Competition at last weekend's Eagle Invitational at Apple Valley was fierce, as both Shakopee and Chaska can attest.
Shakopee lost for the first time this season, falling 20-25, 22-25 to No. 7-4A Eden Prairie and then 16-25, 13-25 to No. 4-4A Eagan in the third-place game.
Chaska lost to No. 1-4A Wayzata and also to No. 1-3A Marshall. The Hawks played in the seventh-place game.
The competition continues this week as the teams meet on the Hawks' home floor in Saturday afternoon matinee. And No. 6-4A Chaska (11-5, 4-0) begins the week with No. 4-3A New Prague on Tuesday.
Saturday's game features two of the state's best high school players in Shakopee senior middle Maddie Lipetzky and Chaska senior outside Mallory Heyer.
Shakopee is adept at keeping the ball in play, with setters Emma Horning and Kate Lordes controlling the pace. The Sabers (14-2, 2-0), who have conference road games against Rosemount and Farmington before playing Chaska, face No. 9-4A Lakeville North and New Prague next week.
Heyer and the Hawks, with 6-foot-1 junior middle Avery Rosenberg and 6-foot junior outside Ella Christ, have the height advantage.