Valley volleyball coaches excited about the potential of their 2013 teams

PALMER — The Houston Hawks volleyball team would love to take a page from the Houston girls’ basketball playbook.

Last season, after the school ended it’s five-year stay in the 4A class and returned to its old home in the 3A Southcentral Conference, the Houston girls basketball team did something the Hawks had not accomplished in more than 20 years. Houston advanced to the state tournament.

It’s also been more than 20 years since the Houston volleyball team advanced to state. The Hawks were the 123A state runner-up in 1991 and 1993. It may be premature to pencil Houston into the field for the big tourney at this moment. But under the guidance of second-year head coach Christy Zahrt, the Hawks are working for the chance to climb up the Southcentral Conference ladder. Zahrt said the Hawks are still rebuilding the program. But she’s excited about a foundation that includes five seniors on varsity, and about 20 underclassmen in the program.

“We’re definitely continuing to rebuild. But the nice thing about this group of girls, they’re hard workers. They’re dedicated, and have gelled as a team. That aspect is very positive as far as improvement,” she said.

Zahrt saw that improvement late last year. The Hawks entered the region tournament paired with a top seed, Nikiski, in the first round. But the Hawks took the Bulldogs (a state tournament squad) to five games.

“We grew a lot from the beginning to the end,” Zahrt said. “We gave them a good run for their money.”

Seniors Sydnee Belanger, Angelique Malidore, Emilee Melin, Khristen Nida and Samantha Nida will lead the squad this year. Khristen Nida and Emily Melin are both four-year starters on the Houston varsity. Zahrt said Nida and Malidore are her captains and vocal leaders. Melin is the silent leader.

“If something needs to happen, she’ll get it done,” Zahrt said of Melin.

Zahrt said assistant coach Brittney Rice, a Houston alum, is playing a key role in the effort to build the program. She’s also excited about the young talent the Hawks have, including three freshmen who made the varsity roster.

PALMER MOOSE

Steve Reynolds is accustomed to having key seniors on his roster. But Reynolds, who has led Palmer to three Northern Lights Conference titles in the last four years, said depth is the key to this senior class.

“We have a lot of seniors, more than we’ve had in quite a few years,” Reynolds said recently.

Two of those seniors — setter Macey Buresh and outside hitter Elliot Perkins — were named first-team All-NLC last season. The class also features middle hitter Brecken Riekena, setter Malena Showalter, middle blocker Kalei DePriest and Cassidy Giese, a defensive specialist.

“They’re just such a nice group of girls too,” Reynolds said of his squad. “They’re really fun to be around. We certainly look forward to practice.”

Palmer’s junior class is led by outside hitter Mariah McNamara, a second-team all-NLC selection last year. Reynolds also noted sophomore Callista Clark.

Prior to the Chugiak Invitational last weekend, Reynolds echoed the thoughts he’s had going into recent seasons. He’s cautiously optimistic.

Reynolds has reason to be excited. His team has finished third in state in consecutive years, and has played for a region title in four straight seasons. But he’s also a veteran of the game.

“I’ve been around long enough to know the high school game, and know the unpredictability of it,” Reynolds said.

The Moose are off to a nice start to the 2013 season. Palmer placed second in the 15-team Chugiak Invitational on Saturday, falling 2-1 to Dimond in the final match.

WASILLA WARRIORS

Last season, the Wasilla Warriors were unable to celebrate senior night.

They didn’t have a senior.

This year, the Warriors will have their senior night. But it will be a quick celebration. Defensive specialist Aimee Bushnell is the lone 12th-grader on the roster.

“The team again is young,” head coach Claudia Farias Pinard said recently.

But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like what she has to work with.

“This is a really good group. I’m really excited this season,” Farias Pinard said.

Farias Pinard is particularly excited about a junior group that includes middle blocker Cassidy Edwards, outside hitter Amber Sizemore, right side hitter Alexis Abbott and setter Ashlyn Dorn.

Farias Pinard also has three sophomores on her team.

So far, the head coach likes what she sees. Farias Pinard said her team played well during the preseason Palmer Jamboree, and the Warriors opened the season with a 3-1 win over rival Colony.

“The jamboree was really good, an indicator where we’re at; which things we need to work on,” she said. “They still need to improve, but we’ll get to where we want by the end of the season.”

COLONY KNIGHTS

The Colony Knights graduated key seniors including first-team All-NLC selections Maryann Zmuda and 6-foot-1 middle hitter Allison Leigh, who moved on to play volleyball for Division I Quinnipiac.

While the cupboard is not exactly bare, longtime Colony High coach Amy Carter said the Knights may face some growing pains as they try to fit new pieces into new places.

“We need to figure out where the new people are playing,” Carter said.

Athleticism could be key for the Knights. The team features a number of multi-sport athletes including junior setter Mackenzie Everett, senior libero Chelsea Friesen and junior hitter Ashley Turcotte.

Carter said she expects Everett to be a top player and leader for the Knights.

“She needs to be one of my leaders. Her, Chelsea and Ashley need to be my vocal leaders,” Carter said.

Carter said she’s also been impressed with the work of Brooke Nezaticky and Zoe Headley. Colony also participated in the Chugiak Invitational. After finishing 4-4 in pool play during the first day of the tournament, the Knights were 1-2 in the gold bracket.