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North Branch holds off challenger Southwest Christian with five-set victory

By John Wagner, SportsEngine, 08/24/19, 12:00PM CDT

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The Vikings, who won last year's Class 2A state title, beat a fellow top-10 contender in the Stars at the Side Out Classic.


North Branch senior Cianna Selbitschka goes up for a kill against Southwest Christian during the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School. The Vikings defeated the Stars in five sets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

North Branch junior Paige Sheehan sets up a play at the net against Southwest Christian during the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School. The Vikings defeated the Stars in five sets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

North Branch junior Paige Sheehan sets up a play at the net against Southwest Christian during the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School. The Vikings defeated the Stars in five sets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

When North Branch took the court against Southwest Christian Saturday, everyone on both teams knew the Vikings’ offensive attack would flow through senior standout Cianna Selbitschka.

So North Branch, the defending state champion in Class 2A, knew it would need contributions from others to help win. The Vikings got just what they needed to claim a 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 19-17 victory in the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School.

"If we get other options, the other team can't set up right in front of me," said Selbitschka, a Minnesota Duluth commit. "If they do, we have other players who can make big plays."

Selbitschka was a force, finishing with a game-high 29 kills which proved vital considering the Vikings were without middle hitter Reagan Irons, who missed the contest to attend a family event.

North Branch (2-0, 0-0) supplemented its attack with standout efforts from Paige Peaslee and Kristi Pilz who each had seven kills. Setter Paige Sheehan contributed with 43 assists.

Southwest Christian's Callie Coughlin sends a shot past two North Branch defenders during the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School. The Stars fell to the Vikings in an entertaining five set match. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Southwest Christian's Callie Coughlin sends a shot past two North Branch defenders during the Breakdown Sports Side Out Classic at Edina High School. The Stars fell to the Vikings in an entertaining five set match. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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