MINNEAPOLIS— A reverse sweep victory in the sectional championship is consequential enough.
“I was in disbelief,” said Apple Valley sophomore outside hitter Sophia Cowen. “I’ve never cried after a win. All the emotions poured out of me and I just had to cry.”
But this win meant so much more to the Apple Valley volleyball team.
“I never thought I would have gone to state,” senior outside and middle hitter Hannah Gudknecht said. “Especially since my freshman year, we haven’t had a very good record. Especially the last three years.”
It had been 23 years since the Eagles went to state. In the meantime, matters had become dire. For example, two years ago we won only twelve sets in 27 matches. Last season wasn’t much better either.
“A bit hopeless,” Gudknecht said. “It felt like there was nothing we could do.”
But among the losses, Apple Valley fared better. This year they weren’t perfect, but they were finally good. To get there, the main game had to adapt.
“We all have a similar understanding. This is what we want,” Cowen said. “We all want it very deep in our hearts. It’s very important to have that connection with your team.”
“I knew it was there,” senior libero Madelyn Welsch said. “But we had to have the motivation to get there. And reset the mental change and mindset.”
“We have a lot of girls playing club now, compared to what it was like when I started,” Apple Valley head coach Hannah Specktor explained. “So that definitely helps. The girls are getting consistent reps all winter long.”
The team has historically watched the state tournament from the stands.
“Last year I said to Hannah, imagine if we were playing here and now we are,” Welsch said. “So it’s kind of a dream come true.”
This year, Apple Valley played in the state tournament. While it didn’t end with a championship, it did reach a mountaintop in 2024.
“From the beginning, looking at where we were, and now escalating to this point… We lost the first round of sectionals every year,” Gudknecht said. “It was really exciting to get to this point.”
Rene Clayton
