State volleyball: South sweeps past Moose in semis

WASILLA — Heading into a semifinal match with Palmer, South Anchorage didn’t just bring an undefeated record to the court. The Wolverines brought an unblemished mark.

South hadn’t lost a single game in any match this season, winning 3-0 every time. Friday, the Wolverines continued that streak.

South used its band of hitters to sweep Palmer 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-13) during the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships semifinals at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.

“South’s just good,” Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said.

The Wolverines, which advanced to their second straight state title match with the win, boast a pair of 6-foot-1 middle hitters and don’t have a middle or outside hitter shorter than 5-9.

Palmer’s tallest player on the roster stands at 5-10.

Shelby Stoner, one of those 6-1 hitters, led the Wolverines with a match-high 12 blocks. She also added five kills. Katelynn Zanders added a match-high 11 kills, and Mikayla Sweet added six.

South’s other 6-1 hitter, senior Sarah Johnson, also created problems for Palmer.

Despite facing that disadvantage and a deficit throughout the match, Reynolds was impressed with his team’s effort.

“I appreciate that about them. The Palmer girls for years, we can count on them to go in and fight for things,” Reynolds said. “I always appreciate that. There’s nothing worse than going and just laying down for somebody.”

Senior Jenna Arlow led the Moose with seven digs. Senior Morgan Morfe added five.

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