Palmer spikers win Lady Grizzly Invite

Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE - Some volleyball coaches in the large-school class tend to skip the tournaments filled with mostly smaller programs.

But Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds likes to hit at least one of these types of events this year.

&#8220The small schools have to learn how to play as a team first,” said Reynolds, who saw his squad earn the championship of the 12-team Grace Christian Grizzly Invite at Grace Christian High School in Anchorage on Saturday. &#8220If they don't they don't have any success. I always think large schools can learn from small schools in those regards.”

Reynolds said, regardless of overall team talent, some of the state's smaller programs have the ability to give the bigger schools, at minimum, a good match. Even if the play isn't pretty.

&#8220You hit the ball, they dig it up,” Reynolds said. &#8220It doesn't matter.”

Palmer played programs such as Seward, Bethel, Monroe and Barrow - all teams the Moose normally wouldn't see on their schedule.

Seward took the still undefeated Moose to 25-22 in a game, Reynolds said.

Senior Stephanie Houser was named the tournament's most valuable player, while fellow middle hitter Ashley Dickerson earned all-tournament honors for Palmer.

The Moose topped Valley-rival Wasilla 2-0 (25-16, 25-18) in the championship match.

Dickerson led the Moose with seven kills and five aces. She also served 100 percent.

Reynolds noted the play of Mykell Zimmer and Ariana Cruz.

Zimmer posted a dozen assists, &#8220more than she ever gets,” Reynolds said.

Normally, Palmer's setting tandem of Cruz and Sara Svedin record most of the Moose assists.

&#8220We didn't do anything particularly different,” Reynolds said. &#8220She was setting a bunch. That was a good sign.”

Reynolds said Cruz is just really begin to settle into her role on the court.

&#8220She's finding her niche,” Reynolds said.

Tonight, the Moose meet cross-town rival Colony in the annual Cabbage Bowl.

The event was started to recognize the rich volleyball rivalry between the two local programs.

Festivities, which normally include some bowling with cabbages, starts at 6 p.m.

Palmer plays Houston at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.