The dust has finally settled on the 2025 season. Honestly, if you weren’t at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul this past November, you missed some of the most electric atmosphere in years. We’re talking about a year where dynasties didn't just win—they basically built permanent residence at the top of the podium. Everyone is looking for mn hs volleyball scores to see if their local favorites made the cut, but the real story is in the grit shown in those four-set and five-set grinds.
Minnesota volleyball is weirdly deep. Like, "JV teams that could win other states' varsity titles" deep. Dan Westby, the legendary coach at Marshall, even said his own junior varsity squad is better than a lot of varsity teams they see. That’s the kind of environment these kids are playing in every night.
The Big Winners: MN HS Volleyball Scores at the State Level
If you’re checking the final mn hs volleyball scores for the championship rounds, the names at the top look familiar for a reason. Marshall grabbed their 10th state title. Ten. That is a MSHSL record. They took down Benilde-St. Margaret’s in a four-set battle ($25$-$20$, $25$-$12$, $27$-$29$, $25$-$17$) that felt like it was going to be a sweep until the Red Knights decided they weren't done yet. Benilde-St. Margaret's fended off eight match points in that third set. Eight!
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It’s that kind of resolve that makes the Minnesota state tournament so brutal. Marshall eventually hit a 6-0 run in the fourth set to put it away, but for a minute there, the energy in the arena shifted toward a possible upset.
Class AAAA: Lakeville South Does It Again
Lakeville South is officially a problem for the rest of the 4A field. They secured back-to-back titles, proving that their 2024 run wasn't just a lucky break. While schools like Wayzata and Eagan usually dominate the conversation, Lakeville South has found a way to peak exactly when the calendar hits November.
Class AA: The Hawley Nuggets Dynasty
Over in Class AA, Hawley is doing Hawley things. They also pulled off a back-to-back state championship. When you look at their mn hs volleyball scores from the section tournament through to the final, they barely blinked. They swept Wadena-Deer Creek in the Section 8AA final and carried that momentum straight through the Xcel.
Class A: Mayer Lutheran Back on Top
Mayer Lutheran took home the Class A trophy after a clinical performance against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton. They won in straight sets ($25$-$17$, $25$-$15$, $25$-$23$). RTR kept it close in the third, but Mayer Lutheran has this specific brand of composure that’s hard to beat in a high-pressure environment like the state final.
Why Section Scores Tell the Real Story
Most people only care about the big show in St. Paul. That’s a mistake. The section playoffs are where the real heartbreaks happen. In Minnesota, getting out of your section is sometimes harder than winning a game at state. Take Section 7AA, for example. Esko and Rush City went to five sets in the championship. Esko took it, but that match was a coin flip.
- Section 1A: Fillmore Central was a force, entering state as a top seed after dominating their local bracket.
- Section 8A: Sacred Heart and Ada-Borup-West had everyone’s eyes in the north, with Sacred Heart ultimately punching their ticket.
- Section 2AAA: This is basically the "Section of Death." When you have Marshall in your path, your season usually ends in a quiet bus ride home.
The mn hs volleyball scores from late October are often more lopsided, but once you hit the sub-section finals, everything tightens up. You’ll see scores like $26$-$24$ or $29$-$27$ constantly. It’s a game of inches—or, more accurately, a game of who can pass a serve under pressure.
Standout Players That Controlled the Box Scores
You can't talk about scores without talking about the kids putting the ball on the floor. Elena Hoecke from Centennial was named Ms. Baden Volleyball for 2025. She’s a middle that basically changed the geometry of the court. If you were looking at Centennial's mn hs volleyball scores, you’d see her name attached to double-digit kills and blocks almost every single night.
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At Marshall, it was the Avery Fahl and Reese Drake show. In the championship match alone, they both put up 21 kills. Having two hitters that can consistently terminate the ball takes so much pressure off the setter. It basically forces the defense to pick their poison.
Sorting Through the Rankings
If you're trying to make sense of the QRF (Quality Results Formula) versus the coaches' polls, good luck. QRF loves a tough schedule. Coaches love a team that passes the "eye test."
Before the state tournament kicked off, the rankings looked something like this:
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- Lakeville South (AAAA)
- Marshall (AAA)
- Delano (AAA)
- Maple Grove (AAAA)
- Mayer Lutheran (A)
Delano had an incredible regular season (28-3) but ran into a buzzsaw. That’s the thing about mn hs volleyball scores—a regular-season win streak doesn't guarantee a trophy. It just gives you a target on your back.
Looking Toward 2026: What's Next?
The 2025 season is technically over, but for the elite programs, the 2026 season started the Monday after the state tournament. Most of these girls are now heading into the club season (Northern Lights, MN Select, etc.), which is where the real recruiting happens.
If you're a fan, keep an eye on the sophomore class. There’s a lot of height coming up through the ranks in the Lake Conference and the South Central.
Practical Steps for Fans and Parents:
- Track the QRF: Don't just look at wins and losses. Check the QRF values on Minnesota-Scores to see who is actually playing the toughest schedule.
- Follow the MNVBCA: The Coaches Association is the best place for All-State lists and official awards.
- Watch the Sections: If you want to see the best volleyball, go to a Section 1 or Section 8 final. The atmosphere in those small-town gyms is often better than the big arena.
- Prep for Boys Volleyball: Remember, boys volleyball is now an officially sanctioned MSHSL sport. Their season starts in the spring, so the "volleyball scores" hunt doesn't have to end just because the snow is on the ground.
The level of play in this state is sky-high right now. Whether it's a small Class A school in the cornfields or a massive 4A powerhouse in the suburbs, the mn hs volleyball scores reflect a culture that takes the sport seriously. Marshall’s tenth title might be the headline, but the parity across all four classes is what makes Minnesota a volleyball state.