Jumping into 2010

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors’ 2009 season came to a disspointing end during the Northern Lights Conference Championships.

Fourth-seeded Kodiak upset Wasilla in the tournament’s consolation semifinal round, leaving the Warriors out of contention for one of the conference’s three state tournament berths.

But 2010 marks a new beginning for the Warriors, who are already off to a solid start.

“We’re really excited about the season,” head coach Claudia Farias-Pinard said on Monday. “It’s been a good beginning for the team.”

The Warriors began their season by winning the eight-team Palmer Jamboree last Saturday at Palmer High School.

“It was a good beginning for the team,” Farias-Pinard said.

And even though Wasilla graduated four seniors who saw quality playing time last season, the team returns key pieces to the Warrior puzzle. Hard-hitting outsides Aryn Crane and Sariah Tuisaula leads Wasilla’s cast of veterans.

As talented as both are — Crane was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference and Tuisaula garnered second-team honors — Farias-Pinard said each has hit the court this season much improved.

“They’re looking awesome,” Farias-Pinard said. “It’s real exciting.”

Farias-Pinard said much of it has to do with another year of maturity, Crane is a senior and Tuisaula is now a junior, but both worked very hard in the offseason.

Crane, Farias-Pinard said, is unquestionablly the leader on the squad.

“She’s a good leader for the team,” Farias-Pinard said. “She’s leading the team really well.”

Senior Amber Curry and juniors Kayla Bell, Kayla Binggelli and Jolee Fife are also among those returing to the Wasilla program.

Bell and Binggelli are the team’s setters, Farias-Pinard said. Crane and Tuisaula lead the squad at the outside hitter position, but the middle blocker spots have not been determined, Farias-Pinard said.

Wasilla, along with Valley foes Palmer and Colony, will compete in the historically challenging Chugiak Invitational at Chugiak High School this weekend. The Warriors begin pool play against South Anchorage Friday at 2:50 p.m.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.