VOLLEYBALL Pine River-Backus returns 13 letterwinners

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

TPINE RIVER he Pine RiverBackus Tigers volleyball team hopes 13 will be a lucky number this fall.

That’s because PR-B returns 13 letterwinners from a squad that reached the Class A state consolation semifinals last season.

“With a great offseason of work, we believe the girls have put themselves in a position to be successful this fall,” said PR-B coach Josh Hirschey, who is starting his 11th season with the Tigers.

“We have competition for some positions, and in order to be successful, the athletes and parents involved will need to be willing to accept the roles that each athlete earns as the season progresses,” he said.

Returning letterwinners include Kassidy Bristow, Abby Gilbert, Raena Hanneken, Kaitlyn Rilea, Ariana Burns, Caylei Johnson, Ella Dahl, Callie Norman, Mimi Bueckers, Lily Barchus, Autumn Burns, Leah Eveland and Ayla Richards.

Others who could contribute are Aubrey Wirtz, Ella Brewer and Margaret Crimmins.

Last season, the Tigers were 6-1 in the Northland Conference and 22-11 overall. PR-B then defeated Nevis 3-1 to win the Section 5A title.

The Tigers lost to eventual state champion Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 3-0 in the state quarterfinals

JOSH HIRSCHEY, PR-B

VOLLEYBALL COACH and were then edged by West Central Area 3-2 in the consolation semifinals.

“In terms of performance on the court, our goal is to be healthy, steadily improve and be at our best in time for the section tournament in late October,” Hirschey said.

Assistant coaches for the Tigers, who opened the season at the Rush City tournament Friday, Aug. 23, are Nicole Hirschey, Liz Dahl and Ben Kinser.

Pete Mohs is the Northern Lakes Group publisher of eight Forum Communications newspapers, including the Echo Journal and Brainerd Dispatch. Contact him at 218-855-5855 or pete. mohs@brainerddispatch. com.