moments. The match featured 10 ties and six lead changes, emphasizing the intense competition for third place. Stewartville concludes its season with a stellar record of 28-5 and marks its 26th appearance at the state tournament, with five championship wins to its name, the latest being in 2019.
Meanwhile, Fillmore Central also made headlines by clinching fifth place in the Class 1A state volleyball tournament, overpowering Cleveland with a decisive sweep of 25-22, 25-22, 25-14. The Falcons, seeded No. 3 in the tournament, showcased their dominance after a setback in the quarterfinals against No. 6 Ada-Borup-West. They rebounded to sweep No. 7 Nevis in the consolation bracket before finishing strong.
In the fifth-place match, senior outside hitter Kyla Hellickson and sophomore middle hitter Madilyn Zwart each delivered a match-high 12 kills, supported by sophomore outside hitter Norah Nagel and junior middle hitter Lauren Dahly with nine and eight kills, respectively. Sophomores Hannah Vaalemoen and Aubrey Daniels shared the setting duties, tallying 16 and 15 assists each. Junior libero Josiana Corson led the defense with 21 digs.
Fillmore Central ends its season with a record of 27-7, marking a significant achievement in the program’s history as this was their third state tournament appearance.
Both teams’ performances highlight the competitive spirit and resilience of Minnesota high school volleyball, making this year’s state tournament a memorable event for players and fans alike. As the volleyball season concludes, all eyes will be on the upcoming year, with hopes for continued success and thrilling matchups.
