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Pirates Take Pine River-Backus five-sets in Nailbiter Loss The Verndale volleyball team battled through five long sets, but weren’t able to overcome the Pine River-Backus Tigers in an exciting match on Tuesday, September 8. The Pirates started the night slowly, unable to find their groove, dropping the first two sets 25-14 and 25-17. Unwilling to give up, the Pirates came into the third set with a spark, igniting a two set comeback and forcing a decisive fifth set, taking s

Matt Allen completed the varsity boys 3.1 mile race in 34 minutes, 5 seconds. by Coach Heidi Brandsma The Verndale Cross Country team participated in the Johanna Olson Invitational held at the Whitetail Run Golf course in Wadena on Tuesday September 8th. It was a challenging day for the team, with temperatures in the 80s and humidity that made running more difficult. The team rallied and finished strong. New for the team, we also had four elementary students who are pa

by Coach Mike Mahlen The Verndale Pirates played South Ridge on Friday, Sept. 4, falling 14-12 in overtime. Verndale scored first in the opening quarter on a six-yard touchdown run by Joe Elfstrum. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, giving the Pirates a 6-0 lead. South Ridge tied the game in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Kingsley Archambault. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving the score tied 6-6. In overtime, Verndale scored on a two-yard to

by Haley Youngbauer The Verndale Pirates Volleyball team opened their season with two hard fought matches last week, falling 1-3 to Staples-Motley on Tuesday and 0-3 to Parkers Prairie on Thursday. The Pirates started the week on the road to battle the Staples-Motley Cardinals. After a long back and forth first set, the Pirates dug deep and came out victorious with a score of 28-26. The Pirates kept up the fight to keep each set close, but despite their best efforts, the

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 62, Laporte 42 On Monday, March 2, the Boys Basketball team began Section 5A playoff action by hosting the Laporte Wildcats. The Pirates were able to come away with a first-round win by the score of 62-42. Braylin Deleon led the way in scoring with 26 points. Bryce Pickar had 9 points and 7 rebounds, while Chase Jenson had 7 points and 7 rebounds. Stats: Zain Waldahl 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals,6 points. Joe Elfstrum 5 rebounds, 1 assist,

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 84, Swanville 70 On Monday, February 23, the Boys Basketball team hosted the Swanville Bulldogs and won by a score of 84-70. Braylin Deleon led the Pirates in scoring with 30 points to go along with 5 assists and 5 steals on the night. Joe Elfstrum led the way on the glass with 10 rebounds as well as a team high 6 assists. Chase Jensen chipped in 19 points while Bryce Pickar had 12 points and 4 blocked shots. Stats: Waldahl 2 rebounds, 4 assis

by Coach Sam Schmitz The Pirates’ season came to an end when they fell to the Browerville/Eagle Valley Tigers 37-50 on February 24. Verndale was never able to get into a fluid rhythm, and they shot 18%, while the Tigers shot 36%. The Pirates were able to convert at the free throw line, hitting 17 of their 20 attempts. Senior Emily Elfstrum finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds... Subscribe to get the rest of the story...

by Coach Greg Johnson Verndale 71, Bertha-Hewitt 64 On Tuesday, February 17, the Boys Basketball team hosted the Bertha-Hewitt Bears and won by a score of 71-64. Braylin Deleon led the Pirates in scoring with 25 points to go along with his team-high 6 assists on the night. Jackson White scored 16 points. Bryce Pickar had a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds on the night. Kyler Vertina chipped in 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Stats: Zain Waldahl 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1

by Coach Sam Schmitz The Verndale Pirates, on February 19, had a second-half surge to defeat the Long Prairie/Grey Eagle Thunder 53-45. At halftime, the game was tied at 22-22. The Pirates trailed 28-29 before regaining the lead and, after that, never lost the lead. The Pirates outrebounded the taller Thunder team 55-49. Adeley Hinkle, the smallest girl on the court, had a career high of 16 rebounds. Emily Elfstrum poured in 18 points. Stats: Elfstrum 18 points, 4 rebounds

by Coach Sam Schmitz The Pirates struggled to find their rhythm in a 37-58 loss to the Bertha-Hewitt Bears on February 10. At halftime, Verndale was down 16-39, but played a more even second half. The Bears interior game was too much for the Pirates as the Bears scored 40 of their points in the lane. Millie Schmitz led the Pirates with 8 points and 12 rebounds, while Emily Elfstrum added 7 points. Stats: Elfstrum 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist. Orlando 6 points, 3 assists, 1