Senior steps up to lead Wasilla past Colony

PALMER — Northern Lights Conference teams already know they have to think about 5-foot-10 outside hitter Andraia Bella. There’s also 6-foot-3 middle hitter Olivia Vincent to worry about.

But after Tuesday night, Wasilla’s opponents will have to know there’s another Warrior on the other side of the net to plan for.

Senior Victoria Malak smacked a career-high 15 kills to lead Wasilla to a 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16) win over Colony at Colony High School.

“It’s huge. It’s what I’ve been wanting from her all season,” Wasilla head coach Josie Cannon said. “We’re starting to finally get that out of her.”

Malak, who also plays soccer at Wasilla High, didn’t play as a junior. But Cannon is seeing Malak establish a role within the team.

“She’s catching up very quickly,” Cannon said. “She is highly competitive and has an incredible will to win. That’s what drives her.”

Wasilla needed a will to win, rallying after falling behind early.

Colony scored a 25-19 victory in the first game of the match, and played Wasilla close early in the second game.

“We changed our strategy,” Cannon said. “After the first set, there were a couple of things that weren’t very effective with our serving and our passing. We made the adjustments and it worked.”

Cannon said figuring out a way to combat Colony’s offense, which featured Mikara Klawitter’s 12 kills and eight from Eve Stephens, was key.

“One thing about Colony. You’re never going to be able to stop their offense coming at you,” Cannon said. “You have to be able to bring it back at them.”

Malak recorded the 15 kills and four digs to help Wasilla improve to 3-0 in NLC play. Vincent added 10 kills, while Bella chipped in nine. Bella also led the Warriors with 16 digs.

Stephens added seven digs, four blocks and four aces to her eight kills for the Knights. Shiann Bontrager collected 21 assist and five digs for Colony, which is now 3-3 in NLC play.

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