MN high school volleyball state tournament

No. 2 Chatfield’s goal this season was to not let any match go to five sets.

The Golden Gophers hadn’t, until Friday.

No. 3 Hawley pushed them to five and dominated defensively to take the fifth set, winning 25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-10 in the Class 2A semifinals of the volleyball state tournament. After finishing third at state last season, the Nuggets (28-5) head to their first title game in their second trip to Xcel Energy Center.

After the match, Hawley junior middle blocker Annaka Johnson sighed and rested her head on the news conference table.

“That dance party got me,” she said.

For more on Johnson and the Nuggets' victory, click here to read the story on startribune.com.