Jaguars Clip Eagles Wings; Win Invite

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn - The Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars captured the championship of the 2010 Eagle Invitational tournament by defeating the Host Eden Prairie Eagles (12-25, 25-10, 16-14) in the final.

12 high level teams from Minnesota descended upon Eden Prairie High School Saturday. The Jaguars won their pool that included Chanhassen and North St. Paul. The Eagles prevailed as they went 2-0 in their pool which featured Moundsview and Perham. Waconia and Hill-Murray advanced from their pools to the championship bracket.

The Eagles (3-2), who were coming off an opening season loss at the hands of Waconia, were stretched again, this time by the Hill-Murray Pioneers. After dropping the first set 15-25, the Eagles fought back to win the second set 25-20.

Led by a balanced attack of Sarah Willhite, Claire Willeck, Ashley Alfonso, Dani Schultz, Ashley Snuggerrud, and Leesa Hutlstrand, the Eagles were able to hold the Pioneers at bay and captured the match with a 15-9 third set win. Libero Jamie Cairncross sparked the defensive end for the Eagles who won three straight after their loss to the Wildcats last Tuesday.

In the second semi-final, the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars qualified for second final as they battled the Waconia Wildcats in a tense match. It was a 25-18, 24-26, 15-13 grinder over the Waconia Wildcats. Haley Bodway and Kelly Wallock were fantastic on the attack. The key for the Jags (5-0) was fantastic defense and ball control led by Cassie Santiago setting up the final with the Eagles.

The Eagles are considered a top team in the State, and so are the Jaguars. The match lived up to its billing as it was the Eagles who were on their A game the first set as they finished the Jags 25-12. Fatigue had set in on the Jaguars who were playing back-to-back matches coming off the semi-finals.

The Jaguars didn't make any excuses and dug down to fight back the challenge of the Eagles. The blocking up front by Eliza Zachary and Emily Schadow stopped the Eagle attack and allowed the Jaguars Bodway to go to work. She delivered several key points on some huge kills in ctitial times while leading her team to the victory.

Up next for the Jaguars is a match with Robbinsdale Armstrong and head out the loaded Marshall Tournament. The Eagles will host Shakopee and travel to Eastview this week. For good measure, the Jaguars will be back in Eden Prairie for a re-match next week.

Other teams that participated in the tournament were Mayer Lutheran, Minneapolis Southwest, Alexandria, and Minnetonka.