Stewartville outlasts Cretin-Derham Hall again, advances to state semifinals

ST. PAUL — Stewartville is no stranger to Cretin-Derham Hall. For three straight years, the schools have met in the Class 3A girls volleyball state tournament, the Tigers prevailing each time. In 2024, they faced off in the state quarterfinals and the Tigers won in four sets. They played again in the Class 3A third-place game last year. That time, Stewartville found victory in five sets. Wednesday’s match — this one in the state Class 3A quarterfinals — combined factors from both previous meetings with Stewartville winning a five-set marathon 25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 15-12 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. The No. 5-seeded and No. 8-ranked Tigers advance to the state semifinals Friday for the third consecutive year. The Tigers are at state for the third straight season and the 27th time overall. Cretin-Derham Hall (25-8) was the No. 4 seed and ranked fifth in the state. “Crazy game,” Stewartville third-year head coach Sammy Pedersen said.

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