The Tigers play Chatfield in the 1st round of the state tournament Thursday.
The Tigers have played at the Xcel Energy Center the last couple years, so a return this year certainly helped them feel right at home.
They played the 2nd seeded Gophers, and it was a battle early on. Both teams looked to have shaken off any jitters early. Chatfield had taken an early lead, but Rush City kept themselves within a couple of points from tying the set. As the set wore on the Gophers were able to make a few more big plays than Rush and won the set 25-20.
The Tigers were able to score first in the 2nd set and even gotten out to a 3-0 lead. That however was short lived as the Gophers scored four unanswered points to take the lead. But Rush City was not about to let their deficit grow as they quickly tied the set. The rest of the set was back and forth neither side able to grow a lead more than two points. The Tigers looked to begin to pull away late in the set but the Gophers refused to give in. Eventually the Tigers were able to grab the final few points needed to win the set 26-24.
The third set saw Chatfield get out to an early lead and they continued to pile on the points. For Rush City they kept themselves in it but were unable to score multiple points in a row which eventually lead to the Gophers running away with set 3 25-12.
The Tigers knew this could be the final set and came out with a new sense of confidence. They could've easily hung their heads and conceded but they fought back and picked each other up. While the Tigers trailed early once again, they continued to show their resilience and as the set wore on they were able to mount a small comeback. Sadly, it was too little too late as Chatfield finished off the set 25-16.
This is not the end of the state tournament run for Rush, they'll just now play in the consolation bracket. They'll play against St. Croix Lutheran Friday night at 7pm. If they win that game they'll play in the consolation championship on Saturday at 10:30am back at the Xcel.
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