Prep teams set to spike

MAT-SU — Last season the Wasilla Warriors were the Cinderella squad of the Northern Lights Conference.

But this year the Warriors are looking to be a known entity, rather than a late-season surprise.

After being a virtual afterthought during the 2007 regular season, the Warriors were the surprise of the NLC tournament, scoring third place and a spot in the state tourney.

“Now that they know it is possible, hopefully they can experience that again,” Wasilla head coach Anna Simmons said of the Warriors’ berth in the 2007 state tourney.

And this season, the Warriors just may have the veteran experience to lead them back to state. Wasilla returns six players from last season’s varsity squad. Four of those players were starters.

“Even though we lost some key players, I still have some all-around players,” Simmons said.

Leading the cast is senior middle hitter Jenna Johnson and senior outside hitter Sammy Becker. Both have been named team captains, Simmons said, and bring solid leadership skills to the team in addition to their stellar play on the court.

Also returning are senior labero Sam Lewis, senior outside hitter Danni Harris, senior setter Alex Firestack and senior middle hitting Kelsey Cline.

Simmons said Johnson and Becker will be relied on for both their offense and defense. And while Wasilla relied on Cline for more of her defense, Simmons feels the Warriors will see more of an offensive attack from her as well.

“Last year her main job was blocking, but she had some good hits,” Simmons said. “We’re hoping to see her step up along with some other players.”

Simmons also noted two sophomores — outside hitters Lina Schadrach and Aryn Crane — and juniors April Gearing and Kaitlin Pevan. All should contribute, she said.

Wasilla is already off to a good start this season, sweeping a two-match series against NLC North Division rival Kodiak at Wasilla High School.

Wasilla opened the season with a 3-1 (25-8, 14-25, 25-21, 30-28) win over the Bears on Friday, and followed with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 16-25, 19-25, 16-14) win on Saturday afternoon.

Colony Knights

It may seem like the Colony Knights lost an awful lot from a team that advanced to the 2007 state title match, but in reality the Knights only graduated three seniors.

“Just three big ones,” Colony head coach Amy Carter said.

The Knights will have to fill the void left by a trio of all-conference players — setter Desi Diselrod, outside hitter Kristan Coan and middle hitter Hannah Curtis, the 2007 NLC player of the year. But the cupboard is not exactly empty.

“We’ve got nine on varsity and all played at least a game,” Carter said. “Seven of the nine played most of the time.”

Leading the way for the Knights are senior middle hitters Allie Grazulis and Kara Larson, and senior labero Jackie Hamann.

That athletic trio also helped lead the Knights girls’ basketball team to a state championship last season.

Also back are setter Siobhan Johansen, outside hitter Sierra Hodgson, Emily Rich, Kara Johnson, Nicole Davis and April Bleicher.

Rich and Johnson rotated between outside hitter and playing right side last year, Carter said, and Davis and Bleicher joined the varsity squad late last year and saw playing time during the state tourney.

Colony opened with a 3-1 win over Grace Christian last week, and travels to Anchorage to face West today.

Palmer Moose

While Wasilla and Colony return significant depth, Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds has a host of new talent filling his roster this season.

“We only have two girls that saw much court time last year,” Reynolds said, referring to outside hitter Mikaela Bolling and setter Rashayne Zimmer.

With a large number of players new to the varsity team, Reynolds said the Moose are still trying to find their identity.

“We’re definitely trying to figure things out at this point,” Reynolds said. “Trying to figure out what our strengths and weaknesses are. We just have a lot of different people here.”

Reynolds commended Bolling and Zimmer — his captains — for their leadership during this process.

“They’re moving everyone in the right direction,” Reynolds said. “how we want to practice and play. We’re starting off with that.”

Among the players who will fill the void left by the likes of graduated seniors Sarah Svedin, Nicole Kenney and Geneva Ratcliff are senior setter Zoe Rozzi, senior outside hitter Jordan Venzke and senior middle hitter Hannah Willardson.

The Moose also have junior labero Brittany Arlow, junior middle hitter Nicole Cherrier and junior outside hitter Danielle Pempek.

Sophomore Kendal Venzke is also on the varsity squad.

Palmer is set to make its 2008 debut today against Dimond in Anchorage.

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

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