Games to watch: 9/18-9/23

We are deep enough into the season now where teams are starting to separate themselves into certain tiers. With roughly a month left in regular season play before the postseason starts up, most of the lineup tweaking and adjusting has been done and now it's about fine-tuning everything while ideally establishing some rhythm and momentum down the final stretch. There's still a good amount of time left in the season, this is a good time of year to be playing against top-level competition because it can provide a barometer for both parties. With that in mind, here are some of the top games throughout the state on the schedule this week: Monday 9/18 Bethlehem Academy vs. Kasson-Mantorville Don't let BA's 5-5 record fool you, the Cardinals are very much one of the contenders in Class A. A benefit they have that few others in the state are afforded is the ability to go out and play an incredibly grueling schedule with hopes that it will harden them for the postseason. Losses to Lakeville North, Stewartville, Marshall and Shakopee all may ultimately help the Cardinals late in the season. The KoMets play an extremely difficult schedule too, though theirs comes thanks to what has to be considered the best 'small-school' conference in the state in the Hiawatha Valley League. K-M's got three losses, two of which were at the hands of state-ranked opponents. BA is ranked No. 4 in Class A while K-M is ranked No. 7 in AA. Tuesday 9/19 Hopkins vs. Minnetonka Hopkins and Minnetonka is always a great rivalry no matter the circumstances, but it'll be especially juicy Tuesday as both teams head into the match ranked in the top-10 in the Class AAA poll. The Royals are ranked No. 8 with a very good 9-2 record while the Skippers are ranked No. 9 with an impressive 8-3 record. Katelyn Lannom is one of the top middle hitters in the state and she'll key a defense that will have to try to slow down all-state setter Tara Lee and the Royals bevy of talented hitters. Stewartville vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo Tuesday's match between Stewartville and Kenyon-Wanamingo pits the team that is favored to win the Hiawatha Valley League with the team that's won the last two regular season HVL titles. The Tigers enter the week ranked No. 2 in the Class AA Coaches Poll and kicks off a huge three-match run that includes Kasson-Mantorville and Hayfield with the Knights, a team that has become a model of consistency in Class AA. Champlin Park vs. Elk River The two best teams in what is one of the top conferences in the state, Champlin Park and Elk River square off in what should be a very entertaining matchup. The Rebels don't appear to have taken any step back from last season as their only loss is to top-ranked Lakeville North. The Elks look like a team very much on the rise and a win over a state power like Champlin could be monumental. Northfield vs. Rochester Century Arguably the two best teams in the Big 9, Rochester Century and Northfield head into Tuesday with just one loss apiece. In what looks to be a hotly contested section, this game could have big section seeding implications as well. Rosemount vs. Lakeville North Lakeville North is ranked No. 1 in the Class AAA Coaches Poll with an undefeated record and impressive wins over Minnetonka, Bethlehem Academy, Champlin Park, Prior Lake and many others. Rosemount has four losses on the year; three of which have come at the hands of elite Class AAA schools so this could be a sneaky good South Suburban Conference matchup. Wednesday 9/19 Farmington vs. Eagan How about Farmington's week? The Tigers go to Rochester Mayo Monday, then host Prior Lake Tuesday. They get to wrap up their week early with a Wednesday tilt with arguably the best team in the state as they host Eagan. Thursday 9/20 Norwood-Young America vs. Belle Plaine Norwood-Young America looks like one of the surprise teams in Class AA, heading into the week with an impressive 13-1 record. The Raiders have a number of imprssive wins already on their resume and will get an opportunity to add another if they can beat Belle Plaine. The Tigers might not be the juggernaut they were but it's still a team with no shortage of talent. North Branch vs. St. Michael-Albertville North Branch heads into the week ranked No. 6 in Class AA and will get a stiff test in STMA which is 7-3 on the year with losses to top Class AAA squads. These are the two best teams in the Mississippi 8. Stephen-Argyle vs. Sacred Heart Two of the top teams in Section 8A square off in what should be one of the better outstate matches of the week. Stephen-Argyle has just one loss on the year and will certainly contend for a spot in the state tournament. Friday/Saturday 9/21-22 Class A and AA Showcase tournaments and Eagle Invitational It might be the best weekend slate of volleyball the entire season as a who's who of state powers converge on Burnsville and Apple Valley. The Nos. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 ranked teams in Class AAA, the No. 3 team in class AA and the No. 4 team in Class A are all playing at the Eagle Invite as Lakeville North and Eagan headline another loaded field. The Class A and AA Showcase tournaments at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse should be just as juicy. Six ranked teams at each class level including defending state champions Maple Lake and Mayer Lutheran headline the day. There will be more on these tournaments later in the week so be sure to check back for more preview info.