Moose open NLC volleyball schedule with win over Colony

PALMER — Things have been fairly quiet for the Palmer Moose.

Since Palmer first hit the court for the 2014 prep volleyball season, the Moose have seen plenty of tournament time. But prior to Tuesday, Palmer had only two official matches under its belt.

Call it the calm before the storm.

Palmer bested rival Colony 3-1 (25-15, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20) Tuesday night at Palmer High School. The match was the first of three in as many nights, four in a week and eight matches in the next 18 days.

“We’ve played in some tournaments, but they’re tournaments. It’s not the same. It doesn’t feel the same as a regular game,” Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said after the win. “We’re just getting ready to start a bunch. The trade off with that month with not too much going on, we’re now packed full of games, which is alright. We’ll be able to adjust on the fly and learn as we play.”

Palmer used the hitting of senior captains Mariah McNamara and Leiah Reichel, and long strings of serves at key moments to improve to 1-0 in Northern Lights Conference play.

Ellen Groseclose served eight straight points for Palmer in the decisive fourth game to help Palmer clinch the match. Palmer trailed the Knights 15-9 when Groseclose took the ball. The eight-point stretch, which included a pair of Groseclose aces, allowed Palmer to take a three-point lead.

Groseclose led the Moose with five aces in the win.

Palmer’s Naomi Graham served the final seven points of Palmer’s win during the first set.

Reichel led Palmer with 15 kills in the win. McNamara added 14.

McNamara posted a handful of key kills in the fourth game. The senior sent a rocket over the net to give the Moose a 16-15 lead in the fourth game. Soon after, she shifted a quick tip away from the Colony blockers to push Palmer’s advantage to 18-15. She followed by skipping a hit off the top of the net and onto any empty space on Colony’s defensive side of the court to give Palmer its 19th point of Game 4.

Colony dropped to 1-1 in NLC play with the loss. Following the match, Colony head coach Amy Carter said the Knights are still working toward playing more consistent on the court.

Sophie Hall led the Knights with 11 kills, seven blocks and two aces in the loss. Ashley Turcotte added 17 digs and five kills. Mackenzie Everett added 10 digs.

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