Lakeville North at Prior Lake
7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14

Through the season’s first few weeks, it appears as if the primary contender to Eagan in Class 3A is No. 2-ranked Lakeville North. The Panthers (9-0) continued to cruise through their schedule unbeaten, winning the prestigious Southwest Minnesota Challenge in Marshall without dropping a set. Winning five matches over the weekend, Lakeville North knocked off crosstown rival Lakeville South in the championship match. Junior outside hitter Elizabeth Juhnke recorded 14 kills at a .448 hitting percentage in the final, while seniors Amanda Burger and Amelia Wherland combined for 26 set assists. Through nine matches, Juhnke leads the team with 113 kills, while Burger has a team-best 130 set assists and 14 service aces.

Prior Lake (6-4) was also at the Southwest Minnesota Challenge, winning its first three matches before dropping its final two to Lakeville South and Champlin Park to finish in fourth place. All-state libero CC McGraw is back from an ankle injury, which should solidify the No. 5-3A Lakers’ defense, which isn’t a surprise. What was surprising was that she may also solidify the Lakers’ setting. In five matches at Marshall, McGraw recorded 42 set assists to go with 28 digs. University of Michigan-bound hitter Kayla Bair leads the Lakers with 96 kills.