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.

The 1-0 victory was more than just another win. It was a statement. It was proof that this Comet team has the same hunger and heart that made 2015 so special, but with their own identity and fire. The defense absorbed every Lumberjack attack, battling for loose balls and staying composed under duress.

Together, these seniors have helped shape one of the best seasons in Hillcrest memory. Their faith, discipline, and unity have built a team that plays for each other and for Christ. As the Comets look toward the playoffs with hopes of a state run, they do so on the shoulders of a senior class that has set the standard for what it means to be resilient, joyful, and dedicated.

Tonight, when the Hillcrest volleyball team faces CGB, the gym will be filled not only with cheers for the Comets but also with gratitude and celebration for the seniors who have carried this team with resilience and steady leadership. Senior Night is always a bittersweet milestone, but for this group it is a reminder of how discipline, character, and identity in Christ have defined their journey.

Tonight, as the Hillcrest girls soccer team takes the field against Pelican Rapids, the spotlight shines not only on the game but on the remarkable seniors who have poured heart, resilience, and faith into this program. Senior Night is more than a farewell; it is a celebration of the friendships forged, the lessons learned, and the leadership that has shaped this year’s team.

It’s been a dominant week for the Hillcrest Comets volleyball team, as they put together three straight-set victories that showcase not only their depth but also their growing cohesion as they head toward a crucial playoff stretch this fall.

For nearly a decade, Wheaton had been the Comets’ graveyard. Trips to face the Warriors and now the Border West co-op over the years ended in heartbreak. But Friday night, the Comets stormed in with command, composure, and poise, delivering a 28–6 victory that lifted them to 4–0 and made a loud statement about where this team is headed.

The Comets, fueled by Fischer’s early strike, Selvig’s steady hands, and the tireless midfield work showed that success isn’t always about style points. It’s about resilience, unity, and trusting a process that has produced generations of Comet soccer players molded by Jensen’s steady leadership.

President Luke Fiskness offered three principles that act like anchors to steady the classroom in Monday’s inservice. The first is to make room for rest; the pace of modern schooling can feel like a factory conveyor belt, but scholé insists on space to savor ideas. The second is to aim every lesson at what is truly worthwhile: the goodness of creation, the beauty of art, the truth of Scripture, and the wisdom of history. The third is to remember that people are not machines; we are created to worship and to wonder, not merely to produce. Those principles are simple enough to write on a sticky note and profound enough to change a culture.

The Comets’ offense rolled up 388 yards, spreading the ball effectively with 137 yards on the ground and 251 through the air. Swedberg completed 16 of 26 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 18 times for 108 yards and four scores.

In the House System at Hillcrest, students are learning to name and celebrate the design of each other, their character, habits, strengths, and stories. Today, they discovered that God’s creation is full of clues pointing to His order, His strength, and His beauty, and how they can reflect that by recognizing, celebrating, and promoting his work in their hearts and in the community of Hillcrest.

“I was pleased with the opportunities the Comets created offensivel,” Coach Rod Jensen noted. “We must continue to work on finding the back of the net with the opportunities created!  We have some areas of defensive improvements we can work on.  We did have excellent efforts from midfielder Ben Hordnes and defenders Caleb Holm, Charlie Eggiman, and Silas Haugstvedt.

From the start, the Comets fought for midfield control with the poise of a team that trusts each other. Captain Alexa Ewan directed the flow of the game, guiding midfielders Lauren Markovetz and Danna Rodriguez to create chances for forwards Kaia Fiskness and Isla Frobish. Midway through the first half, defensive captain Paisley Garvin launched a perfectly timed through ball from the back line to find Fiskness, decisive in her run, breaking through the Vikings’ defense and coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to put Hillcrest up 1–0.

The Comets jumped ahead quickly Friday night, piling up 16 first-quarter points behind quarterback Ethan Swedberg, who accounted for three touchdowns in the opening frame. He connected with Drew Fischer on a 39-yard strike, powered in a 3-yard rush, and found Maverick Peterson from 16 yards out to put Hillcrest up 16–6. By the end of the half, Swedberg had added another highlight, an electrifying 62-yard bomb to Griffen Haus, stretching the lead to 22–6.

Coming off last year’s unforgettable run to the Section Final, Hillcrest entered this season carrying high expectations. But with a roster that looks different and plays different, the Comets are already showing that their strength will come from forging a fresh identity marked by trust, energy, and unity.

The clubs meet for a 45 minute block once a week. They have the opportunity to change clubs at specific breaks in the year to explore more restful learning opportunities. Faculty and staff lead the clubs, connecting with students in a mentor relationship that moves discipleship beyond textbooks and home work assignments into a love of exploration and learning around interests the student holds.

Comet Football lit up the field in their season opener, defeating the Northern Freeze in a decisive 44–8 victory. But it wasn’t only the scoreboard that made the night unforgettable, after the final huddle, Coach Korey Fry proposed to Hillcrest alumna Laura Tungseth in front of the team, families, and fans.

The Comets’ identity is already clear: organized in the back field, tireless in midfield, and ruthless up front when chances come. They communicate, they cover for each other, and they play with an edge. When they get punched, they punch back. When momentum tilts, they grind to tilt it back. This is a squad that’s learning how to suffer together and surge together.

In a few short weeks, the Comets have learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, how to celebrate a goal, and how to pick each other up when mistakes come. English mixes with Portuguese, Spanish, and Norwegian on the practice field, yet the message is clear: encouragement, resilience, and joy bind them together.

Hillcrest’s design in this new program is clear: create a community where every student belongs, every student participates, and every student learns what it means to serve others in the name of Christ. Practically, this is carried out in Hillcrest’s new house system in chants, friendly rivalries, and shared memories that remind students that faith and joy are not separate streams but instead unite in beauty under the banner of Christ at Hillcrest.