Lakeville South Is Going Back To The Ship

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area   The energy inside Grand Casino Arena today is unreal—Minnesota volleyball at its finest. The stage is electric, the crowd is loud, and the Cougars of [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] are locked in. When the final point drops, it's official: [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] is heading to the 4A State Championship after a convincing sweep over Roseville Area, 25-13, 25-19, 25-22.   From the opening serve, the Cougars seize control and never let go. Their rhythm is sharp, their defense airtight, and their offensive balance unmatched. This is what championship-level volleyball looks like—disciplined, aggressive, and confident under pressure.   [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] comes out firing. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='453085' first='Kaelyn' last='Bjorklund'] immediately establishes the Cougars' fast-paced tempo, spreading the offense and keeping Roseville's blockers scrambling. Her connection with hitters [player_tooltip player_id='807920' first='Elleora' last='Utecht'] and Romi Chlebeck is flawless—each finishing with 12 kills in the match—and both set the tone early with high-powered swings from the pins.   The Cougars' defense backs them up at every turn. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='808351' first='Amanda' last='Cullen'] anchors the back row, reading hitters perfectly and popping up digs that seem destined for the floor. Cullen finishes with 20 digs on the day, matching Bjorklund's 20, as both refuse to let anything touch the court uncontested.   Roseville tries to generate momentum behind [player_tooltip player_id='837677' first='Sam' last='Bloomquist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='733249' first='Sophia' last='Gholson-Johnson'], who each find a few clean looks at the net. Bloomquist notches five kills in the match, with Gholson-Johnson adding three. But [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']'s blocking is dialed in, shutting down crosscourt lanes and funneling attacks right into the waiting hands of their defenders. The Cougars roll through the opener, 25-13, leaving no doubt who's in control.   The Raiders regroup in the second, determined not to go quietly. Their serve pressure improves, and their ball control steadies behind Bloomquist, who adds to her all-around performance with a team-high 12 digs. [player_tooltip player_id='461750' first='Leah' last='Biyadglign'] (9 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='891433' first='Whitney' last='Walen'] (8 assists) do their best to create offensive rhythm, mixing in quicks and back-row sets to keep the Cougars honest.   But [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] continues to play with composure. Bjorklund, who racks up 26 assists in the match, runs her offense like a seasoned pro—disguising her sets, running slides, and keeping both pins active. When Roseville closes within three midway through the set, Utecht answers with back-to-back kills, showing both power and precision. Moments later, Chlebeck follows with a sharp angle swing that lands just inside the line, pumping up the Cougar bench.   Cullen remains the heart of the defense, tracking every tip and off-speed shot the Raiders throw at her. She and Bjorklund dig ball after ball, turning defense into instant offense. The Cougars pull away late to win the second, 25-19, and move one set away from the championship match.   If the first two sets belonged to [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']'s balance, the third belongs to their grit. Roseville refuses to fold, clawing their way through long rallies and matching the Cougars point-for-point. Bloomquist and Gholson-Johnson each swing aggressively from the pin, while Biyadglign and Walen keep the offense fluid. Their energy keeps the Raiders alive, and their defense—anchored by Bloomquist in the back row—forces the Cougars to earn every kill.   But [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] thrives in these moments. Bjorklund's setting continues to shine, especially in transition, as she feeds Utecht and Chlebeck with perfectly placed balls. Utecht finds the seam in the block to tie it at 20, and moments later, Chlebeck goes line for another momentum-shifting point. Their combined 24 kills prove too much for the Raiders to handle.   Cullen continues to elevate her defensive play, chasing down shanked passes and diving for balls that seem out of reach. Every dig fuels the Cougars' confidence, and the student section grows louder with every save. At 24-22, Bjorklund sends a quick to Utecht, who blasts it off the block and out of bounds—match point, [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']. The bench storms the floor as the Cougars seal the sweep and punch their ticket to Saturday's 4A State Championship.   Every part of [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']'s game clicks today. Bjorklund's 26 assists and 20 digs show just how complete her performance is—setting the tone for both offense and defense. Utecht and Chlebeck combine for 24 kills, showing balance on both sides of the net. Cullen's 20 digs keep rallies alive, turning defense into momentum. And the Cougars' serve receive—steady and disciplined—never allows Roseville to go on long scoring runs.   This is a team built for big moments. The chemistry between Bjorklund and her hitters is undeniable, and their ability to stay composed under pressure separates them from the rest. Every point feels intentional—every swing, every dig, every celebration feeding into something bigger. The Cougars are locked in, and their performance today leaves no doubt that they're championship-ready.   For Roseville Area, today marks the end of an impressive postseason run. The Raiders play with grit and determination, refusing to back down even when the momentum tilts against them. Bloomquist's 12 digs and five kills lead the way, while Gholson-Johnson adds three kills and steady front-row presence. Biyadglign and Walen combine for 17 assists, showing composure in the face of a relentless Cougar defense. Their season may end here, but they walk away as one of the top teams in Minnesota's 4A field—a group that battles to the final whistle.   Now, all eyes turn to the title match. [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']'s sweep sends a clear message to the rest of the state—they're peaking at the perfect time. Their depth, defense, and disciplined attack make them a nightmare matchup for anyone left standing.   As the Cougars celebrate on the Grand Casino Arena floor, the moment feels fitting. They've earned it through consistency, teamwork, and trust in their system. Utecht and Chlebeck power the attack, Bjorklund commands the floor, and Cullen anchors the back row. It's the complete package—and the kind of volleyball that defines Minnesota state tournament magic.   [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] is heading to the ship. And after today's performance, you get the feeling they're not done yet. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_e42f4e.png" alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image_e42f4e.png" style="width:88px;height:auto" /></figure>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2025 Prep Dig Exposure Tour is officially LIVE!</a>   We're hitting 20+ cities across the country this winter to give athletes a platform to compete, get seen, level up and get on coaches radar.   I'll personally be at Bloomington on Dec. 14 for all interested 2026-2029 prospects following the 2025 fall season. <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2026/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-minnesota-session-1">Click here to register for 2028-2029</a> or <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2027/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-minnesota-session-2">click here to register for 2026-2027</a> and use promo code “HICKMANPD25” to get $10 off your registration.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you to all my readers for making this journey possible. My goal has always been simple—to shine a light on athletes at every level, from Division I to NAIA, and give them a platform to keep chasing their love for the game. Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a> With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</h2>   This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman   Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas

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