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Sports

Lakeville North Volleyball Takes Care of Business, Sweep Blaze

Win is part of stretch of 'important matches' for Lakeville North volleyball team.

The top-ranked volleyball team knocked off Burnsville in three sets Tuesday night, sweeping the Blaze 25-18, 25-15, 25-23.

It was a big win for the Panthers (16-2, 5-1 South Suburban Confernce), who were coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Wayzata, the team they beat in last year's state Class AAA state finals.

“We're in a stretch of a lot of important matches,” Panthers coach Steve Willingham said. “This was a tough conference team, and we've got another tough conference match against Jefferson on Thursday, then our own tournament this weekend.”

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It was also a victory of sorts for the Blaze, who knew coming in that points were going to be hard to come by against the Panthers.

“I was actually very pleased,” Blaze coach Kim Hook said of her team's effort. “I don't look at regular-season wins and losses. The regular season is just a chance for us to get ready for the playoffs, and we're making strides as a team.

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“We're playing faster, and we're more polished. (The match) was a success in a lot of ways.”

The Blaze played from behind for the entirety of the first two sets, but were able to grab an early lead in the third set and maintain it until late. Burnsville held the lead until 23-22, but an ace by Bri Hagen tied it before Burnsville hit long to give the Panthers their first lead of the set.

Lakeville senior captain Kelly Nizzari then sent everyone home with a kill at match point, her ninth of the night. Sophomore Alyssa Goehner led the Panthers with 14 kills, and junior Haley Walker added seven.

Goehner also led the defensive effort with 10 digs, and Abby Monson added nine digs. Jessica Wolff was a perfect 76-for-76 setting with no errors.

For the Blaze, Lauren Randall and Alli Butler led the way with 10 kills each, and Greta Geist and Camille Benson were tops defensively with eight digs each.

Burnsville (6-9, 1-5 South Suburban Conference) returns to action Thursday at Apple Valley.

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