No one can accuse Lakeville North of ducking the competition.

Eleven of the Panthers' first 18 matches this season have been against ranked opponents, including all nine of the other teams ranked (North is fifth this week) in this week's Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association.

A 14-4 overall record appears against one of the toughest schedules in the state appears to have North prepared for the stretch drive and a deep playoff run.

The Panthers have enjoyed success so far with a number of new faces in the lineups while others have taken on larger roles than they've had in the past.

In addition to that success, head coach Jackie Richter has marked a pair of milestones, winning her 100th match at North and her 300th career match in 16 seasons as a head coach.

Senior libero and co-captain Halle Wolfe, an NCAA Division I-commit to Drake, entered the season as the team's only senior with extensive playing experience, having played every set since her freshman season.

Averaging a team-leading 4.73 digs per set, to go with a .925 serving percentage and a .922 receiving percentage, Wolfe has provided both the on-court and off-court leadership expected of a fourth-year starter.

Junior outside hitter Maddy Hornyak, who played a supporting role last season, has had to fill a large role with North's top three hitters having graduated.

A .250 hitting percentage and 4.86 kills per set have established her as one of the state's top hitters. A six-rotation player, she also leads the team with a .941 serving percent and 24 aces, and is second in digs per set (3.22) and has a .921 receiving percentage.

The addition of sophomore setter Abby Jandro has also been a key to the team's success.

In her first season as a Panthers, she is averaging 9.63 assists per set and has 46 kills with just four errors for a .344 hitting percentage.

Another addition to the varsity team is senior outside hitting Savannah Polzin, who has bided her time with the North junior varsity the past two seasons.

She has joined the varsity squad this season and is second in kills per set (2.24) and has added 15 total blocks and 13 service aces.

The Panthers will need a complete team effort as they enter the month of October, with their first match being a showdown at No. 1 Eagan, which has appeared in six consecutive state championship matches, winning three.

The Wildcats defeated the Panthers 25-19, 25-21 on Sept. 21 at the Apple Valley Eagle Invitational and will provide a measuring stick for North as the team heads into its final 10 matches of the season.

Five of those matches will come in their own Bachman Invitational, which also features No. 2 Northfield and No. 7 Lakeville South. Those two, along with North, will likely be the top three teams when the Section 1AAA playoffs begin later in October.

The Panthers will be looking to avenge an earlier loss to Northfield, in the semifinals of the Southwest Minnesota Challenge, and build upon two wins over South in order to return to the state tournament.

But, there's a long ways to go before that happens and North will need a strong run of games in the next month if they expect to make that return trip.