After twice being rejected by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), boys volleyball, which has been a club sport for several years, is on the way to becoming a sanctioned high school sport.

In November, the MSHSL’s board approved boys volleyball as an emerging sport for next year, and recommended it be fully sanctioned by the 2024-25 school year.

A final vote to officially sanction high school boys volleyball is expected in May.

Josh Wastvedt, who also coaches Burnsville’s girls team, has coached the boys team for the last two years. This year, Coach Wastvedt led the Blaze girls volleyball team to a section championship and a run at the state title. He was also named Section 6AAAA Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

Wastvedt expects the vote to pass and is excited to grow and develop the boys program. 

“I think right now the future is really bright for Blaze volleyball as a whole,” said Wastvedt. “We want established programs, in both boys and girls, that are competing for section championships and going to state every year.” 

Boys volleyball is currently operating under the direction of the Minnesota Boys Volleyball Association and expects 70 Minnesota schools to offer boys volleyball this spring. The Blaze will compete in the South Suburban Conference, which includes Apple Valley, Eagan, Eastview, Farmington, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Shakopee and United Christian Academy.

The 2023 Minnesota Boys High School Volleyball State Tournament will be held June 14-15 at Shakopee High School.