PHOTOS: Tonka Falls to Edina, 3-2

The time finally came. Unfortunately for the Minnetonka volleyball team, the Skippers were in the way.

Edina snapped its 29-game conference losing streak on Tuesday, earning a 3-2 win over Minnetonka in a blow-for-blow matchup at Edina High School.

The Hornets’ 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 15-13 win was their first since topping Robbinsdale Armstrong on Oct. 2, 2007. But Skippers coach Karl Katzenberger said this Edina squad is different than in years past.

“I told the coaches tonight—(Edina coach Stephanie Chapek), who is a brand new coach here—this is the best Edina team I’ve seen in seven years of coaching in this conference,” Katzenberger said. “I thought Edina came out with a lot to prove. They had their A-game, and they played well enough to win.”

So did the Skippers.

Minnetonka (7-5, 1-2 Lake Conference) showed its grit in the first set by overcoming a 21-17 deficit and earning a 25-23 win. Even though they lost the second, the Skippers came close to erasing a 22-13 deficit—finally falling 25-20.

But after winning the third set, the momentum began to change. Edina (7-3-1, 1-2) rallied behind their home crowd on Parents Night and forced the decisive fifth set, which ended with a green and white celebration on the court.

“This is so great,” Chapek said. “They had tears in their eyes after. It’s something they’ve wanted so long.”

Katzenberger was quick to remind his team that lessons can be learned from early-season defeats. This was Minnetonka’s fifth five-set match of the season, and the Skippers are 3-2 in those contests.

The key is learning to bounce back, Katzenberger said.

“We’ve built a lot of character,” Katzenberger said. “It stings to learn the hard way, coming up two plays short, but again it was fun being a spectator—just like you. I really like being involved in high school volleyball for this reason. It’s just civic pride, and the kids lining up and getting after each other.”

MATCH SUMMARY

Minnetonka 25 20 25 24 13

Edina 23 25 22 26 15