Prep volleyball: WHS second in Grace tourney

ANCHORAGE — The Wasilla Warriors finished second in the Grizzly Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Anchorage on Saturday.

The Warriors rebounded from a loss to host Grace Christian early on Saturday, fought through the consolation side of the bracket to get the opportunity to play the Grizzlies in the championship match.

Wasilla head coach Anna Simmons said her squad played well throughout the day, but fatigue finally set in.

“We were pretty tired in that last match,” Simmons said. “We could have given Grace a better battle.”

Despite the loss, Simmons said she was proud of the way her team played after the loss.

“They did a great job pushing through their tired-ness,” Simmons said, also adding a deep Warrior bench was key to the success.

Strong serving and blocking also helped propel the Warriors to the top-two of the eight-team tourney, Simmons said.

Ashlen Welch, Jenna Johnson and Stephanie Bair were each named to the all-tournament team for the Warriors.

After pool play on the first day of the two-day event, Wasilla was seeded fourth in Saturday’s double elimination tourney.

The Warriors defeated Bartlett in the first round on Saturday, and then was sent into the consolation side of the bracket with the loss to Grace.

Wasilla responded with wins over Barrow, Bartlett and Bethel. Those three victories gave the Warriors a shot at the tourney title in a match against Grace.

Wasilla hosts Anchorage Christian in a nonconference match tonight at WHS. Tonight is also senior night for the Warriors.

Wasilla continues Northern Lights Conference play against Skyview at WHS on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Knights, Moose high in JIVE tourney

JUNEAU — The Colony Knights finished second in the annual JIVE volleyball tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School on Saturday.

The Knights knocked off the host Crimson Bears in the semifinals to move CHS into the championship match.

Cordova, the two-time defending 3A state champions, defeated Colony in the best-of-five title match.

Colony head coach Amy Carter said solid hitting and passing were among the keys to the Knights’ success during the two-day event.

Seniors Hannah Curtis and Kristen Coan were named all-tourney for CHS.

Palmer also finished in the top four of the event. Cordova also beat the Moose, defeating Palmer in a best-of-three semifinal match.

Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said the play of Cordova senior outside hitter Kelsey Howley proved to be the difference in the win over the Moose.

“They set her the ball 75 percent of the time,” Reynolds said. “She just rips it up. We couldn’t find a way to stop her.”

Palmer and Cordova split the first two games of the semifinal match. Cordova took a quick 8-0 lead in the final game of the match. Palmer was able to produce a comeback attempt, but the Wolverines were able to pull away at the end.

“To my girls’ credit, we clawed back and got it back to 12-10,” Reynolds said.

Palmer faced an assortment of teams in the tourney the Moose would not normally see. Among their opponents were Cordova, Mt. Edgecumbe, Wrangell, Sitka and Petersberg.

Seniors Sarah Svedin and Nicole Kenney were named to the all-tourney team for

Palmer.

Both the Moose and Knights return to the court Wednesday at Palmer High School in the Cabbage Bowl. The annual match was created to recognize the volleyball rivalry between the Valley programs.