Back at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena in Normal for the second straight season, Prairie Ridge felt at home.

“We all had a sense of comfort walking in and walking out onto the court,” junior Adeline Grider said. “It’s just a surreal experience for all of us to be here [again].

“And we did all feel comfortable. It was just anxious nerves, I guess.”

Unlike its Class 3A supersectional win Monday, top-seeded Prairie Ridge was unable to mount a comeback against No. 1 Normal University.

The Wolves, despite a match-high 12 kills from Grider, lost to the Pioneers 25-20, 25-18 on Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals. Prairie Ridge (32-8) will play for third place against No. 1 Providence Catholic, which lost to No. 4 Nazareth 25-16, 25-17 in the first semifinal, at 4 p.m. Saturday

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