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TYLER — Daynica Brown has been named the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s Class A coach of the year.
Brown piloted Russell-Tyler-Ruthton to a second-place finish in Class A this year, falling to Mayer Lutheran in the championship (25-17, 25-15, 25-23).
It was another banner year for the Knights, who compiled a 30-6 record with many victories versus schools from larger classes — and also Red Rock Conference regular-season champion.
“It’s so very exciting,” Brown said in a text to the Pipestone County Star.
“To be amongst all those other great coaches speaks volumes,” Brown added.
Daynica Brown reacts to a point in a tournament at Marshall High School during the 2025 season. Brown was named the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class A coach of the year piloting Russell-Tyler-Ruthton to a second-place finish at state. (Star file photo by Eric Viccaro)
This marks the second time during the past three seasons Brown was named MNVBCA coach of the year.
Marshall High School’s Dan Westby was selected as the Class AAA coach of the year. Westby guided the Tigers to the state title with a four-set conquest over Benilde-St. Margaret’s School 25-20, 25-12, 27-29, 25-17.
Albany’s Brian Hines won the honor in Class AA (fourth-place finish at state), and Steve Willingham from Lakeville South in Class AAAA. The Cougars swept Prior Lake for the AAAA championship.
Others also were honored with Laura Rosen from Central Minnesota Christian as Section 3A coach of the year, and Crystal Fast from Windom Area in Section 3AA, the same section as Pipestone Area Schools.
Brown will be officially honored with a plaque in July at the association’s clinic, and once again at the next banquet in the autumn.
This year was filled with awards for RTR, with senior middle blocker Ava Karbo earning Class A all-state accolades.
During Class A state in early November at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, outside hitters Sara Thooft and Paisley Thooft were both named to the all-tournament team.
Libero Laken Baartman, setter Brezlyn Buchert, Sara Thooft and Karbo were all first-team Red Rock Conference selections. Middle blocker Brynn Borresen and Paisley Thooft were honorably mentioned.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Brezlyn Buchert (5) sets during the Class A quarterfinals versus Nevis at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on Thursday, Nov. 6. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Brown not retained
During the Dec. 10 RTR school board meeting, a motion to retain and approve Brown as coach for the 2026 season failed on a 5-2 vote.
Board members Craig Hess and Peggy Dunblazier cast “yes” votes according to unofficial minutes posted to the school district website. The following members said “no” to the motion: Matt Kerkaert, Alan Matzner, Tony Dybdahl, Bobbie Lensing and Nick Johansen.
Ted Kern was approved to remain as Knights’ football coach and Sandy Carpenter as cheerleading coach/sponsor. There also remains an opening for the position of RTR cross country coach.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton dropped its opener on Friday, Nov. 21, at Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. (Contributed graphic from the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton school district)