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Twin Cities south metro prep sports highlights of 2015

Staff writer Ron Haggstrom looks back at some of the best of high school sports in the south metro in 2015.

January 3, 2016 at 12:34AM

Lakeville North players mob goaltender Ryan Edquist after winning the 2015 Class 2A state boys’ hockey title. The Panthers finished 31-0. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1. Lakeville North's first title is one of perfection

The initial boys' hockey state championship for Lakeville North turned out perfectly. The team finished 31-0 and defeated Duluth East 4-1 in the Class 2A finals before an announced crowd of 19,495 at Xcel Energy Center. The Panthers became the 17th team in tournament history to go undefeated and the first large-class team to accomplish the feat since the 1992-93 Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars. Lakeville North was runner-up in the state tournament the previous season.

2. Apple Valley basketball returns to No. 1

The Apple Valley boys' basketball squad won the Class 4A state crown for the second time in three years. The Eagles topped previously undefeated Champlin Park 64-61 in the finals at Target Center. They also won the title in 2013, defeating Park Center 74-57 for their first title in program history.

3. Eagan makes volleyball finals routine

Eagan's volleyball program won its sixth state championship, and second in the past three years, by defeating Prior Lake 25-17, 25-23, 15-25, 16-25, 15-13 in the Class 3A final at Xcel Energy Center. The Wildcats' other titles came in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2013.

4. Apple Valley, Simley continue dominance

Apple Valley's wrestling program won its 10th consecutive Class 3A team championship, topping St. Michael-Albertville 36-30 at Xcel Energy Center. It was the program's 23rd title. In Class 2A, Simley won its seventh team championship in the past eight years, defeating Albert Lea 34-21 for the title. It marked the 11th championship in school history for the Spartans.

5. eastview strikes in final at-bat

Courtney Wissbaum scored on Julia Luciano's double with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving Eastview a 2-1 triumph over Anoka in the championship of the Class 3A softball tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato. The victory gave Eastview its second title in program history. The Lightning also won the championship in 2003.

Honorable mention

Teams (state champions)

Belle Plaine volleyball; Eagan girls' soccer; Eagan and St. Thomas Academy boys' swimming; Lakeville South girls' track

Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498

Apple Valley’s Tre Jones rushed toward the bench to celebrate winning the Class 4A state basketball championship. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Eastview outfielder Courtney Wissbaum, front, and pitcher Kerrigan Hoshaw celebrated beating Anoka for the Class 3A softball title. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Eagan rushed the court after winning an intense five-set match against Prior Lake for the Class 3A state volleyball championship. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)