Prep volleyball: Warriors, Knights welcome back veteran squads; Moose, Hawks sport young teams

WASILLA — In each of the last two seasons, the Wasilla Warriors annual senior night has been a pretty short ceremony. Last year, Wasilla had only one senior on the roster. In 2012, Wasilla didn’t have any seniors.

After years of fielding younger squads, this season, Wasilla may finally have that veteran core the Warriors have been looking for.

“We have a lot of returners with varsity experience,” first-year head coach Josie Cannon said recently.

Cannon, a former Wasilla High volleyball player, 2001 graduate of WHS and longtime assistant in the Warriors program, said she’s excited to help Wasilla become a contender once again. The Warriors are in search of their first state tournament berth in 2011, and fourth since Wasilla captured the 4A state title in 2001.

“Our big goal this year is to win regions,” Cannon said.

Cannon’s experienced group includes senior setter Peyton Mobley, senior outside hitter Amber Sizemore and senior middle blocker Ashlyn Dorn. Cannon said right-side hitter Courtney Anthony, a transfer from Colony, has also been a nice addition.

Wasilla is off to a nice start. The Warriors won the Palmer Jamboree preseason event, and finished first in the Silver Bracket of the Chugiak Invitational last week. Wasilla beat West Valley 2-0 in the bracket’s final match, and advanced to the finals with a semifinal win over rival Palmer.

Wasilla has been using the early portion of the season adjusting to new systems on the floor, Cannon said.

“We play a very fast-paced, aggressive game,” she said. “We have such strong athletes. We do a lot of conditioning, so that really helps.”

Last season, Wasilla was the No. 5 seed in the NLC. The Warriors upset third-seeded Soldotna 3-2 in their second match of the tourney, but were eliminated by Colony.

Wasilla starts its regular season with matches at Nikiski today and Saturday.

Colony Knights

Like Wasilla, Colony also returns a nice core of talent, with five varsity players back from the 2013 edition of the Knights.

Courtney Mulkins, Sophie Hall, Mackenzie Everett, Ashley Turcotte and Morgan Johnson each return for another season at the varsity level.

“My five returning players have all improved over last season and are continuing to do so,” Knights head coach Amy Carter wrote, in an email.

Turcotte was a first-team All-NLC selection last year.

Carter also noted three newcomers to the varsity level — senior libero Whitley Mattern, and sophomores Mikara Klawitter and Melissa Oathout.

“My three new players have big roles this season, and are improving rapidly as well,” Carter said. “We are improving skill wise and we are working on getting to know and play with the new additions, working as a team.”

Colony finished third in the NLC last year. The Knights have missed the 4A state tournament only twice since 2003.

Colony opens its 2014 regular season tonight, hosting NLC rival Kodiak at 5:30 p.m.

Kodiak is the two-time defending NLC

champion.

Palmer Moose

The Warriors and the Knights each return a handful of veterans, but Palmer is the Valley team impacted most by graduation.

The Moose graduated six seniors from a squad that finished as the NLC runner-up for the second consecutive year. That left only two players with significant varsity experience, senior captains Mariah McNamara and Leiah Reichel.

“It’s all new, people learning each other, figuring out roles and positions,” longtime Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said recently.

McNamara is expected to be the top hitter on the outside, and Reichel the inside, Reynolds said. Both are learning to be leaders, he said, in their own way.

“They’re kind of finding their ways as captains too. Everybody has to figure out their natural way to lead,” Reynolds said. “Mariah is the vocal leader. Leiah is more the strong, silent type. Both are doing a good job setting a good example in practice.”

A number of players will work to help fill the void left by the loss of the five graduated seniors. Reynolds mentioned Allie McPheters, and juniors Sammy Buresh and Carly Venzke. McPheters has been working at the setter position for the Moose, Venzke is a defensive specialist, and Buresh is on the outside.

The Moose also have a newcomer, senior Naomi Graham, a Palmer swimming standout who is playing volleyball this season.

“We’re happy to have her out. She brings that athletic leadership,” Reynolds said.

Palmer, which advanced to the semifinal round of the Chugiak Invitational’s Silver Bracket last week, is currently on an extended break. The Moose will not play until the West Spiketacular Sept. 19. Reynolds said the Moose are trying to set up a scrimmage during the down time.

“We want to set up something that’s more game-like,” Reynolds said. “Otherwise we’ll practice, keep things different and interesting.”

This season, the Moose will be in search of their fifth trip to the state tourney and 13th berth since 2000.

Houston Hawks

Houston opened its 2014 season against Southcentral rival Cordova.

The Hawks have a new head coach. Brittany Fisher will lead Houston this season.

Kathryn Oakes, Caitlyn Oakes and Aspen Ruth are expected to be among the leaders on the squad.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.