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A rivalry can make for a thrilling volleyball match between two evenly matched teams, but when one of the squads dominates, the ferocity and luster of a shining rivalry can be lost for a short time. Such is the case in the North Branch and Chisago Lakes volleyball yearly tussle.

After North Branch had dominated the match up for a number of years, Chisago Lakes has wrestled away the Vikings firm grip on the series and brought it back into their court, sweeping the spiking Vikings the past two years.

The two teams got together on Chisago Lakes' senior night, and it was fitting that those five seniors, Jordan Burnett, Lisa Rosenthal, Sam Nelson, Alex Hoyt and Mackenzie Maher, reflected the polar opposite image of their North Branch foes. The Vikings are represented by one senior only, Megan Scherer.

The difference in experience and talent was evident as Chisago Lakes raced out to big leads in both the first and the third sets. The 'Cats used their steady passing and explosive spiking ability to keep the Vikings on the defensive for the whole contest. The only close set came in the second stanza when the Vikings were able to string together solid offensive scores.

After taking the first two sets in quick time, the Wildcats raced out to a 14-2 lead in the third set and never were really threatened as they finished the red-and-black clad Vikes off in just over an hour.

The boisterous crowd seemed to also play a part in the match, as the match was the last home game in the regular season for the Wildcats, and it was also homecoming week the CLHS.

The student section spanned two bleacher sections and made life difficult for the North Branch players.

Both the Vikings and the Wildcats are now looking forward their sectional play and the hopes that they can make their way through the tough sub-sections into a chance at a berth in the state tournament.

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