Panthers Win Chisholm Tourney

CHISHOLM, Minn— The South Ridge Panthers beat the Mt. Iron-Buhl Rangers 2-1 to take home the Championship title today at the Chisholm Tournament.

South Ridge started the day off playing Cherry. The Tigers came to play, but the Panthers pulled out a 2-0 win beating them 25-18 and 25-17. Senior Setter Mikayla Olesiak had 18 set assists. Senior Justice Janke would end the game with 8 kills and 8 digs, and Junior Mallory Thibault added 6 kills and 5 digs.

Next they would take on the Northeast Range Nighthawks in the semi-finals. Again Olesiak ended with 18 set assists. Senior Justice Janke led with 8 kills and 9 digs, followed by Junior Mallory Thibault with 6 kills and 8 digs, and Junior Lindsey Janke added 6 kills and 6 digs.  South Ridge won 25-22 and 25-12 and headed to the Championship game.

The Panthers jumped ahead early in the first championship match against the Rangers, but Mt. Iron-Buhl made a strong comeback and pulled away with the win 25-10. South Ridge came out strong the second game and took the win 25-11, sending it to a third tie-breaking game. It was a nail biter with each team trading points, but in the end it was the South Ridge Panthers that took home the win 15-11.  Mikayla Olesiak had 22 set assists and served 100% all day. Justice Janke led again with 15 kills and 9 digs, followed by Thibault with 7 kills and 9 digs. Krystal Karppinen played very strong defensively ending with 17 digs.

The Panthers increase their record to 9-1 and will take on Duluth Marshall next in a home game on Tuesday at 7 PM.