Marshall at Faribault Bethlehem Academy
7:15 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28

Listing the achievements of these two programs is both easy and difficult. It’s easy to list the victories, the state titles and appearances each has made.

Marshall holds state records for most all-time state tournament trips (25), most consecutive visits to state (13 and counting) and is tied for second with Faribault Bethlehem Academy for most state championships (six, all in the last 10 years — Robbinsdale Armstrong has seven titles from 1980-2002).

Bethlehem Academy is a more recent dynasty. The Cardinals have qualified for 10 of the last 12 state tournaments, each time advancing all the way to the championship match. They've won it all in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012. 

But it’s also difficult, in that both programs have had too many top players over the years to list them all. Yet despite graduation losses that would cripple most programs, these two continue to churn along like juggernauts.

Marshall won its third straight state title last fall, cruising past Hill-Murray in the Class 2A final. It was an expected coronation for coach Dan Westby and a senior-laden lineup that included three All-Staters (outside hitter Kenzie Beekman, setter Sydney Griffin and libero Hannah Bennett). Even with their departure, the Tigers still have plenty of respect statewide, racking up enough votes to finish second in the preseason poll in Class 2A. It’s up to the next generation of Tigers such as senior Callie Graff and juniors Marah Mulso and Lexi Saugstad to continue that tradition.

Bethlehem Academy, meanwhile, returns a deep lineup that has coach Franz Boelter excited about the new season. The Cardinals were expected to contend for their third straight state title last fall, but missed the state tournament entirely, largely due to injuries. But now with a healthy lineup that includes All-Staters Lauren Mathews and Payton Nutter, and seniors Payton Schultz and Shanna Matejcek, Bethlehem Academy is right back at No. 1.