Local spikers start season

The four local prep volleyball squads are bump, set and spiking their way into the 2003 season.

As the teams took the court for the first time officially, competing over the weekend in the Palmer Jamboree, Colony, Palmer, Wasilla and Houston are each preparing for the regular season that starts today.

While each team will enlist the help of new leaders on the court, two squads will boast new leaders on the sidelines.

Former Palmer junior varsity head coach Marge Johnson is at the helm of Wasilla volleyball and ex-Houston junior varsity head coach Bill Sieben has been promoted to the varsity head coaching job.

Colony, Palmer, Wasilla and Houston all took the hardwood for an informal event at Palmer High School on Friday and Saturday.

The four squads from the Valley, Grace Christian, Kodiak, Seward and East all took part in the round-robin

Jamboree.

Palmer Moose

There is both good news and bad news around the Moose camp this year. The bad news is, the Moose have some giant shoes to fill after losing middle hitter Emily Sakis to graduation.

Sakis was the Region III northern division player of the year for the 2002 season.

Despite the loss of Sakis, the good news for Palmer is the Moose return six seniors, a list that includes star outside hitter Jessie Macknicki.

"I still like our chances," Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said. "We have some big shoes to fill, but Region III lost a lot of key players. Everyone lost stars.

Macknicki and other key players may allow the Moose to either repeat or improve a successful 2002 season that included a second place finish in the region tournament and a third place finish in the state tourney.

"Jesse Macknicki is amazing," Reynolds said. "When she connects with the ball, everyone goes 'Holy Cow'."

Macknicki is arguably the best player in the region and one of the top hitters in the state.

Also returning for the Moose is senior setter Jayme Irvine.

"No one works as hard as Jayme," Reyonlds said.

Palmer's top defensive returner is senior Tiffany Vaughan. The 5-foot, 3-inch defensive specialist was among the team leaders in digs last season.

The Moose will have a pair of new faces in the middle this season. Not only did Palmer lose Sakis, but they also lost Cate Jelle.

Carolyn Naegele, who transferred from Delta High School, should start in the middle and play alongside junior Megan Meekin, who wil make the jump from the J.V. squad.

Also returning for the Moose is senior Ashley Mills, who will play on the right side, according to Reynolds.

Colony Knights

The 2002 version of the Knights were known as being small and quick, thus making them a defensive squad.

Colony has added some size, but according to head coach Faith Scott, their game plan should not change much.

"We have a little height this year, but we will definitely be a defensive team," Scott said. "We have to be."

The biggest addition to the Knight squad, both literally and figuratively, is Kristina Klapperich.

Klapperich, who is one of the top girls' basketball players in the state, will lend her 6-1 frame to the volleyball squad.

She returns to the sport after a two-year absence. Klapperich started on the varsity team as a freshman and then decided to take a break from volleyball to focus on hoops.

"It helped that I had her in class, so I was able to work her a bit," Scott said. "She missed it enough to come back and help the team out."

Leading the list of Knight returners is a group of juniors.

Amanda Aafedt, Rochelle Ray, Alyson Boyd and Hannah Drake all saw significant time at the varsity level last season.

Aefedt and Ray were two of the top players on the Knights roster last year.

"Amanda is a great all-around player," Scott said. "She is our best passer and best defensive player.

"Ray is our top hitter from last year."

Drake will make the transition from the middle to the setter position. Droll will team up with fellow junior Bette Gilmore to tackle the setting duties and fill the void left by departed senior Zeenie Preston.

Scott was impressed enough with Gilmore's play and leadership abilities to name her a team captain.

Wasilla Warriors

There should be several differences between the 2002 and 2003 versions of the Warrior squad, but according to new head coach Marge Johnson there will be one huge difference-- attitude.

"Their attitude is great this year," Johnson said. "They're a team and they will work as a team."

Johnson said she has already made many changes this year in style and philosophy.

She added that a key to Wasilla's success will be a versatile group of players that are willing to play anywhere.

"We have five people who can in a pinch, set," Johnson said.

Like the Moose, the Warriors lost one of the top players in the region, middle blocker Lyndsey Shogren, but have the luxery of returning a solid corps of players.

Leading the list of returners are middle hitter Carlie Douglas and Jessica Lewinski, setter Morgan Uscola, outside hitter Lindsey Wesser and Melanie Hoeft, who could see time at both middle hitter and setter.

The Warriors also have a pair of transfers that should help the squad.

Outside hitter Laurel Creel comes to Wasilla from Skyview and Marge's daughter Kaylee made the move from Palmer with her mom.

Houston Hawks

The Houston Hawks are also undergoing changes led by a new head coach.

Growing pains can describe the Hawks process of building a volleyball program at Houston High School.

The Hawks should be led this season by setter/outside hitter Brandy Argo.

"Brandy is definitely a player," Sieben said. "She will be all over the place."

Sieben said that the Hawks will be strongest on defense. The small squad will have to rely on their digging.