Going into Saturday night’s matchup with Prior Lake, Champlin Park’s Sydney Hilley had just one number on her mind.

It wasn’t the Lakers’ No. 1 ranking in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s Class 3A preseason poll.

It was the number four, as in the No. 4 sandwich on the menu of the junior setter's favorite restaurant for a pregame meal. 

“Me and Jenae (Alderson) get the same sandwich (the No. 4 Turkey Tom) at Jimmy John’s before every single game,” Hilley said with a chuckle. 

That sandwich must have had something extra on it, because Hilley and Alderson led the No. 8-3A Rebels to a stunning come-from-behind victory over Prior Lake in the Side Out Classic on Saturday night at Hopkins High School. 

Prior Lake jumped out to a two-set lead before Hilley admonished her team to go all out during the break between the second and third sets.

“I said we have nothing to lose at this point,” Hilley recalled. “We’re not expected to win, just come out and play our game and see what happens.”

Hilley and Alderson's “game” included combining for 32 kills and 31 digs, propelling the Rebels to the 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14 victory.

“If you don’t go all out, then what are you doing?” Alderson said. 

Alderson was a Northwest Suburban all-conference selection last season while Hilley, a Wisconsin commit, was named PrepVolleyball.com’s 2014 National Sophomore of the Year. 

Champlin Park coach John Yunker admitted that a couple of his players could have been nervous given the raucous atmosphere in the gym, but added the preseason rating bestowed upon Prior Lake was not a factor in rattling the Rebels. 

“Rankings are rankings,” Yunker said. “You still have to take care of it on the court.”

Yunker also said Hilley is more than just an extremely talented player. 

“She’s a coach within the team,” Yunker said. “The girls love her and feed (off) her too.”

If the Rebels find themselves in a situation anytime this season similar to the one they faced on Saturday night, Yunker said all the team has to do is look at Hilley for a reaction, or lack thereof. 

“If the girls look over and see Sydney’s OK, then we’re OK,” Yunker said. 

Champlin Park rallied to defeat Prior Lake 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14 in the Side Out Classic at Hopkins High School on Saturday night. 

The Rebels, ranked No. 8 in Class 3A by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association, not only handed the No. 1-3A Lakers (1-1) their first loss of the season but their first loss in a set through two games. 

Junior setter Sydney Hilley led the Rebels (1-0) with 17 kills while senior middle hitter Jenae Alderson finished with 15 kills and 16 digs.

Spotlight Game Coverage