The unintended benefit of losing was on the mind of Wayzata junior Avery Jesewitz in the moments after the Trojans won their 2022 season-opener against Minnetonka and extended the team's winning streak to 55 games.
Jesewitz, a strong and tall (6-3) outside hitter, was talking about how she relished the strongest competition. She said she didn't fear a loss because, at worst, a loss is a teachable moment.
And now, for the first time in three seasons, the Trojans are learning from a loss. No. 7-4A Lakeville South, in the quarterfinals of last weekend's Eagle Invitational at Apple Valley, was the second team this season to beat No. 2-4A Wayzata (14-2, 1-0).
The weekend matchup with South was the second meeting of the teams this season. Wayzata beat the Cougars in four sets on its home floor on Sept. 8. And Wednesday's match at No. 5-4A Champlin Park (14-4, 4-0) is Wayzata's second meeting with the Rebels after a 2-1 victory at the Marshall tournament on Sept. 10.
Both teams have weathered difficult schedules to get to this point. Wayzata will be playing its 10th game against a ranked opponent this season while Champlin Park, which beat Lakeville South in the third-place match at the Eagle Invitational, will be playing its 11th.
This contest, too, will be attractive to college scouts. In addition to Jesewitz, who already has attracted a lot of Division I interest, the lineup of talent on the floor includes Wayzata's junior setter Stella Swenson, junior hitter Olivia Swenson and sophomore middle Reilly Kurth, in addition to Champlin Park's sophomore right side Carly Gilk and sophomore setter Reese Axness.