Comets Build Momentum Heading Into Playoffs After Strong Showing at Blocktoberfest Tournament
The Comets wrapped their regular season competition at the Blocktoberfest Tournament hosted at Kennedy High School, using the weekend to fine-tune rotations and sharpen their play ahead of the postseason. The tournament gave the Comets a valuable opportunity to face a range of tough opponents and experiment with new lineups. This experience will serve them well as they prepare to host their first playoff game on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest. The Comets will face the winner of Underwood and Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal.
The Comets opened pool play against Hawley, battling through two close sets but falling 0–2 (21–25, 17–25). Their next matchup against Melrose showcased both their grit and growth as a team. After dropping the first set 23–25, Hillcrest responded with a dominant 25–9 victory in the second before falling narrowly in the tiebreaker 11–15.
Despite those early challenges, Hillcrest found its rhythm in bracket play. Against Detroit Lakes, the Comets displayed resilience, taking the match 2–1 with set scores of 25–21, 22–25, and 15–8. They carried that energy into their final match of the day, defeating Park Rapids in straight sets (25–14, 25–19). The Comets showed progress and the ability to execute in pressure moments.
Leadership and balance were evident across the board. Senior Ella Knutson continued her commanding presence at the net, registering 37 kills and 32 digs while adding four blocks and six assists. Sophomore Elsa Retzlaff was relentless on defense, collecting a team-high 55 digs and adding four ace serves and 20 kills. In the back row, Chloe Walkup anchored Hillcrest’s serve-receive with 35 digs and two aces, while Elin Retzlaff contributed strong two-way play with 22 kills and five blocks.
Setting duties were shared between Brooke Swedberg and Stella Moline, who orchestrated the offense with precision and poise. Swedberg finished the day with 42 assists and three aces, while Moline notched 38 assists, three aces, and a perfect 100% from the service line, going 42-for-42. At the net, Aaveah Stender brought energy and confidence, tallying 10 kills and five aces, while Kali Miller and Paisley Miller provided depth and timely offense, adding to the Comets’ front-row pressure.
In total, the team combined for 13 aces, 209 digs, 100 kills, 31 blocks, and 91 assists—an impressive showing of all-around play and teamwork heading into the postseason.
Head Coach Debi Foss reflected on the weekend as a critical opportunity to prepare for playoff intensity. “We played a lot of competitive volleyball today! The Melrose match was one we could have had, but we had too many missed opportunities,” Foss shared. “We mixed in some new rotations and lineups, which allowed us to play to our strengths, battle against some tough opponents, and get valuable experience heading into the playoffs. Ella led confidently from the front row again, and Chloe anchored our defense in her calm, steady way. Our outsides took a ton of swings and worked hard against some big blocks. We’re continuing to trend in the right direction as we prepare for postseason play next week.”
With their Blocktoberfest experience behind them and a week of focused preparation ahead, the Comets are eager to bring their home crowd to life when playoff action begins. Fans are encouraged to fill the stands at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, as Hillcrest hosts its first postseason matchup. The Comets have shown they’re ready, battle-tested, united, and confident, as they look to make a strong run through the playoffs.