2026 State Girls Volleyball Tourney Central

The air in St. Paul will crackle with anticipation this November as the state’s top girls volleyball teams converge on Grand Casino Arena for the 2026 Minnesota State Tournament. The tournament, featuring four classes – AAAA, AAA, AA, and A – promises a showcase of exceptional athleticism and fierce competition, all streamed live on NSPN.TV. This year’s event will feature teams from four classes, including AAAA, AAA, AA, and A. It’s a time to witness not just athletic prowess, but also the embodiment of teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence—values that resonate far beyond the boundaries of the Grand Casino Arena.

Tournament Schedule and Brackets

The tournament schedule is as follows: Class AAAA quarterfinal matches begin Wednesday, November 11th, followed by semifinals on Thursday, November 12th, and the championship match on Saturday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. Class AAA action commences with quarterfinals on Wednesday, November 11th, with semifinals on Friday, November 13th and the championship match scheduled for Saturday, November 14th at 5:30 p.m. Class AA and Class A tournaments follow a similar structure, with quarterfinal and semifinal rounds leading up to championship matches on Saturday, November 14th at 3:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. The tournament brackets have been finalized, with Lakeville South and Eagan leading the AAAA class. In the AAA class, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Marshall are among the top teams vying for the championship. Class AA and A brackets are equally competitive, with teams like New Life Academy and Minneota showing strong form throughout the season. Detailed brackets, outlining matchups and court assignments, are readily available online for those wishing to follow the competition closely. Minnesota Sports offers a comprehensive overview of the tournament.

Class AAAA: A Battle of Titans

In the Class AAAA bracket, Lakeville South enters as the top-seeded team, having demonstrated consistent dominance throughout the season. They will face a formidable challenge from Alexandria Area in the quarterfinals. Apple Valley, seeded fourth, will contend with Roseville, while Eagan (seeded second) will battle Blaine (seeded seventh). Champlin Park (seeded third) faces a tougher test against Chanhassen (seeded sixth).

Class AAA: A Competitive Field

The Class AAA tournament features a closely contested field. Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the top seed, will face Hill-Murray in the quarterfinals, while Cretin-Derham Hall (seeded fourth) takes on Stewartville (seeded fifth). Princeton (seeded third) will challenge Sauk Rapids-Rice (seeded sixth), and Marshall (seeded second) will face Totino-Grace (seeded seventh). The semifinal round promises to be equally competitive, with the quarterfinal victors vying for a spot in the championship match.

All-Minnesota Standouts Shine

The tournament’s significance extends beyond the teams themselves; it showcases the exceptional talent of individual players across the state. The recent release of the Strib Varsity All-Minnesota girls volleyball team highlights several players who will be competing for championships. Among those recognized is Kaelyn Bjorklund of Lakeville South, named the 2026 All-Minnesota Girls Volleyball Player of the Year. Her leadership and skill will be crucial as her team aims for a title. Several standout players have been recognized for their exceptional performance this season. Josie Anderson from Sauk Rapids-Rice, Avery Beckering from Southwest Christian, and Cora Bicknese of Chatfield are among the honorees. Other notable players include Leah Biyadglign of Roseville, Lauren Bunge of East Ridge, Clara Christ of Chaska, Ryah Cotton of Prior Lake, Sophia Cowan of Apple Valley, Ellery DeBoer of Willmar, Sydney Friedly of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, and Kaydence Fjerstad of Byron. Mesa Jameson from Eagan and Avery Minor from Benilde-St. Margaret's are also recognized for their exceptional skills. The complete list also includes Taylor Peterson of Lakeville North, Kezlyn Pinckney of Marshall, Ellie Osowski of Wayzata, Melia Sathoff of Cleveland, Ryleigh Schelhaas of New Life Academy, Isabell Scheuch of Howard-Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Kacie Schulte of Maple Grove, Abigail Telander of Rush City, Elleora Utecht of Lakeville South.

Recognizing Excellence: The All-Minnesota Team

The Strib Varsity All-Minnesota team includes a diverse range of players, each recognized for their contributions to their respective teams. Josie Anderson (Sauk Rapids-Rice) led her team with 347 kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Avery Beckering (Southwest Christian) had a breakout 2025 state tournament and recorded a team-best 343 kills this season, including a 27-kill, 20-dig match vs. Delano and 33 kills vs. Jordan. Cora Bicknese (Chatfield) is considered the top libero in the state, ranking among the top ten in kills and digs. Her match highs: 27 kills and 41 digs. Leah Biyadglign (Roseville) surpassed career milestones of 1,000 digs and 1,000 assists this year. Kaelyn Bjorklund (Lakeville South) broke the Cougars’ all-time assist record this year. Lauren Bunge (East Ridge) returned from injury to lead the Raptors to state last year. Clara Christ (Chaska) excels defensively and in the serve/receive game. She posted a season-high 30 digs vs. Lakeville North. Ryah Cotton (Prior Lake) is known for her tough serves and top passing skills. Sophia Cowan (Apple Valley) will finish her career as Apple Valley’s all-time leader with more than 1,300 kills and 1,000 digs. Ellery DeBoer (Willmar) surpassed 3,500 career assists this year. Sydney Friedly (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) runs one of the state’s top offenses and had 10 matches with at least 30 assists. Kaydence Fjerstad (Byron) overpowered defenses with more than 400 kills in the regular season. Mesa Jameson (Eagan) recorded 450 kills in the regular season. Avery Minor (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) can be a six-rotation player and a menace defensively. Taylor Peterson (Lakeville North) reached the 1,000-dig career mark this year. Kezlyn Pinckney (Marshall) is the only returning all-tournament player from Marshall’s Class 3A title team last year. Ellie Osowski (Wayzata) brought versatility as a six-rotation outside hitter. Melia Sathoff (Cleveland) ranks among the top five kill leaders in the state this season. Ryleigh Schelhaas (New Life Academy) led the Eagles to third place in Class 2A last year. Isabell Scheuch (Howard-Lake-Waverly-Winsted) is an intimidating presence at the net defensively and also delivers as the team’s leading hitter. Kacie Schulte (Maple Grove) broke her own program single-match record with 31 kills this season vs. Roseville. Abigail Telander (Rush City) reached the 1,000-kill mark for her career this year. Elleora Utecht (Lakeville South) is an all-tournament selection in Class 4A title runs in 2024 and 2025. The Star Tribune provides detailed profiles and statistics for each player.

Katherine's Take

The 2026 State Girls Volleyball Tournament is more than just a sporting event; it’s a celebration of the dedication and hard work of young athletes. As Editor-in-Chief of Gopher Current, I am proud to see such strong representation from St. Paul and the surrounding communities. These girls are not only striving for personal excellence but also setting an example for their peers and younger generations.

Impact on the Community

The state volleyball tournament is more than just a sporting event; it’s a significant economic driver for St. Paul. The influx of teams, families, and fans generates revenue for local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to shops and transportation services. Beyond the economic impact, the tournament provides a source of pride and unity for the community. Residents can witness firsthand the talent and determination of Minnesota’s young athletes, fostering a sense of shared accomplishment. The presence of players from local schools like Cretin-Derham Hall and Benilde-St. Margaret’s further strengthens the connection between the tournament and the community. The City of St. Paul anticipates a substantial boost in tourism and local spending during the tournament week.

Resources and Further Information

For those wishing to follow the tournament, a wealth of information is available online. NSPN.TV will provide live streaming of all matches, allowing fans from across the state to witness the action. The Minnesota State High School League website (mshsl.org) offers updated brackets, schedules, and results. The Star Tribune (The Star Tribune) will provide comprehensive coverage, including player profiles and game analysis. For those seeking accommodations or information about St. Paul, the city’s official website (stpaul.gov) is a valuable resource.

Looking Ahead

As the 2026 state girls volleyball tournament unfolds, the focus remains on celebrating the achievements of these exceptional athletes and the communities that have supported them. The tournament serves as a reminder of the power of sport to unite us, inspire us, and instill valuable life lessons. The success of these athletes underscores the value of prioritizing education and athletics—a balanced approach that cultivates both intellectual and physical growth.

The news of the tournament’s schedule and key players has generated excitement among volleyball fans in St. Paul and beyond. Local schools and teams are preparing for the intense competition, with coaches and players alike looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents.

The 2026 State Girls Volleyball Tournament is set to kick off at Grand Casino Arena, with all matches taking place from November 11 to 14. This year’s event will feature teams from four classes – AAAA, AAA, AA, and A. Live streaming will be available on NSPN.TV, making it easier for fans to follow the games from home.