FIELD TWP— The Grizzlies were set to face Carlton Wednesday night in Hibbing in the semi-final round of the Section 7A volleyball playoffs.

The Grizzlies racked up their ninth straight win last Friday as they beat sixth-seeded Hill City in four sets in quarterfinal action.

Playing on their home court, the Grizzlies won in four sets, 25-18, 25-22, 22-25, and 25-23.

“We came out really slow again,” said Assistant Coach Dee Ann Sandberg.

“We can play really well in spurts and then we always let them catch up a bit. We need to figure out how to play at our high level for the whole game.”

The Grizzlies will likely need to do just that, Sandberg said, to get past top-seeded Carlton. The 23-5 Bulldogs have lost just two of their past fifteen matches and they swept eighth-seeded Floodwood 25-10, 25-10, and 25-12 to advance to the semi-final round.

Against Hill City, Regan Ratai again set the pace for North Woods, with 23 kills, ten digs, four blocks and two ace serves. Hanna Sandberg tallied 14 digs and two aces, while Kayla Tschida racked up four kills, three blocks, four digs, and three aces.

Setter Claire Beaudry was busy as well, notching 45 assists and three aces, while Karlyn Pierce tallied nine kills and two blocks. Coley Olson slammed three aces and added 12 kills, while Kate Stone notched four aces and as many digs. Jacie Lakoskey also added six digs.