UPDATE: In a thrilling conclusion to the state volleyball tournaments, the Stewartville Tigers clinched third place while the Fillmore Central Falcons secured fifth, both showcasing exceptional talent at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on November 11, 2023.
After a tough loss to the No. 2 seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the Class 3A semifinals, Stewartville bounced back with a dramatic five-set victory over No. 5 seed Cretin-Derham Hall. The Tigers triumphed with scores of 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-10, ending their season with an impressive 28-5 record.
Senior middle Matilda Dube led the charge with a match-high 15 kills, supported by fellow seniors Ella Theobald and Dream Petersohn, who each contributed 13 kills. Freshman Sylvia Heusinkvelt added nine kills, while senior setter Abigail Langseth and freshman setter Clara Theobald combined for a total of 51 assists. Defensively, senior Reagan Mittelstadt recorded 22 digs, sealing a memorable victory for the Tigers in their 26th state tournament appearance.
Meanwhile, Fillmore Central delivered a commanding performance against No. 5 seed Cleveland in the Class 1A fifth-place match, winning decisively in straight sets: 25-22, 25-22, 25-14. Senior outside hitter Kyla Hellickson and sophomore middle hitter Madilyn Zwart each tallied 12 kills, fueling the Falcons to finish their season with a strong 27-7 record.
Fillmore Central faced challenges earlier in the tournament, suffering an upset against No. 6 seed Ada-Borup-West in the quarterfinals. However, they rallied by sweeping No. 7 seed Nevis before their final victory. Sophomore setter Hannah Vaalemoen and senior setter Aubrey Daniels provided critical assists with 16 and 15 respectively, while junior libero Josiana Corson led defensively with 21 digs.
Both teams’ achievements reflect a strong commitment to excellence in volleyball, and their performances have captivated fans and communities alike, marking a high point in their athletic journeys.
As the season wraps up, the focus shifts to the upcoming year, with both teams aiming to build on their successes and continue their legacy in Minnesota volleyball. Fans are eager to see how these talented athletes will develop and perform in future competitions.
Stay tuned for more updates as the volleyball landscape evolves and preparations for next season begin.
