Bethlehem Academy Sweeps Hayfield for Subsection Title

Faribault Bethlehem Academy volleyball won the West Subsection trophy Thursday at Mayo Civic Center over Hayfield. Saturday the Cardinals battle Mabel-Canton for the Section 1A crown.

The No. 1-ranked Cardinals raced to a 13-5 lead in the opening set. BA extended the lead to 22-11. The Vikings went on a 7-1 run, but BA closed it out 25-18. Hayfield's momentum carried into the second set where they took an 11-6 lead. After a Bethlehem timeout, the Cards went on an 8-1 run and didn't trail again. BA won 25-19.

The third set was back and forth through an 8-8 tie. BA went on a 10-2 run and won the set 25-18.

Junior Payton Nutter led BA with 18 kills. Senior Madi Strodtman had nine. Sophomore Mary Campbell added eight.

It was the fourth straight season that Bethlehem Academy eliminated Hayfield from the playoffs.

BA (22-7) faces Mabel-Canton (35-2) in the Section 1A title match Saturday at 1PM at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Radio coverage begins at 12:45PM on KDHL AM 920.

Since 2002, Bethlehem Academy has won the section title 11 times and gone on to win the state championship in seven of those season. Bethlehem Academy has won three of the last four state titles. BA beat Filmore Central in the 2014 Section 1A final.

In Section 2A, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown won the South Subsection on Thursday night 3-1 over St. Clair. The Buccaneers meet Mayer-Lutheran Saturday at 6PM at Minnesota State University, Mankato on KDHL AM 920.

Section 2AA is a rematch of the past two years, with Kenyon-Wanamingo squaring off with No. 1-ranked Belle Plaine. The match begins at about 7:45PM at MSU and will also be carried on KDHL radio. KW swept NRHEG Thursday night for the South Subsection title.

The Section 1AA final pits Stewartville against Red Wing at 11AM Saturday at Mayo Civic Center. The 1AAA final features Lakeville South and Rochester Mayo at 3PM at Mayo Civic.