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After dropping a disappointing North Suburban Conference match to Irondale last week, the Chisago Lakes volleyball team rebounded with a big win over the struggling Columbia Heights Hylanders on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The girls wanted to come out looking sharp as it was parents night for the Wildcat players. They were also provided and extra morale boost since reigning North Suburban Conference Player of the Year Courtney Fautsch returned to the lineup after missing the past few weeks with a back injury. Fautsch, who is usually the 'Cats premier outside hitter, split time between hitting and setting in the first set. The strategy worked well as Chisago Lakes jumped out to an early lead over the Hylanders, who were 4-4 coming into the game, but 0-2 in the NSC. With some effective hitting from Rachel Nelson in the middle, and a varied attack with Fautsch and regular setter Lauren Weiler moving the ball to teammates, Heights' never had a chance in the first set as they went down 25-9.

With the momentum built from the celebration at the beginning of the night and from the first set win, the Wildcats didn't miss a beat in the second set. Fautsch was mainly used at her regular outside hitter spot in the second set, but it didn't matter. Weiler was making the correct sets and the terminators, Nelson and Fautsch, were putting points on the board quickly. Heights' kept the game close for a bit, but Chisago Lakes was never really threatened in the 25-19 win in the second set.

In the third set, Columbia Heights seemed resigned to their fate. They stayed even with the 'Cats for the first few points, but eventually, the Wildcats overwhelmed them for the three-set sweep. In the deciding set, Chisago Lakes was able to win by a score of 25-13. Heights never got in a groove, and with the anticipated return of Fautsch and the celebration of parents night, it was bound to be a long night for the Hylanders.

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