Lakeville North Avenges Only Losses of Season

The Lakeville North Panthers are the Class 3A Minnesota High School Volleyball Champions.

In an all South Suburban Conference final the Panthers avenged their only two losses of the season to Eagan, handing the defending State Champions and top ranked Wildcats their second loss of the year in the four set affair.

Eagan's other loss came against Lakeville South.

Scores were 25-20 Lakeville North, 25-21 Eagan, 25-20 and 25-23 Lakeville North.

The #2 rated and #2 seed Lakeville North was led by 6'0 junior Elizabeth Juhnke with 24 kills in 64 total attacks in the match.  She also had 15 digs, an ace serve, solo block and two block assists.

There were some long volleys with the Panthers racking up 165 total attacks and Wildcats 158.

Lakeville North finished the day with a team hitting percentage of .139 and Eagan hit at a .133 clip.

The Wildcats had 12 blocks and the Panthers 9.  Lakeville North connected for six ace serves and Eagan had 3.  The Panthers finished with 77 digs and Wildcats tallied 71.

Sophomore libero Halle Wolfe led Lakeville North with 22 digs.  6'1 junior outside hitter Macy Winter had 10 kills for the Panthers.

Eagan was paced by 6'1 senior McKenna Melville with 14 kills and 17 digs.  6'0 freshman setter Kennedi Orr tallied a triple double with 13 kills, 187 assists and 14 digs for the Wildcats who finished their season 30-2.

The Class 3A State Champion Lakeville North Panthers finished the year 32-2.

Winter, Juhnke and 6'1 senior middle hitter Kennedy Brady were named to the All-Tournament team along with Orr and Melville for Eagan.

Eight of the ten ladies named to the All-Tournament team were from the South Suburban Conference with Prior Lake libero CC McGraw and middle hitter Maddy Bremer also being named.

Lakeville North started their state championship season with a sweep of the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals.

Former Faribault Falcon Head Coach Damian Fox is an assistant on Lakeville North Head Coach Jackie Richter's staff.