LAKEVILLE, Minn. -- Top-seeded and second-ranked Lakeville North got off to a fast start, were challenged and responded by finishing quickly as they downed Winona, 25-20, 25-14, 25-10, in a Section 1AAA quarterfinal match.
The Panthers jumped out to a 9-1 lead, putting together a seven-point run in the first 10 points of the match. Amelia Wherland served the first two points of the match and had four assists en route to that eight-point lead.
North would eventually make that an 11-point lead before the Winhawks came to life., going on a 9-1 run to close to within three points at 20-17 before the Panthers closed out a 25-20 first set.
The second set saw the only tie score of the match, after North took a 1-0 lead and Winona responded and the Panthers slowly pulled away, getting two blocks and a 4-for-4 hitting performance by Abbey Milner to lead the way.
The third set was much the same at North scored on 16 of 25 serves, sided out on nine of the Winhawks' 10 serves, and hit .409 to cruise to a 15-point set win and conclude a 53-minute match.
Wherland recorded 32 assists on 58 set attempts, while adding two kills, a service ace and a block assist. It was her third consecutive 30-plus assist performance in a row.
Amelia Wherland record her third consecutive 30-plus assist match.
The Panther hitters took advantage of Wherland's efforts as four recorded six or more kills. Macy Winter had seven and North's middle, Milner and Tori Thompson, combined for 13 kills and a .407 hitting percentage.
Milner also had four block assists to go with six kills while, in the back row, Halle Wolfe led the way with seven digs and was 13-for-13 in serve reception. Juhnke added six digs.
Next up for the Panthers is a rematch of last year's section semifinal, where North claimed a 3-0 win over Rochester Century. The teams will meet again at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
The winner of the match will face the winner of the second semifinal game, another rematch from last year, as second-seeded Lakeville South takes on third-seeded Northfield.
The section championship match is slated for Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Mayo Civic Center at 11 a.m.
