The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Board of Directors met last week and one of the decisions made was that the inaugural Boys Volleyball State Tournament will take place at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. In what marks a significant milestone for Minnesota high school sports, the Boys Volleyball teams will be gearing up for their first season as an officially sanctioned sport by the MSHSL this spring. With 94 teams registered to participate, the sport is poised for a historic debut.

Boys Volleyball’s Rapid Growth in MN

Back in December of 2022, Boys Volleyball was just starting to get noticed as an up-and-coming sport. Then, in May 2023, after a vote by the big wigs at MSHSL, it officially became a sanctioned sport. With the help of the Minnesota Boys High School Volleyball Association, or MBHSVA for short, the sport really took off. It went from just 22 schools playing in 2018 to a whopping 81 schools and 2,381 athletes by the end of 2024.

The Venue of Choice: University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas was selected as the host for the state tournament after a careful review of potential venues. Lisa Quednow, MSHSL Associate Director overseeing volleyball, highlighted the venue’s significance:

“The League’s Boys Volleyball State Tournament deserves a venue that reflects the growing stature and excitement of the sport. The University of St. Thomas offers a supportive athletic program with high-quality facilities in a location fitting to host a successful state tournament.”

It’s happening June 10-12, and it won’t only be about crowning the first ever Boys Volleyball State Champion in MN under the MSHSL; it’ll set the tone for the future of Boys Volleyball state tournaments. It’s a testament to the folks who put in the work to make it a legitimate sport in MN. I for one am excited to capture some of these match ups and follow the sport from its start this spring!