Hill-Murray edges Kasson-Mantorville in five sets

Hill-Murray made its first appearance in the Class 2A volleyball state tournament this week and, in dramatic fashion in the semifinals, reached the championship match.

The Pioneers defeated Kasson-Mantorville in five sets on Friday in a match that had their coach, Tim Walen, tearing up afterward at what his young team had accomplished.

"It's amazing," Walen said. "I told the kids at the beginning of the season we were going to have a chance to do some cool things if we worked together."

The match began with the second-seeded KoMets (29-6) taking the first set 25-21 over the Pioneers, the third seed. But Hill-Murray took the next two sets at 25-22 and 25-19. Then Kasson-Mantorville came back and won 25-18.

Hill-Murray (29-4) took the fifth and final set at 15-10.

Next up for the Pioneers is two-time defending champion Marshall. Senior middle hitter Raven Ousley-Brown said her team isn't worried.

"We can do this, and I know that we can," she said. "And I'm just really excited about it. I can't wait for tomorrow."

No. 1-seeded Tigers (31-3) were making their 13th consecutive tournament trip and 25th overall. Marshall, which has won five state titles, including two in a row, handled the fifth-seeded Otters 25-15, 25-14, 25-7 in the semifinals.

Marshall head coach Dan Westby said it has sometimes been a challenge motivating his powerhouse team to finish games strong and not let up. The 18-point winning margin in Friday's third set suggested the Tigers have the right mind-set.

"I think our kids are extremely focused right now," Westby said.

Senior setter Sydney Griffin confused Fergus Falls, playing both playmaker and attacker — a role she's familiar with as a four-year starter. She said heading into her last state final is bittersweet, but she is ready to try for the three-peat.