Lakeville North vs. Lakeville South has become one of the state's great rivalries, and the history is especially rich with the schools' volleyball teams.
One or both has been in the Class 3A or Class 4A, Section 1 championship game each year since 2011 and the teams have met in that game three times in that span. North won in 2019, South in 2018.
Both will be strong contenders again this year. And while the rivalry is at its most fierce when there is a state tournament berth on the line, bragging rights alone are cherished. Even as the Cougars struggled last season, they managed to win one of their two meetings against North.
But Tuesday's game does have South Suburban Conference championship implications as well.
Lakeville North (18-3, 7-0), ranked second in Class 4A, sits atop the conference standings in the final week and a half of the regular season. Lakeville South (16-5, 6-1), ranked sixth in Class 4A, is right behind, a half game ahead of No. 9-4A Eagan (9-8, 5-1).
A victory on Tuesday would leave the Panthers in control with just a game remaining against Rosemount on Oct. 18. Lakeville South closes its regular season on the same day against Eastview.