Ram spikers aim for state

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

TALKEETNA - With a junior-laden squad, Susitna Valley volleyball head coach Chad Valentine expected the 2005 season to be somewhat of a building year.

After a first taste of state tournament action last season, the Rams' preseason master plan included working toward making a splash in the 2007 state tourney when the bulk of the Su Valley players are seniors. But with less than a month remaining until state, Su Valley is in a better position than expected.

&#8220This year was supposed to be a little bit of a growing season,” Valentine said. &#8220We're a much healthier team, though. We're shooting for state again, and have every intention of going through regionals and on to state.”

Early in the season, the Rams were missing a chunk of their roster, Valentine said, and ever since Su Valley has been fighting back. After losing six matches in the first three weeks of the season, the Rams are now 7-8. Three of those losses came in the Ninilchik tournament on Oct. 15. Since, Su Valley has won three out of four of its regularly scheduled matches, and the team title of the Tri-Valley Slam.

&#8220We're basically working on a more consistent attack,” Valentine said. &#8220We've been able to get the ball up, but have had a little harder time putting it away.”

It's four-game win over Ninilchik on Nov. 11 was against a team that beat Su Valley at the Ninilchik Invite.

Outside hitter Dusty Lester led the Rams with five kills, while setter Noelle Valentine registered 15 assists and three aces. The week before, the Lester and Valentine were each named to the Tri-Valley Slam all-tournament team.

The Rams host the Susitna Valley Invitational, a four-team tournament, this weekend, and end the regular season with a home match against Lumen Christi on Tuesday. On Dec. 1, the Rams start the three-day Borealis Conference Tournament at Cook Inlet Academy in Soldotna. The 1-2-3A state tournament is Dec. 8-10 at Dimond High School in Anchorage.

Tri-Valley, Ninilchik, Nenana and the Rams make up the Su Valley Invite field. Action begins at 2 p.m. today at SVHS.