Knights score trio of nonconference wins in Interior

PALMER — The Colony Knights are approaching another big stretch of Northern Lights Conference action. With key NLC matches against Kenai, Soldotna and Palmer in the coming week, the Knights are hoping they built some momentum with a successful three-match tour of the Interior last weekend.

Colony finished perfect during its trip north with nonconference wins over West Valley, North Pole and Lathrop.

“We played pretty well, much more consistent that we have,” Colony head coach Amy Carter said.

Colony opened the trip with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-17. 25-13) sweep of defending Mid-Alaska Conference champion West Valley.

“We played really well that match,” Carter said. “West Valley’s very consistent. They keep the ball in play, hit the ball well and play defense very well.”

Senior Allison Leigh led the Knights with 22 kills and five blocks against the Wolfpack. Brooke Deans had five digs and three kills, while Chelsea Friesen collected a team-high six digs and three aces.

Leigh hammered 21 kills to lead Colony to a 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-13) win over North Pole.

“Allison has been playing really well,” Carter said. “Her hitting percentage has gotten a lot better. She’s focusing on that she really has to hit the ball well.”

Maryann Zmuda led the Knights with 24 aces and seven digs. Friesen had a team-high 11 digs.

Colony capped its trip with a 3-0 (25-7, 25-23, 25-13) win over Lathrop. Leigh had 19 kills and four blocks. Brooke Deans added four kills, seven digs and a block. Mackenzie Everett chipped in five digs.

Colony hosts Kenai Thursday and 6:30 p.m., Soldotna Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Palmer Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Kodiak sweeps Wasilla

WASILLA — The Kodiak Bears earned a two-match Northern Lights Conference sweep of the Wasilla Warriors at Wasilla High School over the weekend.

Kodiak beat Wasilla 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) on Friday and 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-13, 25-15) on Saturday.

Machia Toews led the Warriors with nine kills and two aces on Friday. Cassidy Edwards added eight kills, and Emily Pepper chipped in three aces.

Edwards posted a team-best nine kills on Saturday. Ashlyn Dorn had three aces.

Wasilla continues NLC play hosting Soldotna Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Kenai Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Moose beat West, Wasilla

PALMER — The Palmer Moose scored a 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17) nonconference win over the West Anchorage Eagles at Palmer High School last week.

Eilliot Perkins led the Moose with nine kills and Jessica Cole added eight. Mariah McNamara collected a team-high 10 digs. Brecken Riekena chipped in three blocks.

Rita Dexter led West with 11 kills.

The Moose also beat Wasilla 3-0 last week in NLC action.

Hawks beat Lathrop

HOUSTON — The Houston Hawks scored a 3-0 (26-24, 25-13, 25-20) nonconference win over Lathrop in Fairbanks last week.

The Hawks and Malemutes were Mid-Alaska Conference rivals before Houston dropped to the 3A Southcentral Conference after last season.

Houston also suffered a 3-1 (25-13, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24) loss to West Valley during the trip.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com, follow him @matsu_sports and find him by searching Valley Sports Huddle on Facebook.