Volleyball: Tigers get top-seed Minneota in state quarterfinals

PINE RIVER — In her second season as head coach, Crysta Blake guided the Pine River-Backus Tigers back to the Class 1A State Tournament. The Tigers received the No. 8 seed and play top-seeded Minneota at 5 p.m. in the Class 1A State Quarterfinals Thursday, Nov. 12, at Grand Casino Arena. “I think we are ready for the challenge,” Blake said. “I think it’s all very appropriate and we knew that our first-round game would be a top opponent.” The Minneota Vikings are in their 16th state tournament since 2001. The Vikings have reached the state finals 10 times with four state titles to show for it. Minneota is 29-4 and swept its way through the Section 3-1A playoffs. “Minneota is an outstanding program and we respect that,” Blake said. “We will have our hands full with that team, but we are not going down there to just be happy to be on the court. We want to compete and see what we can do when we play our best volleyball.” PRB (19-9) earned the No.

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