We have lots of guys who are new to sport who now get to experience the excitement of playing with a team.”

Woodbury High head boys volleyball coach Amandes Cordes

Boys volleyball is taking off in Minnesota—and that includes South Washington County. With the 2025 State Boys Volleyball Tournament held June 10 through June 12 at the University of St. Thomas after the sport was approved by the Minnesota State School Sport League in 2023, boys volleyball now offers area youth the chance to compete for state titles and have the same opportunities as students in other sports.

“It’s brought in a whole new group of students and given them a place to belong and shine,” Park head boys volleyball coach Robert Lozinski-McLean relates. Situated in the East Conference along with Woodbury and East Ridge, Park took home a 7-7-0 overall record for the season and 5-4-0 in conference. Park will need some new players next year, meanwhile, as six of its current players graduated June 10.

The sport focused on growth, boys varsity volleyball gives students a chance to experience excitement and playing with a team, as related by Woodbury High head boys volleyball coach Amandes Cordes.

“We have lots of guys who are new to sport who now get to experience the excitement of playing with a team,” Cordes shared, the Woodbury Royals finishing the season 3-15-0 overall, or 1-8-0 in conference.

East Ridge head coach Lau Yang shared on the sport’s potential.

“Now students can practice more often and get transportation to matches. It also makes the sport more accessible for families who couldn’t afford club fees.” East Ridge came away this year with a record of 10-9-0 overall and 7-2-0 in conference.

As with girls volleyball, matches for boys volleyball are played in sets, with six players allowed on the floor at any given time, three in front and three in back. Players may not hit the ball twice in succession, relying on teamwork to get the ball over the net and on the scoreboard. Sets are played to 25 points without a cap and the fifth and deciding set is played to 15 points, also with no cap. A match consists of the best of three sets, with fourth and fifth sets not played unless necessary to determine the winner of the match.

As for this year’s State Tournament, results saw Eden Prairie defeat No. 3 seed Rogers to claim the State Title 3-2 after starting the first two matches 2-0, Apple Valley’s Eastview taking third with a score of 3-1 while St. Paul Central was consolation bracket winner with 3-2.

Still in its growth phase statewide, next year’s State Tournament winner is still out.