B-B-E Jaguars win volleyball playoff opener! Up next - an outstanding Upsala team

A very excited group of Jaguars high-five one another following their three-game win over Kimball tonight...their defense played particularly well in games one and four, when they held the Cubs to 13 and 14 points.
Becca Gruber aims high for an attack against the Cubs early in game four tonight...

The B-B-E Jaguars volleyball team advanced in the Sub-Section 5A-West playoffs with a 25-13, 21-25, 25-22, 25-14 win over the Kimball Area Cubs tonight in Belgrade. They take on Upsala (29-2) next Tuesday night in Belgrade in a semifinal round match.

In tonight's action against conference rival Kimball, the Jaguars came out on fire in game one's 25-13 win. Coach Weller commented about his team's play, "It started with our defense tonight. In that first game they played outstanding defense. It made for great passing and led to great play by our setters, Mariah and Brittany. I can't say enough about how well they played getting the ball to our hitters and keeping the tempo at a high pace."

The Cubs fought neck-and-neck with the Jaguars in the early stages of game two before pulling in front 19-16 on their way to a close 25-22 win.

In a pivotal game three, the Jaguars pulled out to leads of 8-6, 17-12, 22-17, 22-20 and 24-21 on their way to a 25-21 win.

In game four, the Jaguars held small leads of 5-3, 7-5 and 15-12 before going on an 8-0 run and and taking control down the stretch in a convincing 25-14 win.

Kimball finishes the season 13-14 overall, while the Jaguars improve to 23-7. Every season since 2003, the Jaguars have won 23 or more matches. Their win total in each season since 2003 has been: 25, 23, 28, 28, 27, 31, 27, 28 and in 2011 to be determined!

Upsala defeated Eden Valley-Watkins 25-21, 25-15, 25-23 tonight in the other quarterfinal round match of the Southwest pod in Section 5A.

Sub-Section 5A-West quarterfinal round results + other Section 5A scores:
Bertha-Hewitt 3, Browerville 0 (a mild upset; Browerville was the #2 seed in their pod)
Sebeka 3, Verndale 0
Upsala 3, Eden Valley-Watkins 0
Onamia 3, Pine-River Backus 0
Rush City 3, Ogilvie 1
East Central 3, Barnum 1
Nevis 3, Isle 0

Yes, even a couple Power Rangers had to make an appearance and cheer on the Jaguars to a victory tonight...
That was a colorful crew of characters mixed in with the B-B-E student section tonight!
(Video) The Jaguars earn a win in game three tonight against Kimball...they had outstanding hometown support from the fans, especially the B-B-E student body!

From earlier in game three tonight...

Check out the video while you can! On Saturday afternoon they'll be marked private.

Area volleyball playoff results tonight:
Sauk Centre 3, Minnewaska Area 0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-11)
Albany 3, Pierz 0
Little Falls 3, Holdingford 0
Melrose Area 3, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 1
Benson 3, Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 0
Marshall 3, LQPV 0
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 3, Parkers Prairie 1
Underwood 3, Battle Lake 0
Litchfield 3, New London-Spicer 0
St. Cloud Cathedral 3, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 0
Central MN Christian 3, Renville County West 2
MACCRAY 3, Lakeview 0

**By the way, the football game in Lester Prairie will be aired on Smooth Magic 107 FM in Glenwood. Thanks, D-Mac!