Edina was a middling 13-13 overall in the regular season, including an 0-8 record in the rugged Lake Conference.
The good thing about the playoffs, at least in the Hornets' view, is that records are wiped clean.
“In our team meeting before the game we started talking how everyone is 0-0 and it’s a clean slate," Edina senior Jordan Thompson said about the buildup to Tuesday's Class 3A, Section 6 quarterfinal match against Robbinsdale Armstrong at Edina High School. "We really knew that going into this it’s a fair game despite our past.”
Thompson had 12 kills, an ace and a block assist in Edina’s 25-8, 25-19, 25-15 victory over Armstrong. Thompson had to sit out five months after transferring from Minneapolis Southwest last season, so this is her first year competing with the Hornets. It's also her first year playing back row.
“This is our one year with her,” Edina coach Stephanie Chapek said. “She’s just an amazing right side. She only played right side in club, and we asked her to play all six rotations outside passing, hitting, and playing defense. She’s really embraced it and grown during the season and improved on it.”
Thompson was looking forward to the move to back row and claimed the adjustment wasn’t too difficult. The senior will be playing at the Division I level next fall for Cincinnati.
The Falcons started with an advantage, boasting a fan base that easily outnumbered Edina's. Despite the smaller crowd, Thompson the Hornets did a great job keeping their energy up.
Chapek said the Armstrong fans were part of the fun.
“We’re working on our fan base, but I was glad they brought fans," she said. "It was fun, and it’s section playoffs and there should be lots of fans here cheering."
Edina advances to take on conference rival and No. 3 state-ranked Eden Prairie at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in a section semifinal at Eden Prairie High School.
“We’ve seen Eden Prairie twice," Chapek said. "So that helps in that sense and we know the level of play that’s going to be expected on Thursday out of us to compete with them.”
Thompson said her team is ready for the challenge.
“They’re a really good team and it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re going to give it our all and I think we can do it,” she said.
