Rams place second in 2A state volleyball tourney

Susitna Valley continued its string of appearances in the state championship match. But the Rams were forced to settle for their third consecutive runner-up finish.

Unalaska swept Su Valley 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-10) during the ASAA/First National Bank 2A state championship Saturday evening at Dimond High School in Anchorage.

The win gave the Raiders their second straight state title in their second straight meeting with Su Valley, their Borealis Conference rival. The Rams finished second to Birchwood Christian in 2023. Su Valley has been in search of its first state title since 2021. The Rams were also third in 2022.

Unalaska and Su Valley also clashed in the semifinals Friday night, with the Raiders scoring a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22). The Rams bounced back, beating Sand Point 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 25-21, 25-17) in an elimination match Saturday morning.

Su Valley also won its first two matches of the tournament. The Rams beat Metlakatla 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-14) and Dillingham 3-1 (25-9, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21) en route to a trip to the semis.

Su Valley’s Jayden Sliker was named the top setter of the tournament. Sliker, Maris Mossanen and Lily Esmailka represented the Rams on the all-tournament team.

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