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Eagan falters early before rallying past Lakeville South to remain perfect

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 10/13/16, 1:00PM CDT

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The Wildcats dropped the first two sets before storming back to win the final three.

standstill

Eagan's Alyssa Doucette (middle) and Brie Orr (8) stuff a shot by Lakeville South's Sydney Case. Top-ranked Eagan rallied from two sets down to beat the Cougars 3-2. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine



Eagan was slowed but could not be stopped Thursday night at Eagan high school, not even by a record breaking night by Lakeville South’s senior outside hitter Jenny Mosser and a two-set Cougars’ lead.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 1 in the latest Class 3A state coaches’ poll, won the third, fourth and fifth sets to finish off a fantastic comeback, keeping alive the 25-match winning streak that dates back to last season’s Class 3A, Section 3 playoffs.

“We haven’t had a game for a week and a half, so our competition has been in our gym, which is good, but it was really nice [to play a game],” Eagan coach Kathy Gillen said after the win.

Junior outside hitter McKenna Melville recorded nine kills and 18 digs for the Wildcats (20-0, 9-0), and said that the fierce competition the Wildcats face in practice is the best preparation for a high-intensity match like Thursday’s.

“[P]racticing against each other is very good for us,” Melville added.

Despite additional practices against each other, the extended time off may have contributed to the Wildcats’ slow start, as the No. 2-3A Cougars (19-3, 6-3) took the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores.

Mosser was the catalyst behind the Cougars’ fast start, netting an exceptional 48 kills, three more than the previous single game record of 45 set Brittany Chambers of Jordan in 2007.

Instead of wilting, the Wildcats channeled the calm demeanor of senior middle hitter Alyssa Doucette, focusing on execution throughout match, regardless of the outcome of each point.

“I always remind myself that it’s just a game, and I’m doing this for fun with my team,” Doucette said regarding her ability to smile at her own mistakes. “If I make an error, I gotta shake it off and move on,” Doucette added.

Doucette finished the match with 11 kills, the second-highest total of the match for the Wildcats, behind senior setter Brie Orr’s 18.

In contrast with the dramatic finish to the match and the raucous home crowd, Doucette offered placid insight on the dramatic comeback.  

“Just playing Eagan volleyball and staying together and playing for each other,” Doucette said.

Gillen, who’s sideline demeanor is that of a cool tactician, says that Doucette has helped her relax in the time she’s known her.

“She’s changed me,” Gillen said with a smile of Doucette, affectionately known as “Douce” to teammates.

Gillen added Orr has also changed her, saying that her coaching style needs to remain fluid depending on who she has on her team.

“You’ve gotta coach with the chemistry of the girls that you have,” Gillen explained. “I’m a different coach than I was ten years ago because of those two [Doucette and Orr].”

First Report

Senior setter Brie Orr recorded 18 kills, and senior middle hitter Alyssa Doucette added 11 as Eagan completed a spectacular comeback Thursday night, edging Lakeville South in five sets after losing the first two in South Suburban Conference action at Eagan High School. 

Lakeville South, ranked No. 2 in the latest Class 3A state coaches’ poll, leapt out to a fast start in the match, winning the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores. 

The Cougars (19-3, 6-3) were led offensively by senior outside hitter Jenny Mosser, who racked up a state-record 48 kills, besting the previous mark of 45 set by Jordan’s Brittany Chambers set in 2007.

The No. 1-3A Wildcats (20-0, 9-0) won the third, fourth and fifth sets by scores of 26-24, 25-23 and 15-9.

Mosser

Lakeville South's Jenny Mosser (9) blocks a shot by Eagan's Brie Orr. In addition to solid defensive play, Mosser had a historical offensive night, setting a state record with 48 kills. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

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