Comets Show Joyful Resilience in Five-Set Thriller Over CGB
The Comet gym was alive Thursday night as Hillcrest faced off against CGB in a hard-fought conference showdown. On Senior Night and during Homecoming Week, the stands were filled with parents, family, students, and alumni, creating a charged atmosphere that pushed the Comets to one of their most memorable wins of the season.
The final scores told the story of a battle: 25–22, 21–25, 14–25, 25–10, 15–9. Each set carried its own momentum shifts, forcing Hillcrest to dig deep when the match seemed to tilt out of their favor. After dropping the second and third sets, the Comets faced adversity head-on. Smiles may have been harder to find in those moments, but something deeper carried them forward. What Hillcrest displayed wasn’t just fleeting happiness; it was joy rooted in resolve. That joy gave them the strength to rise, rally, and reclaim control of the match when it mattered most.
Coach Debi Foss captured the spirit of the night:
“What a night in the Comet gym! On Senior Night and during Homecoming Week, the atmosphere was electric with parents, family, students, and alumni filling the stands. We battled CGB for five thrilling sets, with every point hard-earned. We were up. They were up. We were up. Final scores were 25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 25-10, and 15-9.”
A complete team effort powered the comeback. Ella Knutson and Elsa Retzlaff both tallied 11 kills, while Knutson added 26 digs and Elsa 28. Brooke Swedberg anchored the back row with an impressive 21 digs, while setter Stella Moline dished out 24 assists with 100% serving on the night. Freshman Kenzie Miller also made her presence felt with 13 kills and four blocks, while libero Chloe Walkup contributed 18 digs with a perfect serve percentage.
Beyond the stats, it was the character of the Comets that stood out. Even after a third-set loss that could have deflated them, the players refused to lose their spirit. The bench brought “contagious energy,” as Foss described, with encouragement and talk that fueled the team’s composure and fight.
“It was a complete team effort from start to finish, with contributions coming from everyone on the roster. Our seniors showed great leadership and everyone had big moments, helping the team stay composed and rally when it mattered most. The bench brought contagious energy, keeping the talk and encouragement going all night long,” Foss said.
In front of their community, the Comets demonstrated that joy is not the absence of struggle but the presence of perseverance. Their smiles were not simply painted on after each point; they were forged in resilience, shining brighter because of the challenges they faced.