After getting off to a slow start, the Park Rapids volleyball team has rebounded to reach the .500 mark.
The Panthers, who opened the season with five losses, defeated Crosby-Ironton Thursday and claimed runner-up honors at Saturday's Pine and Lakes Invitational at Pine River-Backus and Pequot Lakes to improve to 6-6 on the season.
Park Rapids improved to 2-0 in Mid-State Conference matches with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 win at Crosby Thursday. At Saturday's 12-team tournament, the Panthers defeated Onamia (25-20, 25-11), Blackduck (25-9, 25-12) and Pine River-Backus (25-21, 25-27, 15-13) to reach the title match. The Panthers dropped a 25-14, 22-25, 15-10 decision to Sebeka in the finals.
Molly Aukes' team, which hosted Menahga Tuesday night, will travel to Thief River Falls Thursday night.
Panthers sweep Rangers
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Hannah Wolff's six kills and Megan Norby's six ace serves led the Panthers past Crosby-Ironton.
Shelby Weckwerth and Wolff had four ace serves each, Jenny Palm had 16 set assists, Norby had five kills and Weckwerth had 17 digs for the Panthers, who won their third straight match in three games.
Panthers reach title match
Norby (33) and Wolff (20) combined for 53 kills and Palm served eight aces and had 53 set assists in leading the Panthers to runner-up honors at the Pine and Lakes Invitational.
Norby and Wolff combined for 13 kills and Hailey Lundin served four aces in leading the Panthers past Onamia.
Palm and Shannon Taylor served three aces each and Norby had nine kills to spark the Panthers past Blackduck.
Norby served seven aces and 13 points and had 12 kills in leading the Panthers past PR-B. Olivia Vaadeland had four solo blocks and Weckwerth had 15 digs to lead the defense in that match.
Wolff's seven kills, Norby's three ace serves and five kills, and Weckwerth's 15 digs led the Panthers in the loss to Sebeka.
