Volleyball State Tournament, 2022: Class AA Championship
Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2022 - 7:21 PM
Championship
It was guaranteed that a first-time champion would emerge when top-seeded Pequot Lakes and No. 2 Cannon Falls met for the Class AA crown in the Minnesota State High School League’s Volleyball State Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. Cannon Falls made it clear from the start which school would be wearing blue-ribboned gold medals afterward.
The Bombers recorded a straight-sets 25-17, 25-18, 25-21 victory over Pequot Lakes in a match that took just more than an hour to complete. Cannon Falls (29-7) was dominant at the net with a power game that was buoyed by junior hitter Madison Burr, who was a force throughout with 21 kills. Teammate Kallie Johnson, a junior, added 10. Senior Kyra Schoenfelder led the defensive effort with 23 digs.
In its only other state tournament appearance, Cannon Falls placed sixth in 2021, losing to Southwest Christian in the consolation final.
Junior outside hitter Ella Kratochvil led the Patriots (29-5) with 14 kills while junior libero Kelsi Martini had 14 kills.
Pequot Lakes was making its first appearance since 2019 and third since 1994.
Third place
In the second Class AA match of the day that went the maximum five sets, Annandale rallied with three consecutive set victories to record a 22-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-4 win over Concordia Academy for the third-place trophy. Senior Kali Jones had 34 kills and 40 digs in the 2 hour, 8 minute match for the victorious Cardinals (28-5). Senior outside hitter Ava McTeague had 15 kills and 27 digs for the Beacons (22-12).
Consolation
It took five sets to decide the consolation winner in Class AA, and at the end of a match that lasted more than two hours, it was Belle Plaine that stormed from behind with three consecutive set victories over Pipestone Area to claim the trophy. Senior outside hitter Brianna Swenson had 27 kills and sophomore setter Rachel added 14 to power the Tigers to a 24-26, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-11 victory. Sophomore middle hitter Kenzie Norby had 29 kills for Belle Plaine (27-7). Senior outside hitters Kayla and Kyla Hubbling had 22 and 13 kills, respectively, for the Arrows (27-7).
