The Minnesota West Lady Jays volleyball team has secured its place in the national tournament after clinching the Region 13A championship for the second consecutive year. With a remarkable season record of 35-4, the Lady Jays triumphed over their competitors at the regional tournament held in Coon Rapids. This victory not only marks their return to the NJCAA Division III tournament but also builds on their success as last year’s runners-up.
Volleyball Championship Highlights
During the Region 13 tournament, which took place over the weekend, the Lady Jays showcased their strength by defeating Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range in a four-set match on Friday. They continued their winning streak by sweeping St. Cloud Technical College in the title match on Saturday. Sophomore hitter Sadie Krahling was named the tournament MVP, contributing significantly with a total of 29 kills, 29 digs, and two ace serves across both matches.
Additional standout players included libero Kadyn Paulson, who recorded 31 digs, and hitters Raya Van Beek and Ally Nelson, who were also selected for the Region 13A all-tournament team. Van Beek achieved 17 kills and seven blocks, while Nelson contributed 14 kills and ten blocks throughout the tournament.
In their first match against Mesabi Range, the Lady Jays secured victories in sets with scores of 25-15, 25-27, 25-22, and 25-11. Key performances included Kylee Larson with ten kills, and setter Kate Slettum, who provided 45 assists and 14 digs. The following day, the Lady Jays dominated St. Cloud Technical, winning 25-8, 25-17, and 25-13. Aleah Wagner contributed with nine kills and 14 digs, while the team collectively achieved 16 blocks.
The national tournament is set to take place at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from November 13-15, 2023. The seedings for the tournament will be announced on November 4, and the Lady Jays are currently ranked third in the latest NJCAA Division III poll.
Football Season Concludes
In contrast, the Minnesota West football team’s season came to an end on Sunday with a 41-28 playoff loss to the North Dakota State College of Science. The Bluejays, who entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, finished their season with a record of 5-4 after reaching the semifinals of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) playoffs.
The Wildcats, seeded second and boasting a record of 9-1, will advance to face No. 1 Rochester in the MCAC championship next Sunday, November 9. The first half of the playoff game was tightly contested, with the Wildcats holding a narrow lead of 21-14. However, they capitalized on momentum in the second half, scoring immediately after the break and extending their lead to 34-14 with ten unanswered points.
Despite a determined effort from Minnesota West, which included a touchdown that reduced the deficit, they were unable to complete a comeback. Quarterback Armon Vinson delivered a solid performance, throwing for 221 yards and rushing for another 91 yards. Wide receiver Ethan Pridgen led the receiving corps with six catches for 70 yards.
As the volleyball team looks forward to the national stage, the football program will regroup and prepare for the upcoming season, reflecting on the successes and challenges of the past year.
