Prep squads hit region volleyball tournaments

The local 3A and 4A prep volleyball squads have hit part two of their three-part seasons -- the region tournament.

Houston is the host school for the South Central Conference volleyball tournament, which starts today. Colony, Palmer and Wasilla are currently competing in the Northern Lights Conference volleyball tourney, which got its start yesterday.

A very young Houston squad, which has used the 2004 season as a learning experience, is the sixth seed in the six-team tourney. The Hawks face third-ranked Seward at 4 p.m. today at Houston High School.

Houston is led this season by Courtney Elder and Kayla Fox.

With a win over Seward, Houston would meet second-seeded Grace Christian at 8 p.m. today. With a loss, Houston falls into the consolation bracket and plays at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Nikiski earned the top seed in the tourney and will face the Heritage Christian-Anchorage Christian School winner today at 6 p.m.

Colony is the top seed in the Northern Lights tourney. The Knights are 10-0 in Northern Lights play this season, and more impressively, Colony did not even lose a game in a Northern Lights match until the final date of the season. In 31 games in 10 region matches, Colony is 30-1. Kenai took a 26-24 win in game two of its 3-1 loss to Colony on Oct. 30 to break the streak.

The Knights, led by a stellar senior class that includes outside hitters Amanda Aafedt and Rochelle Ray, faced Homer last night. Results of the match were unavailable before press time.

Wasilla earned the Northern Lights Conference's North Division second seed and are on the top half of the 2004 bracket. The Warriors are led into the tourney by middle hitter Kristen Lenius, and outside hitters Carlie Douglas and Kaylee Johnson. Joining Wasilla in its side of the bracket are Soldotna, Skyview and Palmer.

The Moose have the North Division's fourth seed. Palmer is led into the tourney by seniors Karaline Naegele and Megan Meekin and sophomores Stephanie Houser and Ashley Dickerson.

The top three teams in the Northern Lights tourney will move onto the 4A state tournament at West High School. The state tourney starts Thursday, Nov. 11.