Local prep spikers eye league title

DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - In previous years, any examination of Northern Lights Conference volleyball pretty much began and ended with discussion of one of the Valley high schools contending for the title.

Colony, Palmer and Wasilla have dominated the conference, with at least two of the three qualifying for state each year.

Friday, Valley teams began their quest to be the next crowned as champions at the annual Palmer Jamboree.

Unlike previous years when there always seemed to be a clear favorite, no team stands out this year.

With no dominant squad, any team could sneak away with the title, a fact that hasn't escaped the thoughts of the team's coaches.

"Traditionally, the Valley schools all do well," Wasilla coach Marge Johnson said. "But this year, it's pretty much anybody's division to win."

"This is one of those years where any of the three local conference teams can win it," Colony coach Amy Carter said. "Everyone has such high expectations. It is going to be great to see how the season plays out."

"We expect to be at the top of the division," Palmer coach Steve Reynolds said. "But so does everyone else. Right now it is anyone's guess who will emerge on top."

The annual pre-season jamboree provides teams with their first chance to stake their claim to the role of favorite.

Houston, the lone Class 3A programs in the Valley has a new coach and a renewed desire to earn the same respect as their 4A counterparts.

So with the regular season set to begin there are a lot of questions that can only be answered by playing the games.

Can Colony repeat as conference champs? Will Palmer be able to return to the state tournament? Can coach Johnson bring the young Warriors together for a successful season? And will Houston finally join the winning tradition enjoyed by the Valley's three other teams.

Houston Hawks

In her first year as head coach, Kristin Hammers hopes to build a strong program and move into the winning ranks.

"The biggest challenge for us will be playing consistently throughout the season and finishing strong," said Hammers. "Our biggest goal this year is to move up in the conference."

Among those who Hammers is looking to lead the Hawks to success are senior captain Courtney Elder and juniors Caylee Redford and Alena Katzenberger.

Overall the Hawks program has taken the turn toward joining the Valley's winning volleyball tradition.

"We have a full varsity team, JV team and a huge c-team," Hammers said. "We even had to make some cuts this year. I am happy to get off to a good start in my first year coaching. The girls are really positive. They want to play volleyball this year and are progressing really, really well."

Senior team captain and middle hitter Elder will be the primary point of attack for the Hawks. She's a tall outstanding athlete who is capable of playing any position on the floor. In addition the Hawks have two outstanding setters in Jessica Kiser and Jennifer Mason. They will set up the Hawks new attacking offensive strategy.

"We've got a lot of talent that needs to come together," Hammers said "If we can do that I think we could challenge for the region title."

Colony Knights

Amy Carter returns for her 13th season on the Knight coaching staff, but her first as the Colony head coach. Carter has the task of helping the Knights defend their Northern Lights Conference championship.

The Knights were hit hard by graduation, losing six players from last season's team which finished third at the state tournament.

Despite the losses Carter is optimistic for a winning season and has some key players returning, led by team captain and senior outside hitter Jordan Pokryfki. She will be helped by seniors Kelcy Joynt and Hallie Huggins, the teams only other returners.

"I'm very optimistic about the season," Carter said. "We will have some very talented players. We have lot's of seniors, but we're young experience wise, but their coming together rather nicely."

The Knights roster does feature seven seniors, but only the three returners have seen action on the varsity level.

"Having seven seniors is nice, but not having a lot of varsity experience will be a challenge for us to overcome," Carter said. "Even with all the new faces, states always a goal. We have built a volleyball tradition here and this team hopes to continue to add to it."

Palmer Moose

This season, with the bulk of the lineup returning, Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds is aiming for another step of progress. He hopes to see his team improve on last seasons seventh-place finish at the state championship tournament.

"I'm looking forward to having a team that has solid defensive skills and good passing, and those two fundamentals will help us to run an improved offense. It's going to be a lot of fun," Reynolds said. "We have a lot of kids back from last year's success and they want to continue that success."

In spite of returning all but two members of last years squad, the Moose still have a host of underclassman, including three sophomores, five juniors and three

seniors.

"We basically have the same roster we finished the season with," Reynolds said. "We have 10 returning players who are all a year older and the experience is always a benefit."

The big hitter for the Moose is 6-foot junior Stephanie Houser. She will receive the ball from a trio of setters, who figure to provide a diverse offensive attack. Leslie Berberich, Arianna Cruz and Sarah Svedin will share time quarterbacking the Palmer squad.

"They all set the ball really nicely and that is a good thing," Reynolds said. "Every coach likes to have a good setter and this year I have three of them. That will allow us to mix things up a little on offense."

"I like our chances if we can manage to keep working hard and stay focused for the duration of every match." He concluded.

Wasilla Warriors

A new season means a new beginning for the Warriors and Coach Marge Johnson is optimistic the team can accomplish its goals.

And one of those goals is to improve in all areas.

Six players have either graduated, so newcomers and holdovers will have to blend quickly and find the right mix in order to spike the opposition.

Coach Johnson said, "We got a lot of talent, so if we just work together and have team work try to gel then will be ok."

After an up-and-down season the Warriors are looking to find the consistency they were lacking.

"We will use what we learned from last season to build a strong and united team this year," Johnson said "We're young, but we've got a lot of talent. We have a lot of versatility on the squad."

Senior Kaylee Johnson will be expected to contribute to the Warriors offense and defense. She has established herself as one of the most versatile players in the conference and will carry a heavy load this season.

She will have help from junior outside hitters, Chelsea Lewis and Makiah Podbielski, who should provide big hits from the net and an intimidating block up front.

"Our biggest challenge will be overcoming our youth, but that can also be a big asset for us."

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.