Visting Stars take Valley teams to 5 games

WASILLA — After losing consecutive matches by absolutely the most narrow of margins, the Soldotna Stars finally came away with a win during their three-day tour of the Valley.

Competing in its third five-game match in as many days, Soldotna outlasted Wasilla 3-2 at Wasilla High Saturday afternoon.

“Soldotna is going to be a good team,” Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said of the Stars, who lost decisive fifth games 16-14 to Palmer on Thursday and 15-13 to Colony on Friday.

Reynolds said he was impressed by Soldotna, the defending Northern Lights Conference champions, a team that graduated five seniors (including 2012 NLC Player of the Year Kailee Skjold) and lost its longtime head coach, Bruce King. Reynolds said he was particularly impressed with SoHi setter Julie Litchfield and middle hitter Katelynn Kerkvliet.

Reynolds’ Moose stayed undefeated with a 3-0 (25-9, 25-19, 25-20) win over visiting Kenai Central on Saturday.

Brecken Riekena, Mariah McNamara and Elliot Perkins led a balanced Moose attack, with 11, 10 and nine kills respectively. McNamara also collected eight digs and three aces against the Kards.

“She played very well. She had a very nice match,” Reynolds said McNamara.

Macey Buresh added 24 assists and seven kills.

On Friday at Colony High, Ashley Turcotte hammered 14 kills to help Colony edge Soldotna 3-2 (25-27, 25-21, 26-24, 14-25, 15-13). Turcotte also finished with eight digs and three aces in the match.

Chelsea Friesen recorded 25 digs for the Knights. Mackenzie Everett added 37 assists and 13 digs.

Wasilla also scored a 3-0 win over Kenai on Friday.