Lakers finish as state runner-up, matching best program finish

The Prior Lake girls’ volleyball team wrapped up its remarkable 2025 season with a runner-up finish at the Class 4A State Tournament, matching the program’s best result from 2015. 

The Lakers, seeded third, advanced to the Saturday championship match at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul after a dominant postseason run that showcased the balance, depth and grit that defined their season. The runner-up finish capped one of the finest seasons in Prior Lake volleyball history, equaling the Lakers’ 2015 state runner-up result and reaffirming the program’s status among Minnesota’s elite.

“I’m really proud of how this team came together this season and really embraced being a team,” said head coach Mike Dean. “The trust they built allowed them to play free and relaxed even in stressful situations. That type of team vibe allowed them to find success as we worked our way through the section and state tournaments. It was great to see them play at such a high level this season for each other.”

Prior Lake opened the tournament on Nov. 5 against sixth-seeded Centennial, led by Minnesota Ms. Baden Player of the Year Elena Hoecke. 

The Lakers controlled the match from start to finish, sweeping the Cougars 3–0 (25–23, 26–24, 25–14). After rallying from behind in the first set and surviving a tense second, Prior Lake cruised in the third to secure the sweep. 

Dylan Raveling paced the Lakers with 12 kills, followed closely by Olivia Arlt (11) and Addison Barbo (10). Setters Ryah Cotton (19 assists) and Katie Westerholm (15) shared setting duties, while libero Sidney Burley anchored the defense with 23 digs. The Lakers’ defense held Hoecke to just 10 kills — one of her lowest totals of the season.

In the Nov. 6 semifinal, Prior Lake faced seventh-seeded Apple Valley, who upset No. 2 East Ridge in the quarterfinals. 

After dropping the first set 25–14 to an Apple Valley squad led by All-State hitter Sophia Cowan (10 kills in the opening frame), the Lakers regrouped and took control. They won the next three sets 25–22, 26–24 and 25–14 to advance to the championship. 

Raveling again led the way with 17 kills while Barbo added 16. Westerholm and Cotton combined for 41 assists, Burley recorded 22 digs and Izzy Hawkins sparked several key runs from the service line with four aces.

Saturday night’s championship match against the defending champion and top-seeded Lakeville South Cougars was played in front of a large contingent of Laker fans. The Prior Lake student section filled the arena well before the match started. 

After an extended delay due to earlier matches running long, Lakeville South — led by three All-State players — took control early and never let up, defeating the Lakers 3–0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) to claim the state title. 

Lakeville South’s Romi Chlebecek (17 kills, University of Denver commit), Elleora Utecht (16 kills, Lipscomb University commit) and Clemson-bound setter Kaelyn Bjorklund (39 assists) led the charge. 

Raveling tallied eight kills to lead the Lakers offensively while Burley collected 18 digs. 

Cotton (10 assists) and Westerholm (11 assists) guided the attack as Prior Lake secured a second-place finish in the state.

Following the championship match, Burley, Barbo and Raveling were named to the Class 4A All-Tournament Team — a fitting recognition for the trio’s standout performances throughout the postseason.

The Lakers’ success was also reflected in a long list of postseason awards recognizing both athletic and academic excellence:

All-State & Ms. Baden Finalist: Senior Sidney Burley

All-Tournament Team: Senior Addison Barbo, Senior Sidney Burley, Senior Dylan Raveling

All-Conference: Senior Sidney Burley, Junior Ryah Cotton, Senior Dylan Raveling

All-Conference Honorable Mention: Freshman Olivia Arlt, Sophomore Brielle Gunderson

Team MVP: Senior Sidney Burley

Best Offensive Player: Senior Dylan Raveling

Best Defensive Player: Sophomore Brielle Gunderson

Best Server: Junior Ryah Cotton

Most Improved: Senior Izzy Hawkins

Catalyst Award: Senior Lauren Wiese

Daggett (Spirit) Award: Senior Abby Lindaman, Katie Westerholm

All-Academic: Senior Abby Lindaman, Senior Dylan Raveling, Senior Lauren Wiese

Section 2AAAA Assistant Coach of the Year: Ryan Wagner