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Both the Chisago Lakes and North Branch volleyball teams had drawn the fourth seed in their respective sections, and both took care of business easily in the first round over their fifth-seeded counterparts.

But, that also meant both of them drew the top seed in the section in their semifinals match up, and while both won a set, they eventually fell to opponents that would go on to win their section championships and earn a berth to state.

Chisago Lakes
The fourth seeded Wildcats traveled to Mahtomedi on Tuesday, November 1 to battle the Mahtomedi Zephyrs, who had just swept CL three weeks ago.
The Zephyrs started strong and won the first two sets 25-15, 25-17, putting CL on the brink of the end of their season.
But, the ‘Cats were able to fend off elimination for at least one set, topping Mahtomedi 25-22 in the third set. They weren’t able to capture  that momentum though and keep it rolling, as Mahtomedi blasted the ‘Cats 25-9 in the fourth set to end their season and move on to the section finals. The Zephyrs beat St. Paul Como Park in the finals to punch their ticket to state.

North Branch
The fourth seeded Vikings’ game went about the exact same as Chisago Lakes’.

North Branch drew the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks on Wednesday, November 2, and the Hawks were on fire to start the match, winning 25-13 in the opening set and 25-18 in the second set. North Branch wouldn’t give in, though, and stretched the third set out as long as they could, and eventually grabbed a thrilling win at 31-29. Alas, Rapids is one of the top ranked Class AA teams this year, and they proved it by regrouping and taking the fourth set 25-21 and ending NB’s season. The Hawks moved on to the section championship game and swept Cloquet to earn a bid to the state tournament, where ironically, they’ll play Mahtomedi in the first round.

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