Belle Plaine at Mayer Lutheran 
7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1

Belle Plaine has made three straight trips to the Class 2A state tournament and is cruising again this season. The No. 1 Tigers (6-0) dropped their first set in a Sept. 15 win over Southwest Christian and haven’t lost a set in the two games since. Junior outside hitter Mariena Hayden (98 kills) and junior setter Danielle Taylor (157 assists) give Belle Plaine a formidable duo in this matchup. 

Mayer Lutheran could be the only team to challenge Belle Plaine in the Minnesota River Conference, especially if the No. 4-1A Crusaders (7-5) find the magic they had during last year’s Class 1A, Section 4 playoffs. Mayer Lutheran knocked off No. 2 seed Heritage Christian and top-seeded New Life Academy to reach the state tournament. The Crusaders last victory over Belle Plaine was on Oct. 16, 2012.