Falcons dominate volleyball opener against Breck

The Breck School hosted Armstrong High School last week in a boys volleyball game, with Armstrong winning 3-0. Both teams kicked off boys volleyball’s MSHSL-emerging sport season April 11, ahead of full integration next school year.

The Breck Mustangs entered the day with one game already played, losing 3-0 to New Prague on the road in a non-conferece game two days prior.

Armstrong’s strong start to the night, following an eventful junior varsity game, included a tight back and forth at the top of the first set. Armstrong quickly climbed to its first 10 points, but Breck was close behind with six.

Armstrong eventually pulled ahead, winning 25-11 with strong setting from Bram Hetteen, a run of dangerous serves by Bennett Higgins, Victor Luu working hard as a libero, and Mekhi Kpedua and Cole Peterson looking intimidating at the net.

Breck did fall behind in the set, but also found promising moments from Jasper Thompson, Remy Rosenberg, Misha Sostek, and Guterra Ayanna. Thompson was a clear leader on Thursday, while Ayanna was a constant presence to navigate out of tough spots.

Armstrong’s Eli Hetteen put together six consecutive aces to announce the Falcons into the second set, which the team dominated throughout and eventually won 25-8. Luu and August Toussaint-Kuehl also made impressive runs serving.

Armstrong’s Jahvon Davidson came in as libero in the third set and did well, also putting out several aces. Toussaint-Kuehl also put out some acrobatic and effective serves as the Falcons built their third strong lead of the night with some big kills from Higgins, Sebastian Hipolito Valtierrez and Kpedua.

Armstrong won the final set 25-6 to close out the game. The night provided a difficult challenge for Breck, who stood up to the challenge nonetheless and had bright moments. Breck has a small roster which did not take part in the 2023 Minnesota Boys High School Volleyball Association season, which could be an obstacle for the team this season.

Breck will play two games this week, traveling to Roseville April 16 and hosting International School of Minnesota-Chesterton-Heritage Academy on Friday, April 19.

Armstrong was set to play two games the following week, traveling to Patrick Henry High School April 15 (after this edition went to press) and Prairie Seeds Academy on Friday, April 19.