MSHSL Volleyball Champions Crowned

The small school classes awarded State Championship trophies to new teams while the bigger schools had repeat champions Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

In Class A Russell-Tyler-Ruthton went 9-2 in sets while capturing their first title with a 3-1 victory in the finals over traditional power Mayer Lutheran.

Scores were 25-13 R-T-R in first set, 32-30 R-T-R in second set, 25-17 Mayer Lutheran 3rd set and 25-22 R-T-R in 4th set.

The difference appeared to be the Crusaders 34 hitting errors compared to the Knights 22.  R-T-R also had 11 blocks in the championship match.

New Life Academy edged Mabel-Canton in 5 sets for the third place individual medals.

Scores were:  25-14 Mabel-Canton, 25-21 New Life Academy, 26-24 New Life, 25-23 Mabel-Canton, 15-13 New Life.

Ely swept West Central Area for Consolation Championship.

Class AA Pequot Lakes was swept by Cannon Falls in last year's title match.  They were determined that was not going to happen again.

The Patriots swept Rush City by scores of 25-18, 25-22, 25-22 on their way to their first crown.  Pequot Lakes had 24 total errors in the match and the Tigers 39 total mistakes.

Third Place was won by top seed Southwest Christian 3-1 over Caledonia.  Scores were: 25-20 Caledonia, 28-26, 25-14, 25-20 Stars.  SW Christian had 53 kills while the Warriors tallied 40 kills in the match.

Annandale won the Consolation Championship in a five sets over Redwood Valley.

Class AAA Marshall continued their dominance of the class.  The MSHSL went to 4 classes in volleyball in 2021 and Marshall has been the title holder each year.

The Tigers have a state record 9 volleyball championships after sweeping Delano on Saturday.  Scores were:  25-22, 25-13, 25-19.

The Tigers of Marshall totaled 42 kills while the Tigers of Delano clawed 28.

Section One representative Byron defeated Detroit Lakes in third place match 3-2.

Scores were:  25-16, 25-19 Lakers, 25-23, 25-18, 15-13 Bears.  That's right Byron had to come from behind for the victory.

Grand Rapids defeated Monticello 3-1 for Consolation title.

Class AAAA title has been dominated by Wayzata.  The Trojans win their 4th straight big schools championship after not dropping a single set.

Section One Champion New Prague did give them a competitive match with scores of 25-20, 25-23, 26-24.

The Trojans of Wayzata had 38 kills while the Trojans of New Prague finished with 30.

Anoka swept Stillwater Area for Third Place.  Scores were:  25-10, 25-18, 25-17.

The Ponies had 35 errors compared to 21 for the Tornadoes.  Anoka hit 41 kills to Stillwater's 24.

Rogers edged Eagan 3-1 for the Consolation Championship.