After losing the first set of Saturday’s Class 3A, Section 6 title game to top-seeded Minneapolis Washburn by four points, second-seeded Hopkins did what its done all season. 

It battled back. 

The Royals won the next three sets to wrap up a 21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17 victory over the Millers at St. Louis Park High School and earn their first trip to the Class 3A state tournament in nearly a decade. 

Injuries to several key players hampered Hopkins (17-13) this season, but coach Vicki Swenson said the Royals simply moved forward. 

“You don’t have a choice,” Swenson said of her team’s ability to overcome the obstacles. “You have to play the hand you’re dealt, and our girls never lost sight of what the goal was at the end."

One of those injured during the regular season was junior outside hitter Jasmyn Martin, a 2014 All-State Honorable Mention selection who finished with 23 kills against Minneapolis Washburn. 

Swenson said her team usually looks to Martin for production and leadership on the floor. 

“Of course we like to rely on a player like (Jazz) Martin,” Swenson said. “You could tell that last week of practice that she’s ready to just take over a match, and she did that today.”

Martin's performance was the turning point for Hopkins on Saturday as she launched spikes with a calculated ferocity that proved to be too much for the Millers. 

“She elevated everyone’s play,” Swenson said. 

Martin said she tries to shoulder some of the leadership role for the Royals, adding that playing a pivotal role in helping secure a state tournament trip means more due to the adversity Hopkins has faced. 

“The world, I guess,” Martin said with a laugh in describing what advancing to state meant. 

“We haven’t been there since 2007, so to (go back) is amazing.”

Minneapolis Washburn coach Mark Nelson said he was pleased with his team’s calm and upbeat temperament in the section championship. 

“We’re not an up-and-down team,” Nelson said. “We’re a team that tries to stay loose and stay aggressive the whole time.”

Nelson said the layout of the St. Louis Park gym provided the Millers (29-1) with some challenges during the match, including a low ceiling that stole several volley attempts from both teams. 

“We played hard the whole time,” Nelson said. “A couple of things didn’t go our way.”

Junior outside hitter Jasmyn Martin had 23 kills to lead No. 2 seed Hopkins to a four-set victory over No. 1 seed Minneapolis Washburn in the Class 3A, Section 6 championship Saturday afternoon at St. Louis Park High School. 

After the Millers (29-1) took the first set 25-21, the Royals stormed back to take the next three sets 25-21, 25-19, 25-17 and punch their ticket to the Class 3A state tournament. 

Junior outside hitter Greta Warner added 12 kills for Hopkins (17-13), which secured its first trip to state since 2007. 

Spotlight Game Coverage