Minnetonka middle hitter Sonia Dahlin (9) went up for a hit as Eagan setter Kennedi Orr (2) attempted a block in the first set Friday. Photo: Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com
This was a test Eagan rarely faced this season. At least, not outside its own gym.
The No. 1-seeded Wildcats were taken to the limit by determined Minnetonka in a Class 3A semifinal Friday, eventually pulling out a five-set 22-25, 28-26, 25-27, 25-18, 15-13 victory.
It was just the second time this season the undefeated Wildcats had a match go to five sets. In fact, Minnetonka’s two set-victories were the first two Eagan had lost since early October.
“It was a battle,” Eagan coach Kathy Gillen said. “Every ball was contested. Our hitters usually swing and score more easily, but Minnetonka kept every ball alive.”
Minnetonka won the first set 25-22 thanks to its defense and strong play from frontliners Skyler Germann and Kali Engeman.
Eagan (31-0) was on the verge of losing the second set as well, but the Wildcats saved three set-points en route to a 28-26 victory.
Having played few tight matches all season, Eagan (30-0) leaned on its regular intense rallies in practice to guide them through the rough patches.
Photo gallery: Class 3A semifinals
“We have a lot of battles like that in our own gym,” Gillen said. “The girls kind of fell back on training.”
The Skippers’ commitment to not letting the ball touch the floor served them well in the third set, winning 27-25.
Minnetonka libero Sarah Stolar said the Skippers felt the entire time like they could play with Eagan if they played strong, interconnected defense.
“We knew we could play with them from watching film and sticking together, from the block to the pass to the set,” she said.
It’s been that bond that helped the Skippers, making their first tournament appearance since 1976, get this far, coach Karl Katzenberger said.
“To be frank, on paper, this team isn’t supposed to be beating some of the teams it has, but they’ve developed a no-fear attitude,” he said. “This is one of the rare, fun years when the sum is great than the parts.”
Eagan controlled the fourth set, winning 25-18 while Katzenberger gave many of his starters an extended rest.
The two teams went back-and-forth in the fifth set. The Wildcats built a 9-5 lead, only to see the Skippers battle back to tie. In the end, however, Eagan’s attack proved to be a little too much for the Skippers.
Kennedi Orr’s 15 kills led a group of four Eagan players with double-digit kills. Germann paced Minnetonka (26-7) with 18 kills and Engeman added 15.
With the victory, Eagan advanced to the Class 3A championship game for the seventh consecutive year. The Wildcats lost to Champlin Park in the 2018 final.
First report
Eagan survived a five-set battle to defeat Minnetonka in the Class 3A semifinals, 22-25, 28-26, 25-27, 25-18, 15-13.
It was just the second five-set match the Wildcats had played all year.
Eagan (31-0) advances to play Saturday in the championship game against the winner of the North St. Paul-Wayzata semifinal.
Check back later for more on the match.
Volleyball Hub Headlines
MN high school boys volleyball: St. Thomas to hold boys volleyball tournament
- By Jim Paulsen, The Minnesota Star Tribune 12/06/2024, 11:15am CST
MN high school volleyball recruiting: Burnsville volleyball standout Mesaiya Bettis signs with Iowa State
- By Cassidy Hettesheimer, The Minnesota Star Tribune 11/13/2024, 5:15pm CST
MN high school recruiting: Where some of Minnesota’s top high school athletes are heading for college
- By Star Tribune staff 11/13/2024, 12:15pm CST
MN high school volleyball recruiting: Four Minnesota volleyball recruits are headed to Montana State. A Minnesota connection is a big reason why they’re going.
- By Cassidy Hettesheimer, The Minnesota Star Tribune 11/13/2024, 12:00pm CST
MN high school volleyball state tournament: Lakeville South steadies itself in final set, defeats Champlin Park for Class 4A volleyball title
- By Cassidy Hettesheimer, The Minnesota Star Tribune 11/09/2024, 10:15pm CST
