Comets Command Opening Playoff Win to Advance in Postseason

The Comets opened their playoff run with a decisive three-set victory over the Underwood Rockets on Wednesday night in front of a packed gym and an electric playoff atmosphere.

The Rockets came ready to battle, backed by their pep band and strong defense, but Hillcrest executed its game plan with focus and grit. Head Coach Debi Foss praised both the competition and her team’s composure:

“The gym was packed, and the Underwood pep band added so much to that playoff atmosphere, it was electric! The Rockets are a tough, well-coached team, and we have tremendous respect for how hard they competed,” Foss shared. “We were able to run our game plan, attack aggressively, and finish strong in three competitive sets.”

Senior Ella Knutson led the charge with a career-high 20 kills, setting the tone at the net and fueling Hillcrest’s offense. She also added 12 ace serves and 2 blocks, putting pressure on Underwood throughout the match.

Setter Stella Moline distributed the ball effectively, tallying 24 assists while serving a perfect 16-for-16 from the line. Fellow setter Brooke Swedberg added another 16 assists with a flawless serving night of her own.

Maddie Miller stepped up in key moments, delivering clutch swings that shifted momentum late in the first and third sets, while Aaveah Stender provided consistency in the middle with 11 digs and 3 kills, adding to Hillcrest’s defensive presence.

Defensively, the Comets showcased depth and hustle across the board. Elsa Retzlaff anchored the back row with 21 digs, and libero Chloe Walkup matched her intensity, contributing 13 aces and a perfect serving record. In total, the Comets recorded 81 digs, 48 kills, 10 blocks, and 43 assists, a testament to their teamwork and energy.

Coach Foss emphasized the special atmosphere surrounding the evening:

“We’re grateful for the incredible support from our fans, families, and friends — you make nights like this special! Tonight, we played like a team, we caused some Ripples, and we REACHED for more.”

With the victory, Hillcrest advances to the next round of the playoffs, where they’ll host Lake Park Audubon on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. Lake Park Audubon earned their spot after upsetting Henning earlier in the evening, setting up what promises to be another exciting matchup in Fergus Falls.