Valley veterans: Teams boast experience across the Mat-Su

WASILLA — With the return of seven seniors from a group that made a deep run in the state tournament last year, the Wasilla Warriors are looking to pick up right where they left off.

“We hope to get to the same point and then some,” Wasilla head coach Josie Cannon, said of volleyball squad which finished fourth in the ASAA/First National Bank 4A in 2015. “Progress from what we already established.”

With the work put in during the offseason, Cannon said the goal is a smooth transition into the 2016 season.

“Most of the kids having been playing club (volleyball) during the offseason. We’re hoping to keep progressing. We don’t feel like we were taking a break or stopped at all,” Cannon said.

The Warriors return three players — outside hitter Andraia Bella, middle hitter Olivia Vincent and setter Lindsey Cizek — who started last year. Setter Maggie Zwolinski, defensive specialist Denisha Christiansen also return, along with Alana Wheaton and Emily Rushing.

“Seven returning season from last year’s (state tournament) team is nice to have,” Cannon said.

Junior Leanna Malak also returns.

The list of newcomers includes Malak’s sister, Victoria Malak, a middle hitter, and libero Federica Freschi, a foreign exchange student from Italy.

Cannon said she hopes Wasilla can use its experience to its advantage.

“They still forget sometimes how good they really are,” Cannon said.

Cannon also said the Warriors may also have an advantage when it comes to the mere physical attributes and abilities of her players.

“We’re just bigger and stronger than most other teams,” Cannon said.

The Warriors boast a 6-foot-3 middle hitter, in Vincent, and Bella stands at 5-11. The Warriors also have sophomores Aleks Kvalheim and Cheyenne Green, both 5-10. Cannon also noted Victoria Malek, who is 5-9, “with a very high vertical,” Cannon said.

Colony Knights

Like Wasilla, Colony also returns a bevy of veterans. The Knights have eight players who suited up for the Colony varsity squad last season.

The list includes setter Shiann Bontrager.

“Shiann is setting again and has really improved in all aspects of her game, as well as leadership,” Colony head coach Amy Carter said in an email.

Eve Stephens and Ella Smith lead the Knights in the middle. Carter said both players have greatly improved. On the outside, Colony had Lily Birch and Mikara Klawitter.

“They have both improved every aspect of their game, and also their leadership,” Carter said.

The squad also includes right side hitters Aleah Yundt and Hope Baker, along with defensive specialist Jana Jenkins.

Palmer Moose

The Palmer Moose continue the Valley trend of veteran-heavy squads. Palmer includes six seniors and three juniors on its varsity roster.

The group features four players — seniors Mallory Bradford, Tiana Lee and Erika Spencer, and junior Mystery Showalter — who all started last year for the Moose. Palmer also benefits from a pair of players — Madi Ko and Kennedy Bryan — who transferred to Palmer High this year after starting for their old teams last year.

Prior Palmer’s trip to Kodiak last weekend, Palmer head coach Jayme DeHart said the Moose have had a strange start to the 2016 season.

“During the (Palmer Jamboree) we were missing players due to ineligibility. Then for our West Valley match and Chugiak Invite, we were missing a couple of other players due to injury. For our Houston match we were missing players due to illness,” DeHart said.

Despite the issues, Palmer was able to beat both West Valley and Houston.

Houston Hawks

The Houston Hawks boast a strong trio of seniors — Aspen Ruth, Amanda Lorenzo and Cassie Kapuniai — who are expected to lead the team during the 2016 season.

“We have a strong group of seniors this year. Aspen Ruth, Amanda Lorenzo and Cassie Kapuniai are three of my strongest seniors and leaders on the team,” Houston assistant coach Kelsey Marre said in an email. “They bring leadership, skill and intensity that Houston hasn’t seen in a long time.

Marre also noted sophomores Audrey Giddings and Lexi Rau.

“(They) are sophomores who have shown great improvement and see a lot of playing time, and will be some of our top players in years to come,” Marre said.

After winning their first two matches of the season, Marre is excited about the potential.

“This is just a solid group of girls with integrity and respect. I am very excited about this season,” Marre said.

*** Editor’s note. See a future edition of the Frontiersman for a story featuring the Redington Huskies, a first-year varsity program in the Mat-Su Valley.