Lakeville South celebrates after a 3-2 victory over Lakeville North in the Class 4A, Section 1 championship match on Saturday at the Mayo Civic Center. Photo by Jim and Ruth Lindquist Photography
Lakeville South senior captain Josie Tingelhoff raises the Class 4A, Section 1 championship plaque as the Cougars celebrate a 3-2 victory over rival Lakeville North at Rochester's Mayo Civic Center. Photo by Jim and Ruth Lindquist Photography
ROCHESTER – The match set up just right: No. 2 seed Lakeville North, a team with storied success in high school volleyball, against No. 1 seed Lakeville South, the team ranked first in Class 4A by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association.
Lakeville South coach Stephen Willingham admitted he was anxious. Lakeville North coach Jackie Richter knew the feeling. “There’s always an excited nervousness about playing Lakeville South,” Richter said.
The crosstown rivals got together an hour from home Saturday at the Mayo Civic Center and played down to the fifth set in the Section 1 championship match, then they drew that out to the 20th point until Lakeville South won 18-25, 25-18, 25-19, 18-25, 20-18.
For more on the Cougars' victory, click here to read this story on startribune.com.
Lakeville North’s Rayna Christianson (4) sets the ball for teammate Brooke Zweber (1) while Lakeville South’s Grace Hertaus (12) and Romi Chlebecek (13) get ready to make a return. The Panthers fell to the Cougars 3-2. Photo by Jim and Ruth Lindquist Photography