How competitive is the South Suburban Conference? The University of Minnesota currently features three players from the league’s pool of former volleyball talent — including one from each of Eagan (Ellie Husemann) and Shakopee (Rachel Kilkelly).
The immense ability of the South Suburban was on full display at Shakopee High School on Wednesday night, where the Sabers, ranked No. 7 in the Class 3A coaches’ preseason poll, defeated the No. 1-3A Wildcats 25-18, 28-26, 25-27, 11-25, 15-7.
Shakopee started the evening playing impressive team defense, including digs by multiple players, and blocks by senior co-captain and middle hitter Aryana Forsberg.
“It was a balanced team effort,” said Forsberg. “We came into the game with the mentality of ‘they may be the No. 1 team in the state but No. 1 teams lose.’”
Shakopee outlasted South Suburban Conference rival Eagan 25-18, 28-26, 25-27, 11-25, 15-7 on Wednesday night at Shakopee High School.
The Sabers, ranked No. 7 in the Class 3A coaches’ poll, used impressive team defense to hold off a rally from the No. 1-3A Wildcats, who concluded last year’s Class 3A state tournament with a runner-up finish, after being up 2-0 before Eagan stormed back into the game.
The Sabers (2-0, 0-0) and Wildcats (1-1, 0-0) each produced multiple ties and lead changes in the second, third and fifth sets.
The foes are slated to meet again on Nov. 4 at Eagan.
MN Volleyball Hub polls are for entertainment purposes only.