PRIOR LAKE, Minn. -- Second-ranked Lakeville North got double-double performances from three different players, and used its defense and service game to claim a 25-16, 24-26, 25-15, 25-14 win at fifth-ranked Prior Lake.
Except for a let down late in the second set, which saw the Panthers give up a 22-17 lead while failing to convert three set points, North dominated the match.
The Panthers led from start to finish in the third and fourth set, closing out the final stanza with a six-block effort while holding the Lakers to a -.067 hitting percentage.
The opening set saw six tie scores and four lead changes in the first 18 points before North went on an 11-2 run, which featured a kill, a block and two aces by Tori Thompson, to take a commanding 20-11 lead.
The second set belong to the Panthers in the early going, as they held the lead from the start until Prior Lake managed to tie the score at 13-13.
It was the first of four tied scores in a nine-point span before North grabbed the lead at 18-17, scoring five consecutive points to take a 22-17 lead before the hosts put together a 9-2 run to come from behind and tie the match at 1-1.
The Panthers opened the third set on a 5-0 run behind Halle Wolfe's serve and two blocks by Thompson.
The Lakers would take two of the next three points but would never get back to within five points of the lead the rest of the set.
Prior Lake made several lineup changes to open the fourth set but it mattered little, with North taking a 4-2 lead and then going on an 8-0 run to grab a 12-2 lead.
Elizabeth Juhnke factored in all facets of the match with 11 kills, 15 digs, two blocks an assist and an ace. (Photo by Lisa Abrahamson)
Arianna Barrett turned in a 10-kill, 11-dig performance and added four blocks. (Photo by Lisa Abrhamson)
The Panthers put together a pair 5-0 runs on the serivce of Kennedy Brady and Elizabeth Junke and a pair of Macy Winter kills provided North with its final two points of the match.
Juhnke, Winter and Arianna Barrett all posted double-figures in both kills and digs. Juhnke had 11 kills and 15 digs to tie for match highs in both categories. Winter also had 11 kills and 11 digs while Barrett had 10 kills and 11 digs.
Wolfe also had 15 digs while Thompson led both teams with six blocks. Barrett and Brady both added four.
Up next for the Panthers is a road match at Rosemount, Tuesday, Sept. 19, slated to get underway at 7 p.m.
