North wins another gritty Lakeville clash

Never has being pushed to the edge felt so satisfying.

Defending Class 3A state champion Lakeville North, seeded third, is on its way back to state after upsetting No. 1 seed and top-ranked Lakeville South 25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13 in the Section 3 volleyball championship at Simley High School.

It's the second time this season the teams have gone five games, with North coming out on top in both. The losses are the only two of the season for South (26-2).

"Both teams in terms of their competitiveness and heart deserve to be in the state tournament," North coach Steve Willingham said. "I feel for our town. What a great night for Lakeville."

Just a sophomore, Alyssa Goehner is considered one of the best players in the state, and she did her part for the Panthers with a team-high 20 kills and six blocks in the victory. But it was a classmate who got the biggest cheers.

Sami Flattum, primarily a bench player during last season's state title run, executed a solo block on match point.

Fifteen minutes after the match, the back side of her left wrist still had a faint pink glow to it -- a badge of honor just as much as her section championship medal.

Flattum also had 12 kills and hit .688 for the match. Nicole Latzig had 15 kills for the Panthers and a team-high seven blocks.