Underdogs?

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors will hit the court as underdogs Thursday.

Wasilla head coach Claudia Farias-Pinard knows that. But she also believes her squad is capable of scoring the win, regardless of who lines up on the other side of the net.

Wasilla opens ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships play against Alaska volleyball power South Anchorage Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. It marks the second straight year Wasilla is paired with South in the first round. Last season, the Wolverines bounced the Warriors out of the winner’s bracket with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-13, 24-26, 25-16) victory over Wasilla in the quarterfinals.

But this year, Farias-Pinard said she feels if the Warriors play to their ability, they have the potential to knock off the Cook Inlet Conference champions.

“If we keep our heads up and play harder to the win, we can beat them,” Farias-Pinard said. “I believe in my team. “

Wasilla faced adversity early in the season, but played through a great run in October. The Warriors scored key Northern Lights Conference wins over Colony, Palmer and Skyview, and finished third in the NLC tournament at Colony High last weekend.

“The team has grown together,” Farias-Pinard said. “They’ve been working really hard to get where they are right now.”

Wasilla beat Soldotna 3-1 in the NLC quarterfinals, but fell to rival Palmer 3-2 in the semifinals. The Warriors rebounded to win consecutive matches against Skyview and Soldotna on the final day of the tourney to advance to state. Farias-Pinard said if her team played like it did during the conference tournament, the Warriors could surprise.

Wasilla has also been boosted by the return of senior outside hitter Sariah Tuisaula, who missed much of her final season after suffering an offseason knee injury.

During the NLC tournament, Tuisaula finished with 57 kills in three matches.

Seniors Haley Taylor and Jolee Fife have been top hitters for the Warriors throughout the season. Seniors Kayla Bell and Kayla Binggeli are also among the leaders for WHS.

Palmer captured its third straight conference crown at the NLC Championships and will open play against Chugiak, the CIC No. 3 seed.

The Moose, led by NLC North Player of the Year Jenna Arlow, finished 9-1 in conference play during the regular season and swept a pair of teams during the NLC Championships, en route to their fourth conference title in five years.

Palmer sandwiched a tough 3-2 win over Wasilla with a 3-0 win over Kenai Central in the quarterfinals and another 3-0 victory over Kodiak in the final.

“I’m really proud of my team, everyone was working so hard,” Arlow said after the Moose won the championship.

Arlow, a two-year starter at setter and three-year varsity player, leads a squad that includes a balanced group of hitters.

Seniors Morgan Morfe, Kasara Brandenburg and Kalene Smith are among the leaders up front for the Moose.

Palmer libero Lily Cullers leads the Moose defense on the back line.

In other first-round action, Mid-Alaska Conference champion West Valley and Kodiak meet at 2 p.m., Southeast Conference champion Juneau-Douglas faces Dimond at 3:45 p.m.

Action continues Friday and Saturday. All matches are at the Menard, which will also host the 3A championships this weekend.

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