The Martin County West volleyball team is looking to close the Trimont era with a Section 2A Tournament victory over United South Central on Thursday night.
The 22-2 Mavericks play the final home match of the year against the 17-8 Rebels in the section quarterfinal round.
MCW is the #2 seed in the bracket and swept New Ulm Cathedral at home on Monday to begin the postseason. USC swept Sleepy Eye at home as the #7 seed that same night. The Mavericks got a two-set sweep during the Subway Classic at SMSU in 2016 for their most recent win over the Rebels. The teams have played twice in the postseason since then in 2021 and 2023 with USC winning both times.
The Rebels are seeking a fourth trip to State and first since 1996 with the 1993 A championship and 1992 runner-up in the trophy case.
MCW is looking to return to the State Tournament for the first time since 2014. They finished runner-up in Class A in 2010 during a stretch of four appearances in six years. First-year head coach Kari Brolsma played on the 1991 debut squad.
All former MCW volleyball players and coaches, plus anyone who played volleyball for Trimont, Sherburn and Welcome are invited to come out and watch the last ever varsity volleyball match to be played in this gym. Volleyball has been played in Trimont since 1977. Longtime coach Garla Anderson started patrolling the sidelines there in 1979. The Mavericks have played home varsity matches in Trimont since MCW formed in 1988. They will move into the new high school currently under construction in Sherburn next school year.
Our coverage from Trimont begins at 6:45 p.m. with the first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Xtreme.
FULL COACH INTERVIEW
Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s is the #3 seed hosting #6 seed Cedar Mountain. The 22-4-1 Knights host the 22-7 Cougars on Thursday after beating them in four sets at home on October 1. Neither program has ever made the State Tournament. The winner of that match plays the Mavericks if they advance.
Cleveland is the top seed and ranked fifth in Class A. The 28-2 Clippers host #8 seed Nicollet after sweeping the 14-11 Raiders at home on September 10. Cleveland is seeking a third trip to the State Tournament and first since 2006 with a Class A runner-up finish in 2003. Nicollet last made State in 1975.
BOLD is the #4 seed hosting #5 Mankato Loyola. The 16-12 Warriors host the 25-6 Crusaders after losing 2-1 in best-of-three tournament competition in Nicollet on October 3. BOLD is looking to debut at the State Tournament. Mankato Loyola made it once before in 1990.
The quarterfinal winners move on to Section 2A Tournament semifinal action at St. Peter High School starting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2. The section championship match is Thursday, November 5, at 6:00 p.m. inside St. Peter High School.