2024 Volleyball State Tournament: Class A Championship Recap

This time, it was Mayer Lutheran’s turn.

Mayer Lutheran and its storied rival, Minneota, met again for a Class A championship, and the competitive spirit and high energy from the two programs have remained consistently strong through the years. 

The top-seeded Crusaders, poised to regain a Class A crown it hadn’t captured since 2021, added another title to its resume with a 25-14, 27-25, 25-17 victory over No. 2 Minneota in the championship match of the Minnesota State High School League’s Girls Volleyball State Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. 

Senior middle blocker Marley Martin and sophomore outside hitter Courtney Tuttle paced a balanced attack with 10 kills each and junior setter Izabelle Keaveny directed the offense with 31 assists as the Crusaders (31-5) won a volleyball state championship for the fifth time. Mayer Lutheran was the runner-up to Russell-Tyler-Ruthton a year ago. In 2022, Minneota outlasted Mayer Lutheran in a classic championship match that went five sets. 

In 2021, it was Mayer Lutheran that got the best of Minneota, snapping the Vikings’ bid for a three-peat of titles. 

In perhaps a prelude of what might be in store during the state tournament, Mayer Lutheran won two sets over Minneota during an invitational on Sept. 7. That momentum carried over into the first set of the Class A championship match when Mayer Lutheran raced to a 16-7 lead. Minneota (24-12) couldn’t quite even the match when Mayer Lutheran recorded a nail-biting two-point victory. 

Sophomore Jaylyn Coequyt had 16 kills for Minneota, which was seeking its fifth state crown.

Third place

West Central Area ended the season on a winning note following a 25-19, 25-23, 25-16 victory over Fillmore Central in the third-place match. Senior outside hitter Mya Foslien powered the Knights (29-5) with 17 kills and 18 digs. Ninth-grade middle hitter Madilyn Zwart had 12 kills for Fillmore Central (18-17).

Consolation 

New Life Academy ended its postseason run with a 5-1 record culminating with a 25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22 victory over Kittson County Central in the Class A consolation final. Senior Makenna Lilly finished with 17 kills and junior Marisa Michaelis added 15. The Eagles’ only loss during the postseason was in the Class A quarterfinals to Fillmore Central.