Esko Falls in Section Final

Dwight Cadwell – NSO

Esko Falls to Rush City in Finals

Dwight Cadwell

For the third consecutive season the Rush Tigers ended the Esko girls’ volleyball season in the 7AA playoffs. Last year it was a late comeback by Esko to force a deciding fifth set for the Tigers and in 2021 the Tigers ended the Esko season in the section quarterfinals, this season it was a 3-0 win as the tigers advance back to the state girls volleyball tournament this week in St. Paul.

Esko was hoping to play in their fourth ever girls state tournament, their first since back-to-back appearances in 2010 & 2011. Rush City made its first appearance at the state tournament last year.
Rush City and Esko battled in the first set but in the end Rush City pulled away for a 25-18 victory in that first set. The second set the Tigers played from in from and went on to a 25-14 win.
With Esko trailing and hoping for a turnaround like a season ago, Rush City prevented that with outstanding play to defeat Esko 25-18 in the third and final set Saturday evening at Hermantown High School.

“They are a very good team with so many great players, we thought we had some chances, but we could not over come them.” Coach Pete Stasiuk said, “We had a plan to attack and try to play the ball when we had chances but just couldn’t get our job done.”
Esko tried to keep play away from Cora Sayotovich but in the end Sayotovich had too many great stretches of serves and outstanding back row play from the Minnesota Gopher recruit.

“We had a good season, and we are so proud of this team, the worked hard never quit,” Stasiuk added “we played a tough schedule and, on the season, all five of our losses came to state ranked teams, so we know we had a nice run the last two seasons.”
Esko finishes the season with a record of 24-5 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 28-2 and for the second straight season, they will face Annandale in the state quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon.