BREAKING NEWS: The Stewartville Tigers and Fillmore Central Falcons have made headlines at the state volleyball tournaments in St. Paul this weekend, securing third and fifth place respectively.
In an intense match on Saturday, November 11, 2023, the No. 3 seed Stewartville Tigers triumphed over No. 5 Cretin-Derham Hall, clinching a dramatic victory in five sets: 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-10. This win at the Grand Casino Arena not only concluded their season on a high note but also marked their 26th appearance in the state volleyball tournament. With an impressive final record of 28-5, the Tigers showcased their resilience after falling to the No. 2 seed Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the semifinals.
Senior middle Matilda Dube led the Tigers with 15 kills, supported by seniors Ella Theobald and Dream Petersohn, each contributing 13 kills. Freshman Sylvia Heusinkvelt added nine kills, while senior setter Abigail Langseth and freshman Clara Theobald split assists, recording 27 and 24 respectively. On defense, senior Reagan Mittelstadt stood out with a match-high 22 digs, crucial in maintaining their edge throughout the match, which featured ten ties and six lead changes.
Meanwhile, the Fillmore Central Falcons delivered a commanding performance of their own, sweeping No. 5 Cleveland with scores of 25-22, 25-22, 25-14 in the Class 1A fifth-place match on Saturday, November 12, 2023. This victory capped off a successful run for the Falcons, who ended their season with a 27-7 overall record.
Senior Kyla Hellickson and sophomore Madilyn Zwart each recorded 12 kills, while Norah Nagel and Lauren Dahly contributed nine and eight kills respectively. Setters Hannah Vaalemoen and Aubrey Daniels combined for 31 assists, and junior libero Josiana Corson led the defense with 21 digs.
After being upset in the quarterfinals by No. 6 Ada-Borup-West, the Falcons bounced back, winning against No. 7 Nevis to secure their spot in the consolation bracket and finish strong at the tournament.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, highlighting the competitive spirit of high school volleyball in Minnesota. Fans and communities are celebrating these remarkable achievements, as Stewartville continues to build on its storied legacy and Fillmore Central marks a significant milestone in its program history.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the aftermath of this thrilling state volleyball tournament.
