Prep volleyball: Hawks earn their first conference victory in final match of season

HOUSTON — If any team deserved a victory, it was the Houston Hawks.

And on Saturday, the Hawks finally got their win.

Houston battled to a 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-7) in over the North Pole Patriots in the third-place match of the Mid-Alaska Conference Championships volleyball tournament at Houston High School.

“It’s pretty much pure celebration,” Houston head coach Greg Gaither said of the feeling among the squad after the Hawks’ scored the win, their first against conference competition this season. “It’s been a long, hard season. I feel really good about the fact they didn’t quit.”

Despite facing the task of building a program rather than chasing championships, the Hawks spent the season struggling through adverse situations.

Houston scored just one win during the regular season — a nonconference victory over Hutchison — and was winless in MAC play. But the Hawks, a team with eight seniors —continued on.

“The ladies really put in their time this year,” Gaither said. “Especially the senior group.”

Houston’s best shot at a regular-season MAC win was against the Patriots at Houston High School in late October. The Hawks built a two-set lead in that regular season match, but North Pole was able to come back to steal the win.

Even though it was a loss, Gaither said it was proof the Hawks deserved to be on the same court as the North Pole team.

“The girls came in with a whole lot of confidence,” Gaither said.

Houston took the first game 25-22, but after the third set Saturday, the Hawks found themselves facing elimination. But Houston, led by its defensive play, scored wins in the final two sets to claim the victory.

Gaither said defense and passing were key in the win.

“The ball handling was outstanding,” Gaither said.

Gaither also noted the play of senior setter Kelsey Thamm and the work off middle hitters Ariel Katzenberger and Mariah Fishback up front.

Houston does lose eight seniors, but Gaither said this win is important to the future generation of Hawks varsity players.

“It’s a great building point,” Gaither said.

Houston suffered a loss to top-seeded Lathrop in the first round. The Malemutes beat West Valley in the finals to earn the MAC’s lone state tourney berth.

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