Local volleyball coaches dig potential of Valley squads

WASILLA — Less than two full weeks into the prep volleyball season, it’s tough for most to get a clear forecast in the Northern Lights Conference. But if a few early-season matches are any indication, parity may once again be queen in the NLC.

Early last week, Palmer edged Colony 3-2, winning 15-13 in the decisive set in the best-of-5 match. Last weekend, Wasilla captured the title of Nikiski High’s Shayna Pritchard Memorial with a 2-1 nonconference win over NLC rival Soldotna. The Warriors used a 16-14 victory in the final set of the best-of-3 match to beat the Stars.

Palmer’s win over Colony was an official NLC match. But Wasilla’s work a tourney, that featured the likes of SoHi and Kenai gave the Warriors a free sneak peak at the conference.

“It was great to get a look at what to expect later in the season,” Warriors coach Josie Cannon said recently.

Winning the team title of the Nikiski tournament marked a promising start for a Warriors squad, which includes veterans such as seniors Merit Paramo, Cate Currier, Courtney Anthony and Brooke Queripel. Currier and Anthony have both been key defenders on the back line for the Warriors, while the 5-foot-10 Queripel could help anchor a tall front line for Wasilla.

Joining Queripel, who can play in the middle or on the outside, are a pair of players who stand about 6-foot-3 — Leya DePriest and Olivia Vincent.

“It makes for strong play at the net,” Cannon said of her team’s height up front.

Wasilla also has junior setter Lindsey Cizek, the leader on the court, Cannon said.

Overall, Cannon is excited about the potential.

“I think we’ve got great team chemistry, in addition to height and skill,” Cannon said.

Defending NLC champion Palmer entered the 2015 season with a new head coach. Longtime assistant and former Moose standout Jayme DeHart is at the helm of the program, replacing longtime former head coach Steve Reynolds, who stepped down during the offseason. DeHart said the change in head coach has not led to drastic changes within the program.

“It’s pretty much business as usual,” DeHart said.

The Moose were regularly competing for the NLC crown under Reynolds, making 11 trips to the championship game while winning six NLC titles during his 15 years as head coach. This year, DeHart will look to a group of veterans to help Palmer attempt to maintain its spot among the NLC elite.

That group includes defensive specialist Carly Venzke, outside hitters Sammy Buresh and Holly Corbin, middle blocker Katy Bowman and setter Sarah LeCheminant. DeHart also noted junior setter Tiana Lee.

“We’re having a good time. We haven’t had a lot of games, but we’re practicing hard,” DeHart said of the Moose.

Colony joined Palmer in the state tournament last season. The Knights finished third in the NLC, but were hit hard by graduation. The Knights waved goodbye to a talented senior class, with at least four athletes — Ashley Turcotte (Iowa Central Community College), Morgan Johnson (Southwestern Oregon Community College), Sophie Hall (Western Oregon) and Mackenzie Everett (United States Coast Guard Academy) — who committed to play at the college level.

Longtime head coach Amy Carter is now looking at veterans such as Mikara Klawitter, Melissa Oathout, Ellie Lessard and Lily Birch to lead her team. Carter also noted newcomers Hope Baker, Shiann Bontrager, Maddy Ko and Eve Stephens.

“We are really young, but the players are improving every practice and every game. They play together well and are really fun to coach,” Carter said.

Like Palmer, Houston, which plays in the 3A Southcentral Conference, has a new head coach. But unlike DeHart’s promotion to head coach at PHS, Houston High is starting out with a brand new set of coaches.

“It’s been a big change,” first-year head coach Alex Harris said recently. “First-time coach, the entire coaching staff is all brand new. It’s been a big learning curve.”

But Harris is already excited about the progress. Harris said the Hawks are getting positive feedback, and she continues to see improvement. Another positive, Harris said, is the number of veterans within the program.

Basically the entire starting lineup is made up of seniors. That group includes libero Ariel Niles, outside hitters Riley Wilkerson and Danielle Winzenburg and middle hitter Alicia Gail. Harris also noted junior Aspen Ruth.

Overall, work ethic and great attitude, stands out, Harris said.

“They want to improve. The come to practice ready to go,” Harris said. “This group is very coachable, very easy to talk to.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.