Volleyball: No problems for Lakers in playoff opener

The Prior Lake volleyball team had little trouble in winning its first playoff game Oct. 30.

Senior Emily Holte had 12 kills and sophomore Jayme Lubansky had six kills and three blocks in the Lakers' sweep (25-11, 25-21, 25-16) over fifth-seeded Willmar in the Section 2AAA quarerfinals.

Now, it gets tough for the fourth-seeded Lakers - really tough. They'll get top-seeded and unbeaten Shakopee (27-0) in the semifinals Thursday, Nov. 5 at Chanhassen High School at 6 p.m. Second-seeded Chaska (24-3) and third-seeded Eden Prairie (18-9) will square off in the other semifinal game at 8 p.m.

Shakopee , the two-time defending Class AAA state champs, have been destroying its opponents all season. The Sabers have lost just one game all year and that was to No. 3-ranked Eastview (the top seed in Section 3AAA) in the first match of the season back on Sept.  1 (a 3-1 win).

Shakopee swept the Lakers during the Missota Conference season back on Oct. 8.

So the Lakers (23-4) will have to play flawless and hope the Sabers have an off night to pull off what would be a monster upset. The section title game is set for Nov. 7 at Chanhassen High School at 6 p.m.

Against Willmar, senior Kathryn Gaydos paced the Lakers' attack with 28 setting assists, to go along with nine digs and two blocks.

Senior Brittany Thompson had five kills, two aces and eight digs, while junior Mackenzie Remick had six kills and senior Sami Kemper had three kills and two blocks.

Senior Katelyn Berens led the Lakers in digs with 14, adding four ace serves. Senior Molly Branson added nine digs and three aces, while seniors Myah Holmquist and Ashley Flaschenriem each had four digs.

Complete section brackets are available at www.mshsl.org.