Prep volleyball: Moose claim Cabbage Bowl

Oct. 13, 2006

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

PALMER - Even with one its best players on the sideline, the Palmer volleyball squad didn't miss a step.

Senior middle hitter Stephanie Houser, a certain candidate for the conference player of the year award, was forced to miss Palmer's match with Colony Tuesday because of an ankle injury, but the Moose showed their depth, and swept the Knights 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-18) at Colony High School.

Although Palmer was without one of its better players, Moose head coach Steve Reynolds saw the positive.

&#8220I thought it was a good opportunity for us,” Reynolds said. &#8220I like to play without people sometimes during the regular season, so they get a chance to make adjustments.”

Palmer junior Geneva Ratcliff filled the void left by Houser.

&#8220Geneva stepped right in there,” Reynolds said.

Not only did Ratcliff have to adjust from playing on the outside to a middle hitter position, Reynolds said, she was matched up against one of Colony's top players - junior middle hitter Hannah Curtis.

&#8220She's good, and quick and tall,” Reynolds said of Curtis. &#8220Geneva had her hands full.”

Curtis led the Knights with 10 kills and three blocks.

Nicole Kenney led the Moose with 11 kills, while Ashley Dickerson added eight kills.

With the win, the Moose won the Cabbage Bowl for the third time, the event created to recognize the volleyball rivalry between the two Valley schools.

On Wednesday, Palmer swept Houston 3-0.

Palmer, 9-0 overall and 3-0 in Northern Lights Conference play, travels to Kodiak this weekend for a two-match series against the Bears.

Kodiak is currently tops in the NLC's Northern Division with a 4-0 conference mark. The Bears are 6-1, with their only loss coming to Juneau last week.

Two weeks ago, Palmer defeated Juneau 3-1.

Colony dropped to 1-4 in region play. The Knights are one of three Valley teams slated to compete in the Dimond/Service Tournament this weekend. Houston and Wasilla are also scheduled to participate in the Anchorage-based tournament.

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