Eagan Volleyball Wins Thriller Over Apple Valley

For the second time in three matches, the Eagan volleyball team was stretched to five games. And, for the second time, they emerged victorious.

Taylr McNeil had 33 kills and the Wildcats rallied to beat Apple Valley 16-25, 27-25, 31-33, 25-21, 15-7 Tuesday night to remain atop the conference standings.

"They're a tough team. They never stopped playing," said Eagan coach Kathy Gillen.

McNeil had the big kill total, but co-captain Sarah Linder said this was a good team win. “We have a good overall team. Our passing is really good and our middles and the right side are such good hitters too, so it’s not just Taylr. That really balances it out.”

Trailing 24-20 in game two, the Wildcats (15-3, 6-0 South Suburban Conference) staved off four game points and went on to a 27-25 win to even the match. Eagan had five chances to win game three, but each time Apple Valley (8-10, 3-3) held off defeat before winning the game 33-31.

Down 16-12 in the fourth game following some sloppy play, things looked bleak, but the Wildcats again rallied, scoring seven of the final 10 points that game for a 25-21 win.

“With these players, we know we’re never out of it,” Gillen said.

A kill by McNeil gave Eagan an 8-5 lead in the final game, and it was Apple Valley that looked weary. A pair of aces by Cassie Weinberg and another McNeil kill pushed the lead to 13-6 before a tip by Linder found the floor for a 15-7 win.

“We wanted the win,” Linder said. “We knew we had to do it.”

Eagan returns home at 7 p.m. Thursday for a match with Rosemount. The Irish (7-7, 1-5) were beaten 3-1 by Eastview Tuesday.