The Hermantown volleyball team is state tournament bound for the first time since 2016. On Thursday the Hawks defeated North Branch 3-1 at Cloquet High School to claim the Section 7AAA title. This also marked Hermantown’s first section finals appearance since that 2016 season.

“When I gave my little speech in the locker room in our huddle, I said, ‘We’re here. This is what we’ve been waiting for. This is our last game.’ And then we could go to state, and they pulled it off,” said Hermantown head coach Jessica Williams.

The Hawks took a close set one 26-24 over the Vikings, then ran away with set two 25-14. North Branch battled back taking set three 26-24. However, it was Hermantown who would claim the fourth and final set 25-19.

“I’m just so overwhelmed with emotion. This has been our goal all season, and since I was little, and it just feels so great to finally achieve this goal,” said senior captain Claire Kaups.

The Hawks improve to 21-4 on the season. They advance to the state tournament November 6-9 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.