New Prague volleyball defeats Stillwater in Class 4A semifinal
The No. 2-seed New Prague Trojans (27-4) defeated the Stillwater Ponies (20-10) 25-11, 25-17, 25-18 in the Class 4A MSHSL semifinals on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center.
In its first season in Class 4A, the Trojans will play for the state title.
"They've definitely put in the work and earned their way to a state championship game," New Prague head coach Greg Sayuk said. "I couldn't be more exited for them."
The first set was tied at 7-7 before the Trojans outscored the Ponies 18-4 to finish it. New Prague continued to dominate in the second and third set.
"That offense was one of the best offenses we've faced yet," Stillwater head coach Sara Baumgard said. "They never did one thing the same. To play with that level of volleyball I.Q., it's hats off to them."
Avery Klein was the beneficiary of the smooth offense. The senior finished with 19 kills in the game.
"Our serve receive, passing defense did a really good job because when that's on, everything else turns on," Klein said. "We did a good job identifying their hitter and getting a good block on them on defense."
It's the first season the Trojans are in Class 4A, and it will be the second time in school history they will play for a state title.
"When we found at that we were going to 4A, I think all of us were kind of scared," junior Emerson Dillon said. "I think that us getting this far, that's a huge accomplishment for us."
The Trojans will play undefeated and four-time consecutive champion Wayzata in the state final on Saturday. New Prague is confident having faced the Trojans over the summer.
"Us winning that summer tournament made it so we don't fear anybody," Sayuk said.
