Lakeville volleyball tournament renamed for father of Bachman

Last update: October 7, 2008 - 7:31 AM

Always considered one of the top volleyball tournaments of the regular season, the Lake-ville North Invitational took on added importance last weekend.

In a move spearheaded by head coach Milan Mader, the school renamed the tournament the Lakeville North Todd L. Bachman Invitational, in honor of the father of former player Elisabeth (Wiz) Bachman who was attacked and killed while in Beijing for the Summer Olympics in August.

Bachman's wife, Barbara, who was injured in the attack, attended the tournament and hung medals on the players when it was over. The Bachmans are longtime supporters of the program.

Lakeville North won the tournament, defeating Shakopee 25-18, 23-23 in the championship match.

"It was emotional," Lakeville North assistant coach Doug Bergman said. "The fans gave the two teams in the finals a standing ovation. It was nice, but it was kind of bittersweet."

Wiz Bachman could not attend the tournament because she was traveling with her husband, U.S. men's Olympic head coach Hugh McCutcheon.

JIM PAULSEN