Wildcats Advance to Section Championship with Win Over Pioneers

Chisago Lakes hosted Hill-Murray on Friday night.

These two teams met earlier in the season with Chisago getting the 3-0 sweep.

The Wildcats would look for another sweep at home.

Once the game began both sides were shaking off the playoff nerves, it is win or the season ends after all. But Chisago Lakes was able to take an earlier lead despite the jitters. They were gaining confidence as the set went along, but Hill-Murray was never far behind. In fact the Pioneers were able to erase their deficit and take the lead for a few points. The teams traded the lead and battled. The Wildcats were able to hold onto the lead and finish off the set winning 25-23.

The next set was more of what we saw in the 1st, except now both teams had seemingly found a rhythm. Although the Wildcats got off to a hot start, the Pioneers were quick to come back. It would be a back and forth battle throughout, until late in the set when the Pioneers had brought it to set point. They seemed to have the Wildcats on their heels, and tried to win the set. But Chisago fought back and tied it, this lead into extra points. The Wildcats were able to take the lead, but that final point was tough to grab. This time the Wildcats paid it off and won the 2nd set 28-26.

The 3rd set had arrived and the Wildcats needed to win it and they would be moving on. But Hill-Murray was close all night to taking a set themselves and this time they broke through. They scored first and got out to an early lead, a lead in which they wouldn't surrender. Chisago battled and nearly overcame the deficit but the Pioneers refused to give up the lead, as they won the set 25-23.

After winning one, Hill-Murray had some momentum going into the 4th. But any and all momentum they had captured was swiftly wiped away. The Wildcats were a team with a point to prove in the 4th, and they did just that. This set was by far the best one the Wildcats had all night, very few if any mistakes and just pure dominance. They ran away with set 4 25-12, winning the match 3-1.

The Wildcats will play in the Section Championship on Wednesday against a familiar opponent, Mahtomedi.

Our Pine Insurance Player of the Game was Morgan Mayer!