Prep volleyball: Split creates jam in NLC North

PALMER — In the North Division of the Northern Lights Conference, there’s the Colony Knights and there’s everyone else.

Kodiak and Palmer split a two-match series at Kodiak High School over the weekend, creating quite the jumble in the NLC North standings.

After a win on Friday and a loss on Saturday, Kodiak is now 5-3 in conference play. The split pushed Palmer to 4-5 in the NLC and into a third-place tie with Wasilla.

Colony, 12-0 overall, is 6-0 in NLC will play its final four conference matches this week, the final week of the regular season.

The Knights host Wasilla today and Palmer on Thursday. This weekend, Colony will be in Kodiak for two matches.

The results of those matches could create a tight race in the battle for the top seeds for the upcoming NLC championship tournament.

“I didn’t think we were going to be all bunched up like that,” Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said on Monday.

Depending on what happens during the final week, there could be a tie somewhere in the North Division standings. There’s also potential for a three-way tie.

Soldotna (6-3) currently sits in first place of the NLC South, but the Stars are just a game ahead of Skyview (5-4).

Both teams have one conference game remaining. Skyview travels to third-place Homer (2-6) today to play the Mariners, while Kenai (1-7) hosts Soldotna on Friday.

Reynolds said Soldotna and Skyview are at the top of the South, but Homer and Kenai have improved throughout the regular season.

All could create an exciting NLC tourney, which is slated to start at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 6.

“This year, it seems like a year that has the potential for being real unusual at regionals,” Reynolds said.

Senior Jordan Venzke led the Moose with 15 kills during Kodiak’s 3-2 (26-28, 25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 18-16) win over Palmer.

Senior Mikaela Bolling posted a team-high 21 digs and three aces, while junior Nicole Cherrier added seven blocks.

Reynolds said, even though the Moose lost the match, it was one of the more exciting contests he’s seen this season.

“The Kodiak crowd definitely got their money’s worth,” Reynolds said. “It was hard fought on both sides, back and forth, a really exciting match.”

Venzke and Bolling recorded 13 kills each to lead Palmer to a 3-2 (18-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-10, 15-12) win on Saturday.

Junior Brittany Arlow collected 17 digs, while senior Rashayne Zimmer added 15 assists and four aces.

Tonight’s action between Colony and Wasilla is set to start at 6:30 p.m.. Colony hosts Palmer at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday.

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