Hopkins at Chaska
7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29

With a 3-4 overall record, Hopkins is not where it expected to be when it was ranked No. 4 in the 3A preseason coaches’ poll. Two of those losses came to against ranked opponents in No. 9-3A Rosemount and No. 4-3A Roseville, salvaging the Royals' current No. 14 ranking. Slow starts may be dooming Hopkins, as it has been outscored by opponents 145-107 in the first set. 

Losses to No. 3-3A Lakeville South on Sept. 12 and Sept. 22 leaves defending 3A champion Chaska with an 8-3 record and the No. 8 ranking. The Hawks rebounded from the most recent defeat to the Cougars with a dominant 25-8, 25-10, 25-11 win over Robbinsdale Cooper.