Prep volleyball: Moose third in conference tourney

Nov. 5, 2006

By Jay Barrett/ For the Frontiersman

It was do or die for the Palmer Moose at the Northern Lights Conference volleyball tournament against the Skyview Panthers in Kodiak Saturday. Both were the top seeded teams from the North and South divisions, respectively, and both were upset by division rivals on Friday night.

Instead of playing in the primetime championship match, where everyone thought they'd meet, both teams found themselves struggling to make the last championship berth by coming up through the loser's bracket in the third-place game.

It didn't look good for the Moose early on, dropping the first two games.

In true championship fashion though, Palmer eked out wins in the third and fourth games and beat Skyview 3-2 (22-25, 15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-7).

In the first game, Palmer stayed close, but came up short against Skyview's outside hitters.

In game two, the Moose managed to stay in the game through a 12-12 tie, but the Panthers went on a five-point run thanks to key kills by senior Jennifer Holland. Palmer only managed three more points as Skyview went on to a 25-15 win, secured by a pair of late service aces by sophomore Missy Massey.

Down by two games, Palmer was on the verge of elimination for the rest of the night. The Panthers took the early advantage 10-2 in game three. Palmer then came charging back, tying the game at 19, then 20 and 24. Palmer junior Sarah Svedin and senior Stephanie Houser had strong performances at the net - both had nine kills each in the match - and the Moose secured the win 26-24.

&#8220We should have put them away in the third game,” said Skyview coach Sheila Kuperschmid. &#8220But we didn't and the momentum switched.”

The fourth was another close game, with the teams tied at 10, but after 14-14, Palmer surged ahead to take a 22-17 lead. Skyview got within one at 23-24, but Palmer tied the match at two games apiece with a 25-24 win.

The fifth game in volleyball is a first-to-15 tie-breaker, but it wasn't close, as Palmer had the momentum after coming back from the brink of elimination, and won 15-7.

&#8220We were really tight and playing a little scared in the first two games,” said Palmer coach Steve Reynolds. &#8220It was really thrilling after the first hard-fought games to see the girls play like they really can play.”

Being the top-seeded team in the north division, Reynolds said the Moose had high expectations and weren't initially comfortable with scrambling for a state championship berth.

&#8220Of course we were disappointed not to be playing in the prime time game tonight,” he said. &#8220But I thought our team handled it pretty well.”

He said after the emotional loss to Colony Friday night, it was tough to come back and play in the 9:30 a.m. losers bracket game just for the chance to play for third place.

&#8220I think that shows a lot of character,” he said.

The Skyview Panthers were shell-shocked after the loss. They entered the tournament undefeated, fully expecting to go to state as well.

&#8220We came in knowing the season record has no meaning in the season tournament,” coach Kuperschmid said. &#8220Every team is scrapping as hard as they can and playing their best game.”

The Panthers are graduating six players this year.

&#8220Skyview will have to start over (next year),” Kuperschmid said.