Tia Dille-Starks and Wayzata received a little extra motivation from an unlikely source minutes before the Trojans entered their Class 3A, Section 6 semifinal match with Hopkins.

Wayzata watched Eden Prairie wrap up a spot in the section championship with a victory over Minnetonka in the night’s first semifinal, and the possibility of a rematch with their Lake Conference rival in the section championship provided the third-seeded Trojans with the added desire they needed to upset the second-seeded Royals 28-26, 25-20, 25-17 on Tuesday at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School.

“Yeah, it definitely pumped us up a little bit because Eden Prairie is one of our rivals,” Dille-Starks said. “We want to play them again this year and see if we can finally get the win over them, so that was motivation.”

The Trojans, who are ranked No. 10 in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s final Class 3A poll for the season, are 0-2 against the Eagles, ranked No. 3, this season. Wayzata lost to Eden Prairie 3-0 on Sept. 11 and 3-1 on Sept. 30.

The Trojans get a third meeting with the Eagles thanks to Dille-Starks, whose energy and offense proved to be problematic for the Royals. 

Dille-Stark totaled 11 kills with many of her shots falling perfectly on the line. She also had three aces and a solo block.

Senior outside hitter Audrey Erickson helped Hopkins stay with Wayzata. The outside hitter finished with eight kills and an ace. 

Sophomore outside hitter Jasmyn Martin had seven kills but struggled with her serve, making three errors for the Royals, who are ranked No. 5 in the final poll.

The Trojans kept their lead in the third set behind the play of middle hitters Sabrina Leuer and Morgan Baufield. Leuer, a senior, recorded three kills, while Baufield, a sophomore, came up with two blocks.

Wayzata needed an increased effort in the final set due to Hopkins’ high level of play, Trojans’ coach Scott Jackson said. The Royals are a dangerous team and Wayzata could not afford a lapse in its play, he added.

“They’re a very good team,” Jackson said. 

Hopkins’ senior setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson, who some call the best player in the state, finished with 33 assists and three block assists in her final high school match.

Wayzata plays top-seeded Eden Prairie for the section title at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School.   

“We know these guys well, they know us well,” Jackson said. “I think it’s going to be who plays great that night, and we’ll see what we’re ready to do.”

dig

Hopkins senior Audrey Erickson just misses on her dig attempt. Photo by Mark Hvidsten

First Report

Senior outside hitter Tia Dille-Starks had 11 kills and three aces to help third-seeded Wayzata upset second-seeded Hopkins 28-26, 25-20, 25-17 in a Class 3A, Section 6 semifinal match Tuesday at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School.

Sophomore outside hitter Kate Berg finished with 21 kills for the Trojans, who are ranked No. 10 in the season's final Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A poll. 

Hopkins almost pulled off a first set victory behind Audrey Erickson's offense. The senior outside hitter finished with eight kills and a block assist.

Senior setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson finished the night with 33 assists and three block assists for the Royals, who are ranked No. 5 in the poll.

Senior middle hitter Sabrina Leuer helped maintain the Trojans' lead in the third set with four kills, two block assists and one solo block.

Wayzata faces Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 for the section title. The championship match is at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School.

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