UPDATE: The Stewartville Tigers and Fillmore Central Falcons achieved significant victories in the Minnesota state volleyball tournaments, with Stewartville clinching third place and Fillmore Central securing fifth.
After a challenging semifinal loss to the No. 2 seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Friday, the Stewartville Tigers bounced back in a thrilling encounter on Saturday, defeating No. 5 seed Cretin-Derham Hall in five sets: 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-10. This victory took place at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, marking a triumphant end to the Tigers’ season with an impressive overall record of 28-5.
Senior middle hitter Matilda Dube led Stewartville’s charge with a match-high 15 kills. She was supported by senior opposite hitters Ella Theobald and Dream Petersohn, who each contributed 13 kills, while senior Sydney Klar added 12 kills. Freshman outside hitter Sylvia Heusinkvelt also made a mark with 9 kills. In a tightly contested match characterized by 10 ties and 6 lead changes, the Tigers exhibited resilience and skill.
On the defensive end, senior defensive specialist Reagan Mittelstadt notched an impressive 22 digs, leading her team. Sophomore outside hitter Spencer Nagel and sophomore defensive specialist Leah Hebl contributed with 21 and 10 digs respectively. Notably, Petersohn recorded a team-high of four block assists along with one solo block.
Stewartville’s victory not only secures third place but also marks their 26th trip to the state volleyball tournament, adding to their legacy that includes five championship wins, the latest being in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Fillmore Central Falcons delivered an outstanding performance in the Class 1A state volleyball fifth-place match, sweeping No. 5 Cleveland with scores of 25-22, 25-22, 25-14. This victory wraps up the Falcons’ season with a commendable overall record of 27-7.
Senior outside hitter Kyla Hellickson and sophomore middle hitter Madilyn Zwart each recorded a match-high of 12 kills. They were supported by sophomore outside hitter Norah Nagel and junior middle hitter Lauren Dahly, who added 9 and 8 kills respectively. Setting up the offense, sophomore setter Hannah Vaalemoen and senior setter Aubrey Daniels tallied 16 and 15 assists.
In a season filled with ups and downs, Fillmore Central faced a setback against No. 6 Ada-Borup-West in the quarterfinals before storming back to win the consolation bracket, showcasing their determination and talent.
As both teams conclude their seasons, volleyball fans in Minnesota celebrate these remarkable achievements, highlighting the spirit of competition and the dedication of young athletes. Keep an eye out for next season as both Stewartville and Fillmore Central look to build on their successes!
