Comets Show Resolve in Contest with Parkers Prairie

In a hard-fought battle at Hillcrest on September 28, 2023, the home team faced a challenging showdown against Parkers Prairie.

The opening set was a closely contested affair, but Parkers Prairie pulled ahead with a score of 22-25. Parkers Prairie continued to assert their dominance, taking the second set convincingly with a score of 14-25. Hillcrest wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet in set three. The Comets found their rhythm and secured a victory with a score of 25-21. However, Parkers Prairie proved resilient, clinching the fourth set with a score of 21-25.

From the very first serve, it became evident that Parkers Prairie came prepared to do battle. They dominated at the net, delivering fierce swings that left Hillcrest struggling to find their footing. The early stages of the match witnessed Hillcrest wrestling to establish control of the game. Hillcrest fell in the first two sets, 22-25 and 14-25, respectively.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Hillcrest began to hit their stride as the match progressed, particularly in the third and fourth sets. Anna Brumfield emerged as a key player, leading the charge with an impressive 11 kills on the night. Her efforts breathed new life into Hillcrest's offense. Emily Adams, a stalwart on the team, also played a pivotal role in bolstering the blocking game, showcasing her experience and leadership among her peers. The third set closed with Hillcrest on top, 25-21, before the Comets ran out of steam in the final set, 21-25.

Anna Brumfield put on an impressive performance, going 11/11 in serving, notching 11 kills, and contributing 12 digs. Emily Adams continued to showcase her versatility with 1 set assist, four kills, four digs, and four block kills.

Chloe Walkup and Maddie Miller provided crucial digs on defense, hitting the court five and four times, respectively.

Ella Knutson exhibited her skills with two aces, six kills, nine digs, and two block kills, while Ruby Peterson continued her tear of set assists with 24, adding three kills and 13 digs to her stat line.

Kenzie Miller made her mark with two aces, three kills, four digs, and four block kills, and Elsa Retzlaf rounded out the stat line summary with two aces, three kills, and seven digs.

Despite the loss, the Comets remain resilient and optimistic, eagerly anticipating their upcoming Homecoming Week celebrations. Following a brief respite, they will return to the court the following Monday, driven to continue their success on the court and unite as a team.

Beyond the intense competition on the court, it was a night of celebration as Hillcrest Volleyball Alumni made a heartwarming return. Familiar faces from the past joined in the festivities, contributing to a special atmosphere that united players and fans alike.

The Hillcrest team's next challenge awaits them on Tuesday as they return to their home court to face Lake Park-Audubon.