The good energy was needed indeed. With only one more match after this Tuesday night, the Panthers could’ve clinched the South Suburban Conference title with a win. The Cougars weren’t going to let that happen in front of the emphatic support, and won the match in four sets – 25-14, 19-25, 25-21, 25-21.  

Senior Emily Moes was the star of the show, pulling out some powerful kills. She finished the match with a total of 18 kills, a game high. She’s also just returning to playing 100 percent, according to Lakeville South head coach Steve Willingham.  

“[Moes] didn’t play last year with her knee injury,” Willingham said. “I know the kids love playing with her and I know it was a tough year for her last year, being a captain but not stepping on the court. Her leadership, her poise and her institutional knowledge are so important to this team.” 

Although Moes didn’t play volleyball last year, she did in fact win a state championship in lacrosse last Spring. It kept her in shape for her senior year, and one last run in volleyball.  

Lakeville North was no pushover in this match either. The Panthers were led by senior Emily Ramsay, who had 13 kills and led for good portions of the match.  

“[Lakeville] North is a great team,” Willingham said. “They’re a great program and we love having them right down the road from us. Every year one of us gets this match and it’s always fun.”  

The Panthers proved their quality, putting up a strong fight against the Cougars, who have now won five matches in a row. The tides turned in favor of the Cougars when they forced a small comeback in the third set. Lakeville North led 20-17 with momentum. But strong serving, including an ace to win the set by senior Ellie Parcher, gave the home team confidence. Parcher even followed her ace up with another to start the fourth set. It was a tension-filled match, with two teams that are likely to go far in the postseason.  

“We had lost to them earlier in the season, so before the game I was like ‘We have nothing to lose so just put it all out on the court’,” senior Kayli Starkey said.  

Either one or both teams have been in the Class 3A or Class 4A, Section 1 championship game each year since 2011. Despite the rivalry, both teams look like they could continue this streak. Only one regular season match remains for each team, the Panthers go up against Rosemount on Oct. 18 while the Cougars host Eastview the same night. So the players are looking ahead just a bit.  

“We want to finish up with a win [against Eastview] and play as hard as we can for each other with high energy,” Starkey said. “And we just want to have fun with together.”