Southwest Christian vs. Eden Prairie

7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8

Estelle Haugen won't be on the court in her Southwest Christian jersey. She's busy as a freshman with the University of Georgia volleyball team. 

Eden Prairie coach Chad Becker can't look down his bench and call on Kendall Minta, who is playing Division-I volleyball at Bradley.

But that doesn't mean this meeting of 2021 state tournament teams doesn't still hold some intrigue. Southwest Christian remains highly regarded in Class 2A, holding the No. 5 ranking from the state volleyball coaches association, and Eden Prairie returns a good amount of talent from a team that placed third in the Class 4A state tournament.

Southwest Christian (1-1, 0-0) lost to No. 6-4A Chaska in their season opener before beating Totino-Grace in three sets. Annika Veurink and Mehlayna Straub are Southwest Christian's leaders this season in kills. Juniors Ava McIntosh and Luca Bredenberg also return with plenty of varsity experience.

Eden Prairie (1-1, 0-0) returns hitters Evelyn Skattum and Lillian Ekness, along with setter Cameron Berger from their third-place team. Eden Prairie's loss this season came against No. 3-1A Bethlehem Academy.