Some light scouting information on Mayer Lutheran Crusaders volleyball

Mayer Lutheran takes a 20-11-1 record into the Class A state tournament. The Crusaders have seven seniors on their roster this year. They are coached by Joelle Grimsley, now in her 16th season leading the Crusaders volleyball program.

Common opponents with the Jaguars, or opponents from west central Minnesota, and the outcome of those matches during the 2010 regular season: September 17 vs. Maccray - 2-0 tournament win 25-20, 25-19. September 18 vs. Nevis - 2-0 tournament win 26-24, 25-19. October 5 vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 3-0 win 25-17, 25-21, 25-19.

Section 4A results for the Crusaders - three very easy 3-0 sweeps over Marantha Christian Academy, Legacy Christian Academy, and Providence Academy; also a 3-1 win in the Section 4A championship on Nov. 6 with scores of 26-24, 25-18, 25-27, 25-14.

The Crusaders, who are members of the very tough Minnesota River Conference, are making their first state tournament appearance since 2007 and ninth overall. The Minnesota River Conference includes powerful Class AA programs such as Belle Plaine, Le Sueur-Henderson, and Jordan.

Mayer Lutheran finished 4-3 (4th) in the Minnesota River Conference this season.

In the 2009 Section 4A playoffs, Mayer Lutheran took a 9-17 record into playoffs, won their sub-section title, and then lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Legacy Christian in the section championship. LC won game five by a 15-13 margin, then went on to beat Nevis in the state quarterfinals and finish with the fifth place trophy.

In 2007, the Crusaders finished in third place in Class A, after beating B-B-E 3-1 in the quarterfinals in a 18-25, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25 match.

In 2006, the Crusaders were a Class AA team. They lost to eventual Class AA champion Jordan in the sub-section championship match in a 3-2 barn burner. Jordan went 33-1 that season, beating St.Cloud Cathedral, Pipestone Area, and Stewartville on their way to the title.

In 2005, the Crusaders finished fourth in the Class AA state tournament. They beat Jordan 3-2 in the sub-section championship on their way to winning the Section 4AA title.