Faribault Bethlehem Academy is one of the smallest schools invited to the Shakopee Volleyball Tournament but the Cardinals came home champions after defeating Shakopee and Eagan, two of Class 3A’s giants.

The Cardinals defeated the Sabres 25-23, 18-25, 15-12 in the finals Saturday after recording a victory over the Wildcats on Friday in the semifinals of the tournament at Shakopee High school.

Shakopee has a solid volleyball tradition while Eagan is ranked No. 1 in the most recent Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s Class 3A poll and the defending state champion. Bethlehem Academy was aware that the path to the title was going to be tough but the Cardinals, the No. 1 team in Class 1A, were ready for the challenge.

"It's always a great test for us to see how we can play with these teams," senior Shanna Matejcek said. "We know that we are going to have to give it our all to make it happen. This was a big win for our school because we showed that just because we are a small school, we can compete and play with these big schools."

Bethlehem Academy did compete but needed three sets against Shakopee to secure the title.

The Sabres have a lineup of hitters who can bury the ball and Shakopee’s plan was to use its offense to overpower the Cardinals.

Matejcek, however, would not let that happen. The libero’s defense was key to the victory, finishing with a team-high 17 digs.

"She was amazing," sophomore setter Payton Nutter said. "It's motivating to see one of your teammates diving around, giving it their all."

Bethlehem Academy won the first set in a back-and-forth battle but dropped the second as Shakopee’s potent offense started to heat up. The Sabres carried the performance into the third before the Cardinals’ offense answered by winning five of the final seven points and close out the victory.

"I know we never beat (the Sabres) here," Bethlehem Academy coach Franz Boelter said. "I was proud of how we hung in there.

"They (Shakopee) were really good in the second and we could have folded but this team doesn't do that and I am so proud of them for doing that,” he added.

Lauren Mathews led the Cardinals with 10 kills and added 15 digs, helping give tiny Bethlehem Academy the balanced play it needed to win against the giants.

"We are the small school coming in and it was great to see us play so well,” Boelter said.

Lauren Mathews had a team-high 10 kills and 15 digs as Faribault Bethlehem Academy defeated Shakopee 25-23, 18-25, 15-12 to win the Shakopee Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Shakopee High School.

Shanna Matejcek led the Cardinals with 17 digs against an impressive Sabers' attack.

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