Knights bolt into state final

ANCHORAGE — The Colony Knights will be playing for a state title.

Colony bolted into the title final match with a 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 27-25) win over Chugiak during the semifinals of the ASAA/First National Bank State Volleyball Championships at West Anchorage High School on Friday.

Colony, which beat Juneau-Douglas in the first round on Thursday, will play either Dimond Saturday at 8 p.m. at West High.

This is the Knights' third trip to the title match since 2003.

Senior Sierra Hodgson sparked the Knights with 15 kills and 28 digs during the win over Chugiak. Junior Shellina Irwin posted a team-high 19 kills, while senior Katie Gonski continued her impressive play with 33 digs.

Colony used a late 6-1 run to wn the pivotal second match 26-24.

Earlier in the day, the Palmer Moose swept the West Valley Wolfpack 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-21) during consolation semifinals.

Palmer now moves into the tourney's fourth-place match and will play Northern Lights Conference rival Soldotna Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at West High.

Soldotna stayed alive with a 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-5) win over Juneau-Douglas during the first match of the day Friday.

See the Sunday edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman for complete coverage of the tournament.