Fillmore Central volleyball team plays for each other, coach in state semifinal heartbreaker

ST. PAUL — During the postgame press conference, Fillmore Central head coach Travis Malley was visibly emotional while talking about his players. Malley, who took over as the Falcons’ head coach in 2014, has been present for all four of the volleyball program’s state berths. He served as an assistant coach when the Falcons finished as Class 1A state runners-up in 2013 and as head coach during their state tournament streak over the past three seasons. The bond his players share with him and with each other was evident despite a heartbreaking loss in the Class 1A state semifinals on Friday afternoon at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. “I just love how much he cares for us,” junior setter Hannah Vaalemoen said. “There's not a single person on the team that he wouldn't do anything for. If you ask him to do something, he will always say yes. It’s such a privilege to have him care for us, and it's not even like a coach. He's like a dad to us. … I'll go to Travis for anything.” The No.

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