The Apple Valley Eagles delivered a stunning upset against the second-seeded East Ridge Raptors during the Class 4A quarterfinals held in St. Paul. After entering the postseason with a shaky record, Apple Valley’s remarkable performance resulted in a five-set victory on Wednesday, with the final scores of 25-23, 21-25, 25-27, 25-10, and 15-9.
Despite struggling through the latter part of the regular season, finishing with a record of 19-9, the Eagles showcased a resilient spirit. Junior outside hitter Sophia Cowan led the charge, delivering an impressive 26 kills throughout the match, including the decisive shot that clinched the victory. Cowan emphasized the importance of teamwork over personal performance, stating, “You’re focused on your team and what can I do for my team.”
After a difficult closing stretch to the season, where the Eagles lost seven of their last eleven matches, they still managed to qualify for the state tournament as the seventh seed. Coaches noted that teams ranked second to seventh were closely matched, making the competition particularly unpredictable.
Apple Valley’s coach, Hannah Specktor, highlighted the team’s need for calmness in high-pressure moments. “When we’re a little bit more calm and steady, we’re controlled and make good decisions,” she explained. This message resonated with the team as they faced East Ridge, who had entered the match with a record of 22-8 and had been on a winning streak.
The match unfolded dramatically. Apple Valley took the first set, but East Ridge responded, winning the second and third sets, the latter in a comeback that saw them rally from a 23-21 deficit to win 27-25. At that point, it appeared East Ridge had seized control of the match. However, the Eagles demonstrated their tenacity by dominating the fourth set 25-10, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Apple Valley maintained their momentum, finishing strong to secure the upset. Ginny Gores also contributed significantly with 17 kills, demonstrating the Eagles’ balanced offensive strategy. The team’s prior success against East Ridge, winning 2-1 in the Eagle Invitational earlier in September, provided a confidence boost that proved vital during this high-stakes encounter.
East Ridge’s coach, Steve Anderson, acknowledged Apple Valley’s superior execution, stating, “They were the more confident team, the more aggressive team and we got rattled.” The Raptors had themselves pulled off a comeback in their section final to reach this stage, but on this occasion, they were unable to replicate that success.
Looking ahead, Apple Valley is set to face third-seeded Prior Lake in the semifinals at 11:00 on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The Eagles will aim to overcome Prior Lake, who previously swept them earlier in the season on October 9. With their current momentum, Apple Valley enters the match with a renewed sense of belief and determination.
