Lakeville South at Eden Prairie
7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4

Lakeville South is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A and is likely to be the major competition for defending state Class 3A champion Eagan at the Section 3AAA playoffs. Those are high expectations for the Cougars, a team that hasn't advanced to the state tournament since the district split into two schools (North and South) in 2005. Lakeville South has watched North experience most of the success (six state visits in nine years and titles in 2010 and 2012). The Cougars, however, could be on the verge of a state berth if sophomore hitters Halle Johnston and Jenny Mosser can excel with sets from Cincinnati-bound senior Jade Tingelhoff.

Lakeville South will be tested Thursday night at Eden Prairie (No. 3-3A). The Eagles are coming off their fourth consecutive Pudas Invitational championship after defeating Minnetonka in the final. Senior setter Elizabeth Mohr had 27 set assists and senior outside hitter Abby Ihrke recorded 10 kills and nine digs for the Eagles.