UPDATE: The Stewartville Tigers have triumphed in the Class 3A state volleyball tournament, clinching third place after a victorious match against Cretin-Derham Hall on October 28, 2023. In a thrilling five-set showdown, the Tigers prevailed with scores of 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-10, solidifying their impressive season record of 28-5 at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
Following a tough semifinal loss to the No. 2 seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Stewartville bounced back to finish their campaign on a high note. Senior middle hitter Matilda Dube led the charge with a match-high 15 kills, supported by seniors Ella Theobald and Dream Petersohn, who each contributed 13 kills. Additionally, senior opposite hitter Sydney Klar added 12 kills, while freshman outside hitter Sylvia Heusinkvelt contributed nine kills.
Defensively, senior defensive specialist Reagan Mittelstadt shone with an impressive 22 digs, complemented by sophomore outside hitter Spencer Nagel and sophomore defensive specialist Leah Hebl, who recorded 21 and 10 digs, respectively. The match featured 10 ties and six lead changes, showcasing the intense competition.
Meanwhile, the Fillmore Central Falcons delivered a dominant performance in the Class 1A state volleyball tournament, securing fifth place by sweeping Cleveland 25-22, 25-22, 25-14 on October 28, 2023. This victory capped off a strong finish for the Falcons, who ended their season with a record of 27-7.
Senior outside hitter Kyla Hellickson and sophomore middle hitter Madilyn Zwart each recorded 12 kills in the match, while sophomore outside hitter Norah Nagel and junior middle hitter Lauren Dahly added nine and eight kills, respectively. Sophomore setter Hannah Vaalemoen and senior setter Aubrey Daniels contributed 16 and 15 assists in a well-rounded team effort. Junior libero Josiana Corson led the defense with 21 digs.
Fillmore Central had previously faced a setback against No. 6 Ada-Borup-West in the quarterfinals but rebounded impressively through the consolation bracket, showcasing their determination and resilience.
As both teams wrap up their seasons, Stewartville’s journey marks their 26th trip to the state volleyball tournament, with five championship wins, the last occurring in 2019. Fillmore Central celebrates its third appearance in program history, reflecting a promising future ahead.
With these thrilling matches concluding, fans and players alike are already looking forward to next season’s excitement. Stay tuned for more updates on local teams and tournament outcomes as they unfold.
