Volleyball: Tigers take Barb Neprud Invite crown

The Pine River-Backus Tiger volleyball team won four games to claim the championship at the 32nd annual Barb Neprud Invitational in Crosby on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The Tigers beat Upsala, Moose Lake-Willow River, Fergus Falls and Onamia to claim the title.

"After the week or so we've had, after coming up short in some deciding games of matches, I am super proud of my team for responding yet again," coach Josh Hirschy said. "We've played 11 times in 10 days and have been on the short end of some emotionally and physically draining games, so today definitely felt good to see the girls get it done, even though our fuel tanks were red-lining."

Rylie Hirschey registered 71 set assists and Alyssa Semmler cranked 42 kills for the Tigers. Gabby Rainwater had 23 kills and a team-high 44 digs in the tournament.

Pine River-Backus def. Upsala 2-0

Pine River-Backus def. Moose Lake-Willow River 2-0

Pine River-Backus def. Fergus Falls 2-1

Pine River-Backus def. Onamia 2-0

Pine River-Backus statistics

Alyssa Semmler 13 digs, 42 kills, 15 blocks, 1 ace serve

Anna Downie 2 set assists, 5 digs, 2 kills, 1 block, 2 ace serve

Anna Felthous 11 digs, 11 kills, 1 block

Bailey Wynn 40 digs, 29 kills, 5 blocks, 3 ace serves

Ellie Smith 4 digs, 5 ace serves

Emma Barchus 20 digs, 3 ace serves

Gabby Rainwater 44 digs, 23 kills, 1 ace serve

Jaime Johnson 2 set assists, 4 digs, 6 kills, 6 blocks

Olivia Adkins 13 digs

Rylie Hirschey 71 set assists, 31 digs, 3 kills, 5 blocks, 2 ace serves

Tigers swept by Park Rapids

Bailey Wynn had nine kills and 20 digs as the Tigers swept Park Rapids 3-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Rainwater tallied six kills and 10 digs for the Tigers, while Hirschey had 11 digs and 21 set assists.

Park Rapids 25 25 25

Pine River-Backus 19 21 12

Pine River-Backus statistics

Alyssa Semmler 6 kills, 3 blocks, 5 digs

Anna Downie 1 dig, 1 ace

Anna Felthous 2 kills, 7 digs

Bailey Wynn 9 kills, 20 digs

Emma Barchus 1 kill, 1 set assist, 7 digs

Gabby Rainwater 6 kills, 10 digs

Jaime Johnson 2 kills, 1 block, 2 digs

Olivia Adkins 5 digs, 1 ace

Rylie Hirschey 2 kills, 21 set assists, 11 digs

Overall: PRB 3-4. Next: Pine River-Backus at Nevis 7:30 p.m. Thursday.