The top-ranked Marshfield volleyball team faced its biggest scare of the season in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament Friday morning, but after falling behind two sets to one, the Pirates rallied to beat Crook County to advance to the semifinals.
Marshfield will face Baker at 6:30 p.m. tonight with the winner advancing the state championship game. Baker advanced with a 3-1 win over Tillamook.
Marshfield and Crook County faced an early morning start with the first serve at 8 a.m. The Pirates handled the early start well, rolling to the win in the opening set.
But then Crook County took over, winning the next two sets to take the advantage.
With their backs against the wall, Marshfield rallied to easily win the fourth set. In the fifth set, which only went to 15 points, Crook County jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Pirates again rallied to take the victory.
The win improved Marshfield to 22-3 on the season, with no losses to a 4A squad.
In the other quarterfinal matches, No. 3 seed, the Dalles is taking on No. 6 seed, Mazama on one side of the bracket while second-seeded Cascade takes on No. 7 seed, Henley in the other.
The state championship game is scheduled at 6 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast live on KMHS Pirate Radio, 105.1 FM.