When asked what goals they have, varsity volleyball players Samantha Swenson, Carissa Hilgers, Audrey Erickson, seniors, and Jasmyn Martin, sophomore, all replied instantly in unison with: “State.”

Before their previous 3-0 loss to Wayzata, the Royals had secured a 19 game-winning-streak.

“The first time we played [Wayzata], we didn’t know what to expect so we just played our game but, the second time, we went in thinking we were better because we beat them,” Swenson said.

The team finished the regular season with a record of 22-5. This year, they anticipate to go to the state tournament for the first time since 2007.

“We play to our potential, proving to everyone that we will go to state, playing like every game is our last because you never know when it’s gonna be now, especially with nine seniors on our team,” Hilgers said. “We have good chemistry, and we’re very talented. It’s not just one golden star, there’s a lot of them.”

The volleyball team will play their first section match against Orono on Thursday, Oct. 23rd, at the HHS Lindbergh Center.