Boys Volleyball Voted Down by MSHSL

A motion to add boys volleyball as a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) sanctioned sport failed to pass Tuesday.

A representative assembly vote at a meeting in Brooklyn Park was 31-17 against. The measure needed 32 votes to pass.

It is the third time that boys volleyball was denied, after attempts in 2019 and 2021 also failed to gain enough support.

Boys volleyball in high schools has a thriving club program, with 53 schools and over 1,400 students participating this spring.

Osseo, Park Center, Maple Grove, Champlin Park, Wayzata, Prairie Seeds, and Benilde-St. Margaret’s are schools in the northwest suburbs that have teams.

Gym space, cost, and which season it would fit best in are some of the reasons given for voting against.

Rising popularity, reaching more boys who don’t play other sports, and strong support from diverse communities, especially Asian, are reasons supporters cite.