By Bruce Strand, Pacesetter Sports

The Minnewaska Area seventh-grade volleyball team placed second among 12 teams in the Minnesota Youth Volleyball State Championships on Oct. 28 at Paynesville High School. 

The Lakers reached the finals with close wins over Hawley and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. In the finals, Caledonia beat them 25-15, 22-25, 15-8. “It was fun to play stronger teams than we usually do,” said coach Mary Johnsrud about the Pacesetter tournament. “We won both our tournaments this season but they were nothing like this one.”  

The Lakers got it done with just seven players: Ava Moen (setter), Ally Johnsrud (outside hitter), Taylor Schultz (outside hitter), Cate Frey (libero), Sophie Boll (middle hitter), Piper Barsness (right-side hitter, setter) and Adeline Oeltjen (middle hitter). 

There was also an eighth-grade tournament which was won by Stewartville.

Pacesetter, based in Paynesville, conducts basketball and volleyball camps and tournaments for area youth all year long.