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North Branch’s volleyball season has been up and down so far this year, with key wins at times and big losses at other times.

Chisago Lakes won their first three matches of the year and haven’t gotten back in the victory column since.

It all came to a head on Thursday, October 7 when the Mississippi 8 Conference foes took each other on in what many were hoping was a renewed rivalry.

The results had swayed heavily in North Branch’s direction the past few years, and although the Lady Vikings won this year’s match up 3-1, there was plenty to build on for Chisago Lakes.

The Wildcats held a late lead in the first set at 21-19, but a mini-run featuring some big kills from Cianna Selbitschka and some impressive serves from Sophie Linder powered North Branch past the ‘Cats 26-24 in the first set.

In the second set, Chisago Lakes’ offense was clicking. Their serve receive and passing have had some issues at times during their current losing streak, but both were crisp in the second set. Chisago Lakes seemed to have an answer for every move North Branch made a stayed ahead throughout, winning 25-22.

Especially impressive late in the set was Chisago Lakes’ defense. They found themselves in a few scrambles where players were just sticking arms out and laying out just to keep a point alive, and they would end up winning it. The last point came on a big Carmen Backes spike as the junior put the set away emphatically.

North Branch didn’t let the disappointment carry over into the third set, however. They hammered Chisago Lakes early, taking a 9-0 lead, which is very rare in rally volleyball.

After building that lead, North Branch was mostly able to coast through that set before winning 25-15.

The fourth set stayed fairly even with Backes and Selbitschka trading kills, Marie Finch and Haley Hadrava both finding teammates for dazzling assists, and strong defensive play from Katelyn Berg of NB and Maddie Saueressig of Chisago Lakes.

As the set started to wind down, North Branch began to take over, adding extra points here and there. By the end of it, NB finished the set and match off, 25-19 and 3-1.

For the Lady Vikes, Selbitschka had 21 kills and Maddie Hadrava and Katie Burnside each had nine. Haley Hadrava had 38 assists.

Backes led Chisago Lakes in kills while Finch was the top assister for the ‘Cats.

“The competition against Chisago Lakes was a fun one.  They are a great neighboring community and our competitions are always an energetic one,” NB Head Coach Mike Selbitschka said. “The student fan support on both sides was great and both came with lots of energy!  I think Cianna Selbitschka had one of her better games of the season for us and is beginning to get a connection with our new setter (Haley Hadrava).  Sophie Linder also had some incredible digs to keep our defense alive and continue with our offensive pressure.”

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