Though Wayzata was playing its most important match of the season, it still could jam along to some music.

Waiting for the second set to start, the players for the Trojans were singing along as Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” blared inside the gym at Osseo High School.
That singing was just one example of Wayzata keeping calm and just rolling along. The Trojans topped Champlin Park in straight sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-12 to capture the Class 4A, Section 5 championship Wednesday. 

Wayzata’s unbeaten streak reached 51 on Wednesday. Besides extending the streak, it was big for the Trojans because it gave Wayzata the Class 4A, Section 5 championship. The Trojans needed just three sets to defeat second-seeded Champlin Park, winning 25-19, 25-17, 25-12 at Osseo High School.

Wayzata (31-0) controlled nearly the entire match, trailing just a smattering of times Wednesday. After Champlin Park erased an early Trojan lead in the first set, Wayzata rolled along with its stable of talented hitters. Senior middle hitter Emma Goerger led her team with 10 kills. Senior middle Mel Goldstein finished with nine while sophomore outside hitter Avery Jesewitz finished with six. 

The facilitator of the offensive success was Trojan sophomore setter Stella Swenson. She dished out 29 assists in the win for Wayzata, which won the class 3A state championship in 2019.

The Rebels, the champions in 2018, pushed unbeaten Wayzata but did not have enough to pull off the upset. Freshman middle blocker Carly Gilk and junior outside hitter Marlie Hanson led the young Champlin Park squad offensively with 10 and seven kills, respectively.

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Though Wayzata was playing its most important match of the season, it still could jam along to some music.

Waiting for the second set to start, the players for the Trojans were singing along as Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” blared inside the gym at Osseo High School.
That singing was just one example of Wayzata keeping calm and just rolling along. The Trojans topped Champlin Park in straight sets 25-19, 25-17, 25-12 to capture the Class 4A, Section 5 championship Wednesday. 

Part of that demeanor for unbeaten Wayzata (31-0) comes from the team being the target of just about every team it plays. The Trojans won their 51st consecutive match against the Rebels, going back to last season, and are ranked No. 1 in their class in the coaches’ association poll. They won the Class 3A state championship in 2019. This marks the first year of the four-class format.

“To have teams coming in really wanting to beat us makes us want it even more,” Wayzata sophomore setter Stella Swenson said. “We get to go out there and play hard and be ourselves.”

Wayzata kept Champlin Park at bay with a combination of a young setter surrounded by a bevy of veteran hitters. Swenson finished the match with 29 assists.

“I remember thinking when we worked with her for the first time last year that this kid was different,” Trojans coach Scott Jackson said. “She’s the whole package. It’s impressive.”

The one combination that seemed to be especially working for Wayzata was Swenson and senior middle hitter Emma Goerger, who finished with 10 kills. Senior middle Mel Goldstein finished with nine kills while sophomore outside hitter Avery Jesewitz had six.

“We talked a lot about that play in practice,” Swenson said. “To see it implemented in the game meant our hard work really paid off.”

While the Trojans had experience up front, Champlin Park’s upset attempt was fueled by youth. Freshman middle blocker Carly Gilk led the Rebels with 10 kills while junior outside hitter Marlie Hanson added seven.

“It’s encouraging for us,” said Rebels coach John Yunker, whose team won the Class 3A state championship in 2018. “It’s more kids with this unique experience. They can help out those who haven’t seen it yet.”