Volleyball State Tournament, 2022: Class AAAA Championship
Posted: Saturday, November 12, 2022 - 10:10 PM
Championship
Top-seeded Wayzata cemented its status as elite-level within the Minnesota State High School League’s volleyball programs following a powerful 26-24, 25-12, 25-23 victory over No. 2 Lakeville North in the Class AAAA championship match Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.
The victory gave the Trojans (30-4) the big-school title for the second consecutive year and third since 2019. Had it not been for the COVID-19 global pandemic that forced the cancellation of the 2020 volleyball state tournament, their latest title might have been the fourth in a row. Instead, it was the third crown to go with two state runner-up finishes.
Despite the closeness of scores in Sets 1 and 3, the Trojans appeared to be in control throughout and never wavered when the Panthers (29-5) made surges. Wayzata relied on its balance of power and finesse to stop Lakeville North runs and find the necessary separation to clinch sets, and ultimately, the match.
Junior outside hitter Olivia Swenson was a force at the net for the Trojans with 14 kills. Junior outside hitter Avery Jesewitz added 10 kills and 17 assists. Senior libero Sophia Johnson also had 17 digs.
Lakeville North, looking for its fourth big-school championship, finished as runner-up for the third time. Senior outside hitter Emily Ramsay had 10 kills for the Panthers and a team-best 18 kills.
Third place
East Ridge bounced back from a loss to Lakeville North in the semifinals to record a 25-22, 25-16, 25-18 victory over Rogers for the third-place trophy. Senior outside hitter Mikayla McDougall led a balanced Raptors attack with seven kills while sophomore middle blocker Addison Mattes and junior middle blocker Alexa Dietz had six each. Senior libero Ellenor Crimmins had 11 digs for East Ridge (25-8). East Ridge was the Class AAAA runner-up to Wayzata in 2021.
Rogers (30-6), the Section 8AAAA champion, got 16 kills from senior middle hitter Hannah Bruskiewicz.
Consolation
Centennial finished its season with two consecutive victories, the final one a 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-18 win over Chaska in the consolation final. Senior outside hitter Andrea Koslowski led the way with 21 kills and 21 digs for the Cougars (27-5). Senior outside hitter Ella Christ had 18 kills for the Hawks (24-8).