Jaguars volleyball wins 12th straight playoff opener, beats Kimball in four games to move on in sub-sections

In their second tough battle with conference rival Kimball Area in the past two weeks, the Jaguars volleyball team eliminated the Cubs from playoffs with a 3-1 win tonight on the home court. Games one and two were won by the Jaguars 25-17, 25-13 before Kimball took game three in a tight 25-22 battle. The Jaguars put the hammer down in game four, winning 25-6 to improve to 24-2 overall heading into the sub-section semi-finals.

Since 1994 (17 seasons), the Jaguars have won 15 playoff openers, including their last 12 in a row.

Up next: a second home match for the Sub-Section 5A-West playoffs, when they host #2-seeded Upsala, next Tuesday night beginning at 8:01pm. Upsala, who defeated #3 seed Osakis tonight 3-0, is the 2010 Prairie Conference champion (10-0). They dethroned three-time defending champion Osakis this year, winning their first conference title since 2006.

Upsala was swept out of the sub-section playoffs in the quarterfinals last season by the Jaguars. The Cardinals have a much better punch on the volleyball court in 2010, earning a 23-1-1 overall record thus far and a #15 state ranking in the final regular season Class A state rankings (Oct. 18).

Section 5A volleyball results tonight:
Nevis 3, Onamia 1 (Onamia finishes 13-14-1)
Braham 3, Rush City 1
Sebeka 3, Browerville 0
East Central 3, Barnum 1
Upsala 3, Osakis 0

**Three important scheduling notes for the Jaguars...Glenwood's Smooth Magic 107 FM will be carrying the football game on Saturday night in Lester Prairie (6:45pm pre-game) as well as next Tuesday's volleyball match at home (6:45pm pre-match). Check out the Smooth Magic 107 website to see all the details and to learn about how to listen in to their coverage through the internet: http://www.smoothmagic107.com

Bright and early tomorrow morning, Saturday, Smooth Magic will air an interview with Jaguars volleyball coach Kevin Weller beginning at 7:30am. Dave McClurg talked to Coach Weller on Thursday afternoon this week.

...I just noticed this on Minnesota-scores.net, not thinking it's true at this point! It would be an upset for the ages if it actually happened...

...and indeed, it's not true, at least according to the MSHSL website. There, the Section 3A brackets show Minneota winning 25-20, 25-12, 22-25, 25-20 over K-M-S. Though I have to credit the Fighting Saints (a .500 team) for at least getting one game from the #1 state-ranked Vikings.

Minneota (26-3) will take on #4 seed Maccray on Monday night at Southwest State University in the Sub-Section 3A-North semi-finals. Maccray (15-13) beat #5 seed Central Minnesota Christian School 30-28,25-22,15-25,25-14 tonight. CMCS finishes a fine season 18-12.

This Jaguars sports playoff update is brought to you by: