For the 12th time in 12 state tournaments, the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals are playing for a state championship.

It really is a mind-boggling accomplishment. It's called making the most of your opportunities.

The Cardinals have never played for anything less than a state title. No third place matches, no consolation championships.

Bethlehem Academy will be trying to get their eighth state title and, if they win on Saturday, they will have four Class A championships in the past five years.

In their semifinal sweep of Heritage Christian by scores of 25-11, 25-17 and 25-19, Bethlehem Academy was very efficient.

The team hitting percentage for the match was .333, led by their all-state selections senior Madi Strodtman, junior Payton Nutter and sophomore Mary Campbell.

Those three combined for 41 of the team's 43 kills.

Nutter had a double-double with 17 kills and 14 assists and again brought out multiple shots from her tool kit to keep the Eagles defense off balance. You just never know what Nutter will do -- hammer the ball, tip it, hang in the air seemingly for a long time before placing it to a hole or dumping it in a fake set attempt.

She had just two hitting errors in the match while hitting .441.

Strodtman has even been more efficient in the tourney. The senior hit .444 following the quarterfinal round's .643 and has had just two hitting errors in two state matches. She had 14 kills.

In particular, color commentator Bethany Boelter noted Campbell's strong blocking presence at the net. Campbell had just two block assists, but sometimes just being there has attackers smacking a ball wide or getting under the ball in an attempt to elevate it over the block.

Campbell collected 10 kills while hitting .333 and added five digs in the match.

Junior libero Keely Skluzacek led the team with 18 digs and junior setter Shelby Meyer led the team with 16 assists and also had five digs.

The Cardinals' attack percentages by set were .414, .333 and .270.

Heritage Christian's top attacker was Jenay Fuglestad and the Cardinals held her to .062 hitting with 10 kills and seven errors in 48 attempts.

Heritage Christian junior setter Maddy Torve was their most effective attacker with six kills while hitting .267.

The Cardinals had five ace serves, Nutter two, Skluzacek two and Meyer one. They also had four service errors.

Bethlehem Academy will play fellow Gopher Conference member Waterville-Elysian-Morristown for the state title Saturday afternoon. First serve is scheduled for 1PM and Bethany Boelter and John Anderson will have the call beginning about 12:30PM on Kat Kountry 105, 104.9 FM.

You can also listen online or download the free RadioPup app and listen on your favorite mobile device.

Bethlehem Academy at match point from Bethany and Gordy's seat
Bethlehem Academy at match point from Bethany and Gordy's seat
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