Bears sweep volleyball series against Colony

PALMER — The Kodiak Bears are the two-time defending Northern Lights Conference champions. But Kodiak High School’s graduation ceremony last spring led to the loss of a lot of players from the Bears program.

“A gazillion,” Kodiak head coach Amy Willis said with a laugh Friday night.

Judging by Kodiak’s performance against the Colony Knights, there may be different Bears, but it’s same Kodiak.

The Bears, boasting a completely new starting lineup, opened its season with a 3-1 (25-14, 17-25, 29-27, 25-19) over the Knights at Colony High School.

“It’s a lot of find out as you go,” Willis said of the Bears, who graduated all six starters and a reserve.

Willis said the season begins with expectations, and the Bears hope to go from there. But there’s also the unexpected. Willis specifically noted the blocking of the Bears. Dannika Catt (six blocks), Richelle Walker (five blocks) and Stephanie Price (three blocks) combined for 14 total blocks in the win.

Colony head coach Amy Carter was also pleased with the blocking of her team.

“We’re blocking much better, way better than a week ago,” Carter said.

The Knights didn’t have as many holes to fill in the lineup, but are still working to blend a new starting lineup together. Colony returns standouts such as setter Mackenzie Everett, the lone Valley player to be named all-state last year, and Ashley Turcotte, a hard-hitter on the outside. There are new players being weaved into the mix as well.

“It’s just the consistency,” Carter said.

Libero Whitley Mattern was a bright spot, Carter said.

“I saw some stuff she hasn’t done before,” Carter said of Mattern. “That was really cool.”

Middle hitter Sophie Hall also stood out, finishing with seven kills, five digs and two blocks.

Kodiak’s 29-27 victory in the third set was key to the victory. The teams were knotted at 20 points, 21, 24, 25, 26 and 27 before Kodiak was able to combine a Colony service error and Bears ace to gut out the win in Game 3.

“You win those big games and you have confidence in the next game,” Carter said.

Morgan Johnson led the Knights with 19 digs Friday. Everett and Turcotte added 15 each, and Courtney Mulkins chipped in 11. Everetty also collected 14 assists and four aces.

Kodiak 3, Colony 1

PALMER — The Kodiak Bears used a 3-1 (18-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22) win over Colony on Saturday to sweep the two-match Northern Lights Conference series against the Knights.

Sophie Hall led Colony with 12 kills, three digs, two blocks and two aces. Ashley Turcotte finished with a team-high 18 digs. Whitley Mattern added 14 digs, and Courtney Mulkins recorded 11.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.