Up two games to none, and 3-1 in the third against Northwest Suburban rival Totino-Grace, Champlin Park seemed to be on its way to a Section 5, Class 3A championship and a berth in the state tournament.

At least that’s what the Rebel players were thinking.

“It started to feel like it was going to happen,” said a sheepish Jenae Alderson, the Rebels’ junior outside hitter. “Then they go on a [10-0] run, and we’re down 11-3. We had to wake up a bit.”

A kill by Champlin Park’s Sydney Hilley stopped the bleeding and ignited a 16-2 run for the Rebels, helping close out the match in three games, 25-20, 25-20 and 25-17, Saturday at Anoka High School.

“That definitely didn’t feel like 3-0; it was a lot closer than the score showed,” Rebel Coach John Yunker said. “I’m just really proud of the girls and the way they battled back in the third,” he added.

Hilley had 14 kills and 16 assists, and Alderson had 13 kills and eight digs, pacing a Rebel offense that looked dominant much of the night — apart from that hiccup in the third.

“We just had to stay calm and get that point to get us going again,” Alderson said. “Now we’re moving on, and … it’s just indescribable.”

BRYCE EVANS