Comets Overcome Vikings in Five-Set Thriller
The Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets faced their first real test of the season on October 1st, squaring off against the Pelican Rapids Vikings. In a dramatic, back-and-forth battle that saw Hillcrest both dominate and struggle, the Comets showed their grit, overcoming adversity to secure a five-set victory on their home court.
Having never lost a set all season, the Comets were in for a challenge as the Vikings pushed them to their limits. The opening set saw Hillcrest come out strong, taking it 25-17. But Pelican Rapids quickly showed they weren't going down easily, rallying to win the second set 25-22 and handing the Comets their first set loss of the season.
The Comets regrouped and came out firing in the third set, steamrolling the Vikings 25-1, a dominating performance that seemed to swing momentum firmly in Hillcrest's favor. However, the Vikings bounced back in the fourth set with a hard-fought 25-20 win, sending the match to a decisive fifth set. With the home crowd on their feet, the Comets dug deep to take the final set 15-12, sealing the match and preserving their undefeated streak.
The Comets showcased both veteran leadership and young talent in their hard-earned victory. Senior Emily Adams led the way with a career-high 21 kills, adding 12 digs and 2 ace serves to her stellar night. Ruby Peterson demonstrated exceptional versatility, notching 5 kills, a staggering 48 set assists, 14 digs, and an ace. Ella Knutson was another key contributor, tallying 12 kills, 20 digs, and 1 ace serve, providing both offensive firepower and defensive stability.
Freshman Aaveah Stender stepped into a big role, filling in for the sick Kenzie Miller. Stender's presence at the net was a game-changer, particularly in the final set, where her long reach played a crucial role in Hillcrest’s success. She finished the match with 9 kills and 1 dig, showing maturity and poise under pressure.
Elsa Retzlaff was a force on both sides of the ball, going a perfect 16/16 on serves and racking up 4 aces, 3 kills, and 26 digs. Kaia Miller added 5 kills and 9 digs, helping to maintain the Comets' offensive pressure. Chloe Walkup anchored the back row with 15 digs and a flawless 21/21 serving performance, while Maddie Miller chipped in 11 digs, and Kate Olstad delivered an ace serve.
Hillcrest’s head coach, Debi Foss, praised her team's perseverance in the face of stiff competition. "We had moments when we handled the Pelican Rapids Vikings well and moments when we didn’t." The Comets showed great resilience in a match that tested them not just physically but mentally as they adapted to the Vikings’ unpredictable play.
One of the biggest challenges came from the return of Anna Roisum, a senior for Pelican Rapids who made an immediate impact on the match. While Coach Foss was pleased to see Roisum back on the court, her presence provided an unexpected hurdle that the Comets had to overcome, especially in those tight sets.
Despite the hard-fought victory, Foss noted there are still improvements to be made. "We attacked the ball a ton tonight, but we were not super efficient," she said, alluding to the need for the team to clean up their play as they prepare for the next match.
The Comets' next challenge is a crucial conference matchup against Parkers Prairie on the road this Thursday. With the experience of battling through a tightly contested match now under their belt, the Comets will aim to sharpen their attack and maintain their momentum as they look to extend their unbeaten run.