Sponsored By
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
With just two local athletes selected to All-State teams across all four classes in Minnesota and another picking up an honorable mention nod in Wisconsin, it would be easy to overlook 2025’s volleyball season.
Sure, only two local teams advanced to the state tournament and one — Grand Rapids — did it for the fourth time in five years, but there were tons of major accomplishments.
ADVERTISEMENT
The other team that went to state — Esko — hadn’t won its section since 2011 and did so in dramatic fashion, a five-set win over reigning Section 7AA champions Rush City.
When Duluth East beat Blaine in the Section 7AAAA quarterfinal, it was the Greyhounds’ first postseason win since 2012. More significantly, East brings back a talented core with an impressive line up of heavy hitters, led by junior Harlow Hartwick, who picked up her second All-Area nod. She’s joined by junior setter Chelsea Zentz and the Greyhounds could be set up to contend for their first section title in more than 30 years.
Greenway’s Ava Johnson passed 1,000 kills and digs in her career this season and Esko’s Maya Johnson was named Pine Journal All-Area Player of the Year for 2025 after leading her team to the Class AA tournament.
Shelby Hessel was an All-State honorable mention in Wisconsin and the Thunderhawks’ Lainie Barrick scored a Class AAA All-State nod in Minnesota.
The All-Area Player of the Year, however, came from one of the most overlooked schools of all. Kenzie Kiminski of tiny Floodwood — high school enrollment 45 — was the area’s other All-State selection in Minnesota. Going up against schools sometimes double and even triple their size, Kiminski led the Polar Bears to three section title games in four years.
She finished her career with more than 1,800 kills and 1,400 digs and will continue her career next year at Minnesota Duluth.
Northwestern
Senior outside hitter
ADVERTISEMENT
Duluth East
Junior right side
Grand Rapids
Senior middle hitter
Esko
Junior setter
Floodwood
Senior middle hitter
ADVERTISEMENT
Proctor
Junior outside hitter
Grand Rapids
Senior outside hitter
Duluth East
Junior setter
Cloquet
Junior outside hitter
Superior
Junior outside hitter
Greenway
Senior outside hitter
ADVERTISEMENT
Esko
Freshman outside hitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
