Eden Prairie at Eagan
7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16

These two schools have combined to appear in the last three state Class 3A championship matches, with each winning once.  Eagan claimed its fifth state title last year. The Wildcats defeated the Eagles 3-1 in the semifinals en route to the championship. Eden Prairie had been in the final the previous two years, winning a title in 2011 and losing to Lakeville North in 2012.

The Eagles have lost just twice this season, both times to Lake Conference rival Hopkins. Otherwise, Eden Prairie has rarely been tested, dropping only three other sets all season.

Hopkins also knocked off Eagan in their only meeting on Sept. 19 at the Eagle Invitational in Apple Valley. The Wildcats also dropped matches to Faribault Bethlehem Academy, Prior Lake and Lakeville South. 

Can Eagan follow Hopkins’ blueprint for beating Eden Prairie? Well, both have strong setters (Eagan’s Madeline McNeil and Brie Orr share duties but also hit in the Wildcats’ offense).