Marshall establishing itself as a Class 3A power again is no surprise. Making a case to be Minnesota’s top team regardless of class was a tall task, though.

The Tigers, last year’s 3A state runner-up, proved worthy of that distinction by winning their 32-team Southwest Minnesota Challenge last weekend for the first time since 2009, which included a win over defending Class 4A champion Lakeville South.

The SW Minnesota Challenge has been going on for 19 years, but Marshall and Northfield are the only non-4A schools to win the tournament.

“We have a lot of experience back, and that helps,” Marshall coach Dan Westby said. “We’re pleased that the metro schools come out and play. They’ve certainly dominated the tournament over the years, but we also have competitive [Class 1A-3A] schools as well. There are a number of schools who could’ve won. We just happened to get hot at the right time.”

Marshall’s win against a rising Chanhassen squad in the tournament championship made sure the new No. 1 team wouldn’t be coming from the biggest class.

“They’re a really good team,” Lakeville South coach Steve Willingham said. “They had seven unforced errors in the match against us [in two sets]. Not many teams are going to get beat doing that.”

The Minnesota Top 25

1. Marshall (12-0). Previous rank: 6

No Minnesota team had bigger wins last week than the Tigers after taking down Lakeville South and Chanhassen to win their host tournament.

2. Chanhassen (7-2). Previous rank: 7

The Storm lost to Marshall for the second time this season in the SW Minnesota Challenge championship match, but they upset previous No. 2 Lakeville North.

3. Lakeville North (9-1). Previous rank: 2

The Panthers started the season 7-0 before falling to Chanhassen. They bounced back vs. rival Lakeville South and survived Chaska in five sets Tuesday.

4. Lakeville South (6-2). Previous rank: 1

The Cougars opened the season 5-0, but they lost back-to-back matches to Marshall and rival Lakeville North before triumphing in a battle at Stillwater on Tuesday.

5. East Ridge (7-2). Previous rank: 4

The Raptors gave Eagan its first loss last week to win the Shakopee Invitational championship, but they were swept Tuesday at Champlin Park.

6. Eagan (7-1). Previous rank: 3

The Wildcats opened the season 7-0 before falling to East Ridge after dominating in the first set of the match in the Shakopee Invite final.

7. Champlin Park (7-2). Previous rank: 12

The Rebels bounced back from a loss to Class 1A power Russell-Tyler-Ruthton by upsetting East Ridge at home.

8. Delano (8-1). Previous rank: 9

The Tigers opened with a 5-0 record before falling to Lakeville North. But they bounced back nicely by beating Maple Grove and Wayzata.

9. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (10-1). Previous rank: 10

The Red Knights were 6-0 this season before running into Lakeville South in the SW Minnesota Challenge.

10. Maple Grove (6-3). Previous rank: 8

Two of Maple Grove’s three losses this season came at the hands of Chanhassen, one of the state’s hottest teams.

11. Stewartville (7-1). Previous rank: 17

Remind us if you’ve heard this before: Stewartville was undefeated until losing to Lakeville South.

12. Byron (5-1). Previous rank: 19

The Bears suffered their first loss of the season, but they took fellow Class 3A power Stewartville to five sets last week.

13. Roseville Area (7-2). Previous rank: 13

The Raiders have been a formidable foe this season for several top teams, which included beating Centennial in a five-set thriller Tuesday.

14. Rogers (6-0). Previous rank: 15

The Royals haven’t had the most difficult schedule, but they remain undefeated after sweeping Anoka on Tuesday.

15. Prior Lake (5-4). Previous rank: 5

The Lakers won five straight matches this season, but then suffered three straight losses in the SW Minnesota Challenge.

16. Hawley (3-0). Previous rank: 18

Defending Class 2A champion Hawley is just getting started with the schedule this season.

17. Southwest Christian (5-4). Previous rank: 21

The Stars finished in third place in the Shakopee Invite after wins against Willmar and Roseville.

18. Cretin-Derham Hall (4-0). Previous rank: 25

The Raiders haven’t played the toughest schedule, but conference play starts soon enough.

19. Stillwater (2-3). Previous rank: NR

The Ponies had one of the toughest early home schedules with losses to Eagan, Lakeville North and Lakeville South, but they did beat Centennial.

20. Sauk-Rapids Rice (9-1). Previous rank: NR

The Storm started the season 8-0 with wins vs. St. Michael-Albertville and Willmar before losing their first match.

21. Willmar (5-4). Previous rank: 16

Loss to Marshall in a rematch of last year’s state title game was tough to swallow, but they turned around quickly.

22. Wayzata (6-4). Previous: NR

The Trojans have lost to some quality opponents, but they also have nice wins vs. Prior Lake and small-class power Mayer Lutheran.

23. Mayer Lutheran (7-3). Previous rank: 23

The defending Class 1A champions have lost twice to Benilde-St. Margaret’s but fared well vs. other big-class opponents.

24. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton (7-4). Previous rank: NR

The No. 3 team in Class 1A by coaches beat Champlin Park and avenged a loss to Minneota this year.

25. Minneota (7-2). Previous rank: 24

The Class 1A runner-up team from last season has split matches with Russell-Tyler-Ruthton already this season.