Five victories in the first seven games is a good start for most teams. The standards are a little higher at Eagan, where the Wildcats have participated in the past seven Class 3A state championship matches.
At Eagan, a 5-2 start might cause a few onlookers to wonder what's wrong with coach Kathy Gillen's squad, or wonder if it's a rebuilding season.
But you can be sure that Lakeville North coaches and players understand that the path to a South Suburban Conference championship goes through Eagan. The Panthers (9-2, 2-0) get their opportunity against Eagan (7-2, 2-0), the fifth-ranked team in the Class 4A coaches' poll, on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats remain one of the state's best teams. Their two losses have come against No. 2-4A Shakopee and No. 4-4A Bloomington Jefferson. Twin towers and Division-I commits Sienna Ifill (6-foot-1, Marquette) and Kendal Kemp (6-foot-6, Auburn) control the net.
The truncated 2020 season ended with Lakeville North at 10-2, one-half game ahead of 9-2 Eagan in the South Suburban Conference race. The Panthers took a three-set victory from Eagan on their home floor on Nov. 19, just a few days before the season came to an end.
Both teams lost key players but both are again in the mix as state tournament contenders.
Senior Kaitlynn Peterson (83 kills) and 6-foot-0 freshman Rayna Christianson (58 kills, 19 blocks) lead the Panthers' front line while setters Ava Blascziek (113 assists, 14 service aces) and Abby Jandro (114 assists, 13 service aces) run the offense.