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Tough defense lifts Eagan past top-ranked Lakeville South

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 09/18/15, 5:15PM CDT

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The Wildcats' victory came two days after they knocked off preseason No.1 pick Prior Lake.


Eagan's Brie Orr and Alyssa Doucette prepared to block the spike of Lakeville South's Jenny Mosser in the match between the two teams on Thursday night. Photo: KYNDELL HARKNESS * kyndell.harkness@startribune.com

It’s looking more and more like no one wants the No. 1 ranking in Class 3A this season.

Three days after taking over the top spot in the Class 3A state coaches association poll, Lakeville South succumbed to an exceptional defensive effort by Eagan and fell to the Wildcats in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19 Thursday at Lakeville South.

It was the second big  victory of the week for Eagan (8-1), which defeated preseason No. 1 Prior Lake in four sets Tuesday.

Lakeville South (9-2) became the third different team to be ranked No. 1 Monday by virtue of its victory in the Southwest Minnesota Classic in Marshall on Sept. 12. The Cougars defeated Lakeville North in three sets Tuesday, but they had no counter for Eagan’s balanced effort Thursday night.

“The team that’s supposed to win doesn’t always win and the team that’s supposed to lose doesn’t always lose,” Eagan coach Kathy Gillen said. “The No. 1 ranking could go to anyone of eight teams, legitimately.”

Eagan, with versatile setter/hitter Brie Orr running the show, took quick leads in all three sets. The Wildcats’ defense – airtight digging and efficient passing from the back row and a strong front line presence from Alyssa Doucette, Ellie Husemann and Annie Wong – frustrated Lakeville South Division I-bound outside hitting combo of Jenny Mosser and Halle Johnston. Mosser and Johnston combined for 24 kills, but needed 83 attacks to reach that number and finished with a combined hitting percentage of just .217.

“We are playing such good team ball right now,” said Gillen, who added that the Wildcats have significant room for improvement despite the convincing victory.

“To be honest, we played better Tuesday,” she said. “I think our stats will prove that. That will give us something to work on in practice.”

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