Sophomore setter Brie Orr was the calming force top-seeded Eagan needed to overcome some shaky play and hold off fifth-seeded Lakeville North 25-13, 25-7, 25-23 in a Class 3A, Section 2 semifinal match Tuesday at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

Orr, who finished with 13 assists, nine digs and six kills in the match, said she tried to keep her emotions in check throughout the entire match despite the Wildcats’ fluctuating play.

“Staying calm throughout the whole game went really well for me,” Orr said. “Some matches I get really excited and really down, but this one I stayed mutual the entire time.”

Eagan had the momentum in the first two sets, cruising to double-digit victories in both. The Panthers slowed the tide with their play in the third set but could not rally for a victory and extend the match.

Eagan coach Kathy Gillen said the momentum shift was difficult to overcome.

“Volleyball is the type of game where you lose momentum, it’s hard to get it back, no matter what we tried” Gillen said. “Everything they were doing was going right, and everything we were doing was going wrong.” 

The Wildcats, who are ranked No. 4 in the season's final Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A poll, hope to avoid a similar scenario when they take on second-seeded Lakeville South in the section championship at Prior Lake High School on Nov. 1.

“(The Cougars are) going to be better than Lakeville North,” Gillen said. “They’re going to come at us with a lot more weapons and I hope we’re playing up to where we can.”

Eagan and Lakeville South, ranked No. 7 in the poll, played twice in the regular season. The Wildcats defeated the Cougars 3-0 in their South Suburban Conference meeting on Sept. 16. Lakeville South upended Eagan 2-0 in the Eagle Invitational Volleyball Tournament four days later.

Spotlight Game Coverage