CROOKSTON, Minn. — East Grand Forks Sacred Heart head coach Emily Vonasek placed a medal around the neck of each of her players Friday night.
As each senior came up to accept it, a different story came with them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Those nine seniors registered a role on a team that is now Section 8A champions and will make the program's first appearance in the Minnesota State High School League state tournament.
“They know what they bring to this team and every one of them has so much value," Vonasek said. "I just pointed that out when I gave them their medals. With each one I just outlined their role and what made them so special.”
With a 3-0 sweep of Fertile-Beltrami, the Eagles were in control all night. An array of players came onto the court at the University of Minnesota-Crookston and made an impact in some way.
Their efforts were rewarded with a trip to the Class A state tournament at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, marking Sacred Heart's first appearance in the tournament in the modern era. It will do so with all the confidence it can ask for after claiming sets of 25-18, 25-15 and 25-10 against the Falcons.
“You can’t play on a team of six, you need them all," Vonasek said. "W...