Both the Highland Huskies and Columbus Wildcats faced conference volleyball tests Thursday night. Highland was pushed to the brink against Louisa-Musactine, dropping the first two sets 25-19 and 25-17 at home.

But the Huskies would respond, winning the next two frames 25-15 and 25-13 before claiming a decisive fifth set 15-8. Sophomore Hailey Brun’s double-double of 16 kills and 10 digs led the way for Highland, while junior teammate Brenna Hazelett came up with 13 kills.

Middle hitter Adeline Krotz added nine kills and five digs, while fellow senior Laney Skelton handed out 36 assists at setter to go with five kills, one blocked shot and a serving ace, helping the Huskies remain a perfect 3-0 in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North and raise their overall record to 6-3.

Columbus would not have the same luck, falling in four sets to Pekin. The Wildcats lost the first two sets 25-23 and 25-17, and while they would win the third 25-18 to stay alive on their home floor, the Panthers claimed the fourth set 25-16 to win the match.

Junior Jessica Del Rio paced Columbus with 10 kills and three aces while also registering a block. Senior Aracely Garza and junior Kennedy Woepking had two aces each for the Wildcats and combined for nine kills and 23 digs.

Middle hitter Hailey Wellington chipped in seven kills and fellow junior Daniela Diaz added two aces, seven digs and a block to the 28 assists she handed out for Columbus.

The ‘Cats drop their first Super Conference North match of the season and are now 3-6 overall to go with a 2-1 league record. Columbus plays in a tournament at Williamsburg this weekend, while Highland also has tournament action on the schedule this weekend at Wilton.