A win in the end

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE — Emotions poured out after the Colony Knights captured fourth place of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships with a 3-0 sweep of Juneau-Douglas at West Anchorage High School on Saturday.

In three quick games, the Knights pummeled the Crimson Bears with well-placed blocks, punishing kills and overall solid teamwork.

Colony head coach Amy Carter said the match was particularly meaningful because she has seven graduating seniors on the team. Even though it was the last match of the season, Carter said her girls played just as hard as they have throughout the year.

“The kids were ready to play today,” said Carter, who saw her Knights use a 3-0 win over Lathrop on Friday to move into the fourth-place match. “We passed well, hit well. We played well.”

Saturday’s match began with Colony slowly building its lead, with middle hitters Allie Grazulis and Kara Larson dominating at the net with well-placed kills.

Juneau slowly began to build momentum, however, and led 9-7 after a much needed side-out.

But that lead didn’t last long, and a block by Grazulis turned the tide and put Colony back on top.

The Knights led until near the end of the game, when Juneau started to close the gap, but it wasn’t to be had for the Crimson Bears, and an ace serve from Larson, plus a bit of early celebration on the part of Juneau, led to a 25-22 win for Colony.

The Knights carried that momentum into the second game. CHS started by building a commanding lead that proved insurmountable by Juneau.

Colony controlled the play throughout the game, thanks to superior blocking, hitting and passing. A service ace by senior April Bleicher also proved to help the Knights keep control of the momentum.

Larson finished the game with a crushing kill to take Colony to a 25-15 win.

Colony and Juneau traded the lead in the third game, which was a must win for Juneau if they wanted to stay in the contest. Larson, Grazulis and outside hitter Sierra Hodgson came out in force to propel Colony with enough momentum to hold off Juneau.

A kill by outside hitter Nicole Davis solidified Colony’s lead, and the team never looked back.

Juneau tried, however, and some volleys lasted for almost two minutes, with dives, running passes and clinch moves scoring points for both teams. Players put their bodies on the line to go after wild balls, and sneak tips over the net caught both sides off guard often.

Match point went to Colony with a block by Grazulis to end the contest. Slapping hands with Juneau, the Colony girls teared up knowing it was the last game of the season, and for some, the last one of their high school career.

Although the Knights failed to return to the state title game for a second straight season, the Knights rebounded to win a pair of consolation matches to finish fourth, and Carter said she couldn’t be happier with how her team played.

“We played well,” she said.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.