Mission accomplished!: Warriors end season with title

From the onset of the season, the Wasilla Warriors began to build a path with only one destination, the state championship.

Saturday night at West Anchorage High School, Wasilla had made it to the doorstep to face fellow Region III foe Skyview in the championship match.

After the Panthers stunning 15-9 victory in the first game, the Warriors charged back to win the next three 15-12, 15-3 and 15-9 to capture their first-ever state volleyball championship.

"We didn't work this hard to get here and lose," said Wasilla setter Alayna Morgan. "These two teams are probably the mentally toughest teams, that's why we were here."

Wasilla came into the match having rolled through every 4A opponent all year, quickly destroying any team's confidence and hope of victory.

But in the championship match, Wasilla met a determined Skyview team that was not about to go without a fight.

After Wasilla jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first game, Skyview began working its way back and eventually took the lead 8-7.

Skyview's play on the court looked virtually identical to Wasilla's -- outstanding defense to dig sure kills, good sets for blocks all along the net, and tenacious blocking at every point of attack.

Wasilla began making uncharacteristic mistakes with its hitting and defense, while Skyview gained confidence and took control of the game.

Both teams seemed to be going in opposite directions as the Panthers' scrambling defense continually dug Wasilla shots to set up solid returns. Skyview rode the momentum to a 15-9 win to take the first game.

"Skyview came out and attacked," said coach Cindy Plano. "We tensed up, but the girls did a lot of talking with each other and I just reinforced them to get them back into the match."

A quick set spike by Wasilla's Lindsey Shogren to open the second game gave Wasilla the serve and helped set the tone early as the Warriors slowly started to regain rhythm.

Wasilla hitters returned to form to get shots around Skyview blockers, helping the Warriors to move up to a 13-6 lead.

"Their blockers were taking away our line," said outside hitter Lacey Adcock. "We adjusted by setting the ball toward the middle of the net to open our hitting options."

Skyview's defense helped it stay in the game and close to 13-9.

A tremendous defensive battle ensued as both teams relinquished nothing during seven straight side outs until Skyview eventually scored to make the score 13-10.

The Warriors later scored to make the score 14-10 before Skyview scored twice to close the gap to 14-12.

Wasilla would have no part in dropping this game when it gained a side out and Caitlin Fisher slammed the door with a pounding spike to give the Warriors the 15-12 win and tie the match at 1-1.

After a close 5-3 score early in the third game, everything went Wasilla's way as it cruised to a 15-3 victory.

Wasilla could do no wrong in the game as evidenced by Fisher scoring the eighth point after slipping on her approach to the net while the set was on its way to her, she recovered in time to pound the ball over for the point.

With the score 11-3, Warrior blockers teamed to block three successive attempts by Skyview to get the ball over the net, with the last attempt falling to the floor for a Wasilla side out.

Skyview took an early 5-2 lead in the fourth game, but the Warriors came back to tie it on a big shot from Stefanie Farris on a short set from Morgan at the middle of the net.

A defensive battle ensued again as both teams pounded shots at each other, only to have the other team make a great save to keep the volley alive and the score close with Wasilla leading 10-9.

Miranda Hocker, Fisher and Adcock repeatedly dug Skyview shots for amazing saves that kept volleys alive for Wasilla.

Defensive adjustments in the second game helped Wasilla contain the heavy hitting of Skyview.

"We went to a back row defense," said Adcock. "It has everyone except the middle hitter fall back to defend."

Set up with solid serving by Farris, the Warriors moved to the threshold at 14-9.

Following side outs by both teams, Wasilla put the game and match away with a Shogren shot that finished the Warriors' journey with its long-awaited state volleyball championship.

Although a little shaky at times and not quite in their usual rhythm, the Warriors showed the form of a true champion by sticking together through all adversity and staying with the gameplan that got them to the championship match.

Fisher led all Wasilla hitters with 20 kills, with Farris and Adcock adding 12. Fisher also led with 29 digs, with Adcock adding 25.

"Caitlin overcame mistakes in the first game to really turn it on for the rest of the match," said Plano.

Morgan and Amanda Piaskowski each attained 24 assists in the match.

The championship match marked the first time in many years that no Anchorage teams were present.

Skyview knocked Service to the consolation bracket in the first round then defeated Juneau to get in the championship game.

Wasilla took out Dimond in the first round and advanced to the championship game after thrashing Chugiak in the semifinal game.

The Warriors allowed eight combined points to Chugiak in the three-game match.

Palmer suffered a first-round loss to Juneau then were beaten by Service to end its season.

Hocker and Sophia Taylor were named to the Good Sport team for Wasilla along with Palmer's Alissa Morino and Markie Johnson.

Wasilla's Farris, Morgan, and Adcock were named to the state championship All-Tournament team with Palmer's Emily Sakis.