Prior Lake swept No. 3 Eagan in convincing fashion Sept. 11, earning a big South Suburban Conference home victory (25-19, 25-22, 25-14). The Lakers improved to 5-1 overall (2-0 in league play).

The Lakers also have a win over No. 2 Chaska, (a Section 2AAA foe) in five sets, along with sweeps over Chanhassen and Mankato West and a four-set win over a strong Rosemount team.

Prior Lake's one loss is five-sets in its season opener at Owatonna Aug. 21, which seems like just an aberration at this point.

Meanwhile, Eagan went into the Prior Lake match with one loss, that in three sets (2-1) to Class A power Bethlehem Academy in the Shakopee Invitational.

Eagan just could not handle the Lakers' powerful front line, which is led by juniors Ella Francis and Lara Schultz, who finished with 14 and 12 kills, respectively.

Francis leads the team through six matches with 87 kills, while Shultz has 77. Schultz leads in ace serves with 15. She had one against Eagan, while senior Sammi Pratt led with two, giving her 14 on the year.

Pratt also led in assists with 18, while sophomore Elle Veldman had 16. Senior Brittany Luethmers led in digs with 24, while ninth-grader CC McGraw had 17, followed by junior Olivia Spanton with 11.

Sophomore Anna Martin led in blocks with three, while Francis and McGraw both had two. Spanton and Martin also had six kills apiece.

The Lakers are back on the court Sept. 16 at home versus Apple Valley and will play at Lakeville North Sept. 18 in SSC matches at 7 p.m.

Prior Lake is sure to get some tough tests at the Eagle Invitational Sept. 19-20 in Apple Valley. Some of the top teams in the state will be there.

In Class 3A, No. 1 Eden Prairie, Chaska, Eagan, Prior Lake, No. 5 Lakeville South, No. 6 Hopkins and No. 8 Roseville are in the field. Bethlehem Academy (No. 1 in Class 1A) is as well, along with other strong programs like Waconia, Shakopee, Lakeville North and Alexandria.

To see the brackets, go to: http://s3.amazonaws.com/vnn-aws-sites/2352/files/2014/09/Eagle-Invite-Pairings-2014.pdf.