The No. 15-ranked  South Wasco County High Redsides (22-10) won an OSAA Class 1A volleyball first round state playoff game 3-0 over the Mountain West League champion Triangle Lake High Lakers (15-4) Wednesday at Triangle Lake High School in Blachly (near Eugene).
The Redsides, guided by second-year Coach Shelley Iverson, advanced to a Nov. 2 second round road matchup against the defending state champion Crane High Mustangs (26-3), who are unbeaten (26-0) versus 1A teams. Crane advanced to the second round following a 3-0 first round home win Wednesday over the Crosspoint Christian High Warriors (11-12).
"The girls played amazing and they all came out ready to play and hit hard and they all served really well and their passing was great," said Iverson. "It was a great game for us and we just had a pretty impressive performance. They kind of got their mojo back and the girls really played their hearts out. It's going to be a tough match with Crane, but if the girls play like they did tonight, then we'll definitely give them (Mustangs) a run for their money."
The Redsides are making their seventh consecutive state playoff appearance and they're hoping to reach the eight-team state tournament for the first time since 2017. The winner of Saturday's contest will advance to the Class 1A state tournament quarterfinals Nov. 8-9 at Ridgeview High School in Redmond.
Sherman loses to St. Paul
The Sherman High Huskies (13-15) lost an OSAA Class 1A volleyball first round state playoff game 3-0 to the No. 5-ranked Casco League champion St. Paul High Buckaroos (21-7) Wednesday at St. Paul High School.
For the Huskies, guided by first-year Coach Caitlin Cruickshank, the loss concluded their season and it marked the final game of their Sherman High School volleyball career for seniors Taylor Payne and Bailey Coelsch.
"The girls played really well, but St. Paul showed that there's a good reason they're ranked No. 5," said Cruickshank.
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