Moose spikers sink the visiting Mariners

PALMER -- The Palmer Moose volleyball squad passed their final test of the regular season, defeating the Homer Mariners 3-1 (15-9, 12-15, 15-12, 15-6) at Palmer High School Tuesday. The Moose improved to 7-1 in conference play and earned the top position from the northern division for the Region III tournament, next week.

Behind the hitting of Chelsea Ward, the Mariners were able to get off to an early start, taking a 2-0 lead a 4-2 lead and eventually an 8-4 lead early in game one. Each time Palmer fell behind, they were able to notch a key play to swing the momentum.

"We have been like that all year," Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said. "We often do trail, and are able to kind of a methodical come back, some times to methodical. It is nice to know that being behind is not the end of the world."

Down 2-0, Brianna Johnson registered a kill for the Moose and Palmer forced a pair of Homer errors to bring the score to a 2-2 tie. Down 8-4, Cate Jelle tipped the ball over the net and in between a triangle of Mariner players for a kill. A Megan Tompkins kill and two Johnson service aces brought Palmer within one.

Jelle continued to be on a roll in the first game, registering three consecutive blocks as Palmer advanced to a 9-8 lead.

The Moose would not trail in the game again as Emily Sakis recorded four kills to help shut down the pesky Mariners.

Jelle recorded four blocks, two kills and an ace in the first game, all in pivotal moments for the Moose.

The second game of the match was the closest of the match with three points being the biggest lead for either team. Palmer led 4-1 early and Homer held the deciding 15-12 score.

Tompkins notched three straight service aces to help the Moose jump out to the early 4-1 lead, before the Homer hitters were able to make a comeback. Homer's raquel Kreins recorded two kills and a service ace as the Mariners jumped to a 5-4 lead.

The teams rapidly traded possession through much of the game until Homer was able to put together a mini run behind two Holy McCune kills and a Palmer service error to take the game and tie the match.

Homer again jumped out to an early lead in the third game, 4-1, before Palmer was able to get on a run. Sakis and Tompkins combined for three kills to help the Moose tie the game at 4-4.

Sakis and McCune traded kills for Palmer and Homer as the teams tied again at 7-7. Homer would soon take a 9-8 lead, but it would be their final lead of the game. Behind the serving of Tompkins, Palmer recorded three straight points to take a 11-9 lead. Sakis notched two kills for Palmer to make the score 14-12 and a Jayme Irvine serve landed just inside the back line to count as an ace and give Palmer the 15-12 win in the game and the advantage in the match.

The Moose were able to sustain the lead for all except one moment in the final game of the match. Homer's lone lead of the match was 5-4. The Moose went on a six point run behind the serving of Ashley Mills and the hitting of Jessie Macknicki to take the indefinate lead. Palmer cruised to a 15-6 lead.

Lasting nearly two hours, Tuesday's match could of been the longest of the season for Palmer. The 7-1 Moose have only played in four, four-game matches and have yet to see a five game match this season.

The Moose also celebrated senior night on Tuesday honoring the final home match of Emily Sakis, Megan Tompkins, Jessica Pempek, Brianna Johnson and Cate Jelle.

"It was a big night for all the seniors," Reynolds said. "All the seniors played really well and Tompkins is playing her best volleyball of the season."