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By Kayla Bauer | Editor-in-Chief

The Pirate Palace was packed full of yellow seventh-man tee shirts Tuesday night as the Lady Pirate volleyball team hosted the Crescent Valley Raiders in an OSAA play-in game.

The Pirates topped the Raiders in three games, winning 25-9, 25-16 and 25-19.

Head varsity coach Tammie Montiel was satisfied with the team’s performance.

“I think we came out and played really well in the first game,” Montiel said. “Crescent Valley made some adjustments and played a little tougher in the second and third games, but overall I was pleased.”

The team was also happy with their performance and excited about the win.

“I think we communicated well tonight and our passes were a lot better than they have been,” senior Kirby Neale said. “It feels really good. We’re one step closer to state.”

The Pirates will host the Hood River Valley Eagles in a playoff game this Saturday. If they win, they will travel to Liberty High School in Hillsboro to compete in the OSAA state volleyball tournament Nov. 11-12.

The team is currently ranked second in the state and their goal this season is to improve on last year’s sixth place finish at the state tournament.

“From the beginning of the season, we’ve been hoping for a top four finish,” Montiel said.

Montiel said the team has had trouble coming out in the first game, so in order to reach this goal, the must come out “focused and mentally prepared.”

Saturday’s playoff game will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Pirate Palace.

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