APPLE VALLEY – The Marshall volleyball team took first place at the Eagle invite in Apple Valley over the weekend. The only Class AAA team in the tournament, the Tigers defeated four Class AAAA opponents on their path to the championship.

The Tigers did not drop a single set in the tournament They defeated Lakeville North, the only team to hand the Tigers a loss this year, in the championship match 25-17, 25-19.

Champlin Park faced off against Marshall in the semifinals, which the Tigers won 25-21, 25-22. They broke up Northfield’s undefeated season in the second round 25-14, 25-19 and beat Minnetonka 25-13, 25-22.

Leah Jones led the team in kills throughout the tournament with 36, while Caitlyn Christenson had team-highs in digs and serving aces, with 48 and seven. Brielle Riess finished the tournament with six blocks.

The win marks the Tigers’ first championship win at the Eagle Invite in 18 years, according to a release from Marshall.

“We knew going in that we’d have to be ready to compete or we were going to get knocked around pretty good,” Marshall head coach Dan Westby said. “It’s been a while wince we’ve won this tournament. It’s regarded as the most difficult tournament of the year.”

The Tigers (15-1) will play their next game tonight at 7:15 p.m. when they host Mankato East.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Kills: Marshall (Jones 36; Randi Wendorff 22; Riess 20)

Digs: Marshall (Christenson 48; Lexie Bednarek 34; Jones 30; Kennedy Drake 23)

Set assists: Marshall (Lauren Wherry 88; Christenson 6)

Serving (aces): Christenson 7; Grace Ehlers 7; Drake 5)