Sports

Better late than never for Chaska

Chaska made up for a disappointing finish last year by winning state this time.

By Jim Paulsen

November 9, 2014 at 5:18AM

Chaska players celebrated after beating defending champion Eagan for the Class 3A title on Saturday. The No. 1-ranked Hawks rolled over the Wildcats 25-17, 25-19, 25-21. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

This was supposed to happen last year.

Chaska, fresh off a national championship in Junior Olympic volleyball and stocked with veterans, was expected to make a serious run at winning the 2013 Class 3A state championship.

The Hawks never got that far, losing in the section playoffs. That heartbreak became the impetus for one of the most dominant state tournament runs in history.

Chaska crushed all comers, including defending champion Eagan on Saturday, en route to its first state title since 2006.

The Hawks closed out the tournament with a commanding 25-17, 25-19, 25-21 victory over the Wildcats at Xcel Energy Center.

"That was fuel for our fire," Chaska coach Sue Murphy said of the disappointment of 2013. "We had seven seniors coming back. This was their dream."

The most convincing part of Chaska's victory was not found in statistics, as impressive as they were.

The Hawks had 56 kills in the finals, an astounding number for a three-set match.

As they have all season, senior hitters Sarah Kelly (19 kills) and Erin Schindler (16 kills, 12 digs) led the offense. Senior setter Makayla Wenzel did a masterful job of distributing the ball, collecting 50 assists.

But the key to the Hawks' run to the finals was the confidence the team displayed.

They never got rattled, rarely got nervous and played as if the outcome had already been determined.

"Whenever someone would have a problem, there is always someone else to pick her up," Wenzel said. "We have complete trust in each other. Nobody shows their nerves. We had unfinished business to take care of."

Chaska started the season ranked No. 1 but didn't go through it undefeated. The Hawks lost twice to rival Prior Lake and suffered another defeat to Hopkins. Those losses, Murphy said, were crucial, even if they were unwelcome.

"They kept us humble" Murphy said.

Chaska jumped out to big leads in all three sets Saturday, withstood every challenge Eagan could muster, then closed out each set with precision. Murphy, who was a co-coach on Chaska's previous state champs, said she never had a team that played with such composure.

"When we woke up this morning, I could feel their energy and spirit," she said. "They weren't going to lose. I've never had a team so focused on winning."

When asked to compare winning a national championship with a state title, senior outside hitter Lauren Nordvold paused.

"That's a tough choice," she said. After contemplating the question a bit, she said: "It has to be this. We have our whole community here to support us. This was our time."