Russell-Tyler-Ruthton defeats Mayer Lutheran in Class 1A volleyball title game

ST. PUAL, MINNESOTA — The No. 1-seed Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights (30-6) defeated the No. 2-seed Mayer Lutheran Crusaders (28-7) 25-13, 32-30, 17-25, 25-22 in the Class 1A state championship game on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

It's the first state title in the Knights' history.

The Knights trailed in the second set 18-23, but a Mayer Lutheran service error cut the to four, and the Knights pounced.

"It’s been a big key factor to work with them over the years to make sure that mentally, if you’re down, it’s not done until it’s 25," Russell-Tyler-Ruthton head coach Daynica Brown said.

The Crusaders got the set to 24-21, but the Knights went on a 3-0 run to tie the match at 24. The teams traded points until a Mayer Lutheran attack error and a kill by Dilyn Werkman gave the Knights a 2-0 lead in the match.

"They had their strongest rotation up, and we were not able to finish," Mayer Lutheran head coach Joelle Grimsley said.

Mayer Lutheran won the third set, but the Knights pulled away in the third set for the state championship.

"It was a mission," Brown said. "We kept saying, ‘We’re on a mission.’ They were not going to be satisfied without a title here."

The Knights had a difficult path to a state title. They had to defeat defending champion Minneota in the section final, and Mayer Lutheran was the runner-up one season ago.

"It allows us to be battle tested," Brown said. "It’s great for these girls to know that they can handle the pressure."