BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- Lakeville North scored on Burnsville's first serve, scored the next 12 points behind Tori Thompson's service, and cruised to a 25-7, 25-20, 25-11 win to claim a share of the South Suburban Conference crown for the second consecutive season.
The second-ranked Panthers were never challenged in the opening set as they hit .550 with just one hitting error, sided out on seven of the Blaze's eight serves and scored on 18 of 24 serves.
The second set was a different story as the hosts led 8-3 before a 9-2 run, capped by four consecutive service points by Thompson, gave the Panthers their first lead of the set.
It was the first of three lead changes and Burnsville would again take a four-point lead at 18-14 before a 5-0 run put the Panthers ahead and, after a brief tie, at 19-19, they finished the set with a 6-1 run.
The third set saw North jump out to a 5-0 lead with Thompson, once again, providing the impetus at the service line, and the Panthers ran away with final frame to finish the match in 54 minutes.
North scored points on 20 of Thompson's 24 serves, and she added seven kills, hitting .500, to go with five total blocks.
Tori Thompson served the Panthers to a 13-0 lead in the first set.
Elizabeth Juhnke finished with 19 kills, a .654 hitting percentage, and four blocks.
Amelia Wherland recorded her 11th 30+ assist match of the season, finishing with 31 assists in 53 set attempts.
North will close out its regular-season campaign tomorrow night at home on Senior Night. The Panthers play host to non-conference foe Bloomington Jefferson in a 7 p.m. match.
