Volleyball: Shakopee in a class by itself

Only one team has won at least three consecutive big-school titles: Armstrong won five in a row from 1980 through '84. Since the three-class system was instituted in 1999, no 3A team has won more than two in a row. Central Minnesota Christian won three in a row in the smallest class from 1998 (the last year of two classes) through 2000, and Tracy-Milroy was the 1A champ for three consecutive years, 1994 through '96.

Shakopee (29-0) is well-deserving of the No. 1 seed. After losing one game in a 3-1 victory over Eastview to open the season, top-ranked Shakopee didn't drop another game until last week's 3-2 Section 2 championship match against second-ranked Chaska. The second seed in the tournament is Burnsville, followed by Wayzata and Stillwater.

If Shakopee and Burnsville meet in Saturday's championship match, it will provide a matchup of future Gophers. Shakopee's Ashley Wittman, the two-time Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, and Burnsville's Tori Dixon are two of the most dominating front-line players in state history.

The 3A field has plenty of new blood this year, with five teams that did not qualify for state in 2008. Three of them -- Centennial, Stillwater and Farmington -- are making their first appearances at state.

Marshall was a Class 3A power before declining enrollment moved the Tigers into 2A. They were 2A state champs in 2007, lost to Jordan in last year's title match, and enter this week's tournament as a top seed.

Marshall -- which is making its 20th trip to state -- is ranked No. 2 in Class 2A and knocked off No. 1 Jackson County Central in the Section 3 playoffs.

Second-seeded Delano has had an outstanding season, losing only to Marshall, Farmington and Class 1A power Bethlehem Academy.

The third and fourth seeds are LeSueur-Henderson and New London-Spicer.

Hibbing, which will meet New London-Spicer in today's quarterfinals, is at state for the 23rd time.

This is an odd-numbered year, which is good news for Bethlehem Academy of Faribault. The Cardinals were champs in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and placed second in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Bethlehem Academy is the top seed, followed by Minneota, Deer River and Nevis.

As is always the case, Bethlehem Academy played a schedule filled with 3A and 2A opponents, including state tournament teams Shakopee, Marshall and Delano.

Another future Gophers athlete will compete in the 1A tournament.

On Wednesday, Sari Noga of Parkers Prairie signed a letter of intent to play basketball for coach Pam Borton at Minnesota.