State Tourney Tradition

Kelsey (Hennen) Buysse has been there — so has sister Samantha ... and sister Molly ... and brother Kyle.

And, for the second time after making the state in volleyball this year, sisters Morgan and Abby Hennen are continuing the family tradition of Hennens playing in a state tournament.

And this, Kelsey said, “Will be the 20th state tournament our family has played in.”

She added, “My mom (Missy) was counting it up and it will be 20 state tournaments,” Kelsey smiled.

The children of Missy and Steve Hennen have been part of an even larger gathering ­— namely Minneotans in the state tournament.

The Hennen tradition began when Samantha Hennen played on the 2006 girls state championship volleyball team.

Kelsey Hennen followed playing both volleyball and basketball at the state tournament.

And sister Molly also was a two-sport athlete at the state.

Their only brother Kyle wrestled in the state tournament and played football in the state.

Now, the final two pieces of the Hennen family pilgrimage will continue the family’s tradition when Morgan and Abby Hennen go onto the floor to play for the Minneota Vikings.

The team will play Menahga at 1 p.m. Thursday at Williams Arena.

And when Morgan and Abby are introduced as starters, it will continue the family’s dominance at Minnesota State High School tournaments.

Oh, their coach, Chad Johnston, who has coached all five of the Hennen girls and their brother Kyle, will be making his seventh appearance at the state as the Vikings girls’ basketball coach.

That’s not counting the football titles he’s won as head coach.