by Andy Rogers
Thisweek newspapers

The Chaska Hawks have one loss this year.

One loss out of 29 matches.

That loss came on Sept. 24 in Apple Valley Invitational finals.

The Apple Valley Eagles defeated Chaska 25-16, 22-25 and 15-5 in the invite finals Sept. 23.

It was easily the highlight of Apple Valley's season and the only blemish on Chaska's 2005 season so far.

When it came time to avenge the loss, Chaska took advantage of the opportunity Nov. 1.

In Section 6AAA, the No. 4 seeded Apple Valley defeated Minneapolis Southwest and Prior Lake to get to the No. 1 seed Chaska in the semifinals Nov. 1 at Prior Lake.

In the first game, Apple Valley played right with Chaska. The two teams were tied at 11 all, but Chaska found some open floor and Apple Valley started to bobble its digs resulting in an 11-0 run for Chaska.

In the second game, Apple Valley hung in a little longer, but eventually lost 25-20.

The Eagles had a little more fight left and got one better in the second game, but one more point wasn't going to do it as they lost 25-21.

Apple Valley had little answer for Chaska's hard hitting and height advantage.

"Once they get the ball in the middle, which they pretty much did all game, they can do what they want,î Apple Valley coach Walt Weaver said. "We did a decent job trying to stop them, but you have to play pretty mistake-free volleyball to win.î

There was no room for error for the Eagles, and sometimes a team is just better than you.

"Our kids did a good job of scoring,î Weaver said. "It's going to take some team that can really block (Chaska) to win. They're going to make their mistakes and they did, but that's never enough to win. You got to score.î

The team will lose four players to graduation ñ Deidra Dirth, Andre Thelen, Allison Kunde and Kathy Choh.

Everyone else should return, including coach Weaver.

"I like my job here,î Weaver said. "We've had a very fun season and they've had a great year.î

Apple Valley finishes the season with a 21-7 record overall. The team finished 6-4 in the Lake Conference tied with Eagan for fourth place.

Andy Rogers is at sportswriter.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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