The Lakeville South boys' tennis program continues to accomplish firsts since the school opened eight years ago. The most recent feat: rallying for a 4-3 victory over crosstown-rival Lakeville North last Thursday.

"Now they have accomplished their life goal ... beating Lakeville North for the first time," Cougars coach Doug Roseth said. "The strategy was simple — play to our doubles strength and have a little luck bounce our way in singles."

Lakeville North swept the No. 2, 3 and 4 singles matches in straight sets, taking a quick 3-0 lead.

The Cougars responded by winning all three doubles matches in straight sets, evening it three-all. The tandems winning in doubles were seniors Fernan Zimmerman and Cash Rodamaker at No. 1, junior Mitch Johnson and sophomore Spencer Linse at No. 2, and freshman Tyler Scharber and seventh-grader Trevor Tatge at No. 3.

That meant the deciding match would be determined at the top singles position. Lakeville South eighth-grader Chase Roseth pulled out a 7-6, 6-1 victory to give the Cougars the come-from-behind victory.

"We have had a lot of firsts in the past year," Doug Roseth said. "First postseason victory. First time we sent a singles player and doubles team to the sectional semifinals. And, we won our first tournament this year in Owatonna."

New coach named

Burnsville recently hired Kari Raymond as its varsity volleyball coach. She is also a math teacher at Rosemount Middle School.

"Burnsville High School feels very honored and excited to have hired such an outstanding candidate in Kari Raymond," Burnsville athletic director Jeff Marshall said in a press release. "Kari brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to our program. We are thrilled that she will be able to continue the outstanding tradition of Burnsville volleyball."

Raymond previously coached at Bloomington Kennedy and with the Mizuno Northern Lights Club team.

Top performances

• Two-time defending Class 2A boys' state pole vault champion Lee Bares of Lakeville South won the event in the Hamline Elite Meet on Friday. The senior posted a winning vault of 15 feet. He won the state title at a height of 15 feet, 6 inches a year ago.

• At the same meet, Eagan junior Emerald Egwim won the girls' 200-meter dash in 25.43 seconds. She finished eighth in the Class 2A state meet last year with a time of 25.85.