Eagles spoil Knights title hopes; Knights rebound to grab third

ANCHORAGE -- Last year an undersized, but spunky Colony High School volleyball squad was the Cinderella story of the season as the Knights found themselves in the 4A state title game. The 2004 version of the Knights, was ever so similar to that of the 2003 team.

Still undersized, the Knights used their relentless pursuit of the ball, aggressive play in the backcourt and timely and accurate hitting up front to cruise through the 2004 season and win the Northern Lights Conference tournament.

Because of their stellar play through the course of the season, the Cinderella team of 2003 was a sentimental pick to win it all for 2004.

But on Friday, on the second day of the 2004 4A state volleyball tournament at West High School, the Knights ran into something they hadn't seen this season -- the stout and nearly impenetrable block of the host Eagles.

West used its big front line to turn away much the Knights had to offer from the offensive end and made playing on defense an adventure for Colony.

Led by their front line, the Eagles scored a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-23) and wrote their own Cinderella story. West advanced to its first volleyball state title game in more than 20 years -- and did so on its home court.

Colony head coach Faith Scott said West's size proved to be a problem for the Knights on both the offensive and defensive ends.

"They were not only effective on offense, but they didn't make mistakes (on defense)," Scott said. "They picked up a lot of balls."

West middle hitter Nicky Bantan and outside hitter Danielle Johnson combined for 28 kills in the three-game match. Each of Bantan's powerful kills led to a thunder-like eruption of the raucous Eagle crowd. Banton added five blocks on defense.

As the match continued, West consistently drove hard hits onto Colony's side of the court, but the Knights -- normally among the best in the business at digging the irretrievable hits -- were making un-Colony-like mistakes.

"They were really shell shocked," Scott said. "I don't think they were expecting the ball to come back relentlessly.

West, who lost in a five-game decision to Region IV-rival Service for the title, appeared to save its best volleyball for Colony.

"Other coaches told me after the game, 'That was the best West had played," Scott said.

Despite the loss to West, Colony was able to rebound and end the 2004 season on a winning note. With a 3-1 win over Juneau on Saturday, the Knights notched third place in the state tourney and finished in the top three for the second season in a row.

The Knights felt wounded, Scott said, after the Colony loss, but following with a win over Juneau let the Knights end the season on a positive note.

"It definitely makes a difference," Scott said. "Coming into next year, the girls will have that attitude they can accomplish it again."

Colony used a six-point run to tie the score at 23-23 and ultimately earned a 26-24 win in the first game - the closest game of the match.

Juneau captured the second game of the match, but Colony was able to piece together several small runs in the final two games and won the match.

Rochelle Ray led the Knights with 20 kills and 19 digs in the win over Juneau. Kelcy Joynt notched 16 kills and Amanda Aafedt registered a team-high 25 digs.

Aafedt and Joynt were each named to the all-tournament team.

Moose end season

The Kenai Kardinals eliminated the Palmer Moose with a 3-0 sweep on the second day of the 4A state tournament Friday.

Palmer suffered a 3-0 loss to West in the first round on Thursday.

Palmer earned a spot in the state tourney after playing its best volleyball of the season in the Northern Lights Conference championship tourney. Palmer finished second to Colony in the region event.