Foss Earns 100th Win as Comets Roll On
The Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets stepped onto the court with a strong sense of purpose Tuesday night. The energy in the gym was palpable, not just because of the looming conference match against the Rothsay Tigers but because this night held the promise of a historic milestone for their head coach, Debi Foss. After years of dedication, spanning from her coaching start in 1993, a break between 1996 and 2018, and her triumphant return to the Hillcrest sidelines, Coach Foss was just one win away from her 100th career victory.
The Comets wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the first set, they surged ahead with an overwhelming 25-9 victory, their powerful offense led by Emily Adams and Ella Knutson. Adams, with her sharp kills and commanding presence, registered 10 kills, while Knutson added 11 kills of her own, along with three ace serves. Ruby Peterson paced the rhythm of the game, setting up play after play with precision, notching 31 assists while maintaining a perfect serving record of 21/21.
Hillcrest showed no signs of slowing down by the second set, taking it decisively with a 25-14 score. Consistent as always, Elsa Retzlaff contributed to both offense and defense, while freshman Aaveah Stender and senior Kate Olstad made their presence known with solid attacks. Stender’s power at the net stacked up four kills and two blocks. Olstad added five kills of her own, stepping up at critical moments to help the Comets maintain control.
The third set sealed the night in style, with Hillcrest cruising to a 25-8 win. Maddie Miller and Chloe Walkup were rock-solid in the back row, ensuring the Comets' defense stayed airtight. Walkup added two ace serves to her four digs, while Miller’s steady hands resulted in eight crucial digs that kept the Tigers from finding any momentum.
When the final point was scored, the cheers from the home crowd weren’t just for the dominating victory—they were a celebration of Coach Debi Foss's 100th win. After 13 years of coaching, Debi stood proudly with her team, reflecting on the journey that led her to this milestone.
“This win was a special one,” said Foss after the game. “It’s not just about the number of victories but the way we’ve grown and played together as a team. I’m excited to see how we continue to build on this momentum.”
With the win in their pocket and a milestone celebrated, the Comets now set their sights on their final conference match against the Underwood Rockets this Thursday.