Volleyball roundup: Knights outlast Stars on the road

SOLDOTNA — The Colony and Soldotna volleyball teams played in a five-game pressure match for the first time this season, and it showed.

Pressure was a factor in the biggest moments of the fifth game, as the Knights lost their first two match points to a hitting error and service error, then the Stars lost a match point due to a service error. The Knights finally finished off an 18-25, 25-16, 15-25, 25-22 and 18-16 victory on a Soldotna hitting error.

The Knights improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Northern Lights Conference, while the Stars fell to 1-1 in the league and 1-2 overall.

While both Colony coach Amy Carter and SoHi coach Sheila Kupferschmid said their squads could have faced pressure better, they both came away more than satisfied with the progress of their squads.

The two teams had played a nonconference match on Aug. 24, with Colony notching a sweep.

“I think both sides played well — way better than the first time we played,” Carter said.

Kupferschmid agreed.

“I told the kids that walking away from this match, they ought to be encouraged,” Kupferschmid said. “It’s early, and that was a good volleyball match.”

In Game 5, neither team led by more than two points. Colony reached its first match point at 14-13 when Eve Stephens, who had 15 kills, spiked an errant pass from the Stars. But a hitting error from the Knights tied it at 14.

Colony then pushed SoHi to the brink again on a kill by Isabel List, who had 10 kills. But a service error knotted the game at 15. Bailey Leach, who had 12 kills and four solo blocks, then handed the Stars a match point with a kill, but a Soldotna service error evened things at 16.

A List kill got the Knights match point at 17-16.

A long rally ensued off the serve of Avery Easley, who had 21 assists and 13 digs. At one point, Soldotna picked a ball out of the net to keep the rally going, but a hitting error ultimately ended the match.

“We have young kids,” Kupferschmid said. “They got the experience of playing in that close game and experiencing those pressure situations.”

Haylee Duguid added 12 digs for the Knights, while Gabby Wakaliuk had seven digs and Hallee Yundt added seven assists. Carter said her squad still must work on ball control and defense, but that doesn’t take away from Friday’s win.

“It was the first time they played aggressive through the whole match,” Carter said of her team. “They really showed they wanted to win.”

Kupferschmid said the middle blocker tandem of Leach and Aliann Schmidt, who had 15 kills and three solo blocks, continues to be formidable. She also said Shay Zener, who had 35 digs and 25 service points, had a great defensive match on the powerful Stephens.

Holleigh Jaime also made a strong debut at libero with 31 digs, while Kupferschmid said Callie Christiansen, with 14 service points and 34 assists, did a good job running the offense. Ella Stenga had 15 service points and five kills, while Kodi McGillivray had five kills and 11 service points.

Wasilla 3, Kenai Central 0

The visiting Warriors notched a 25-18, 25-18 and 25-14 Northern Lights Conference victory over the Kardinals on Friday. Kenai is 0-3 in the league and 0-4 overall.

Homer 3, Redington 0

The host Mariners notched a 25-8, 26-24 and 25-14 Southcentral Conference victory over the Huskies on Friday.

Raisa Basargin had nine digs for Homer, while Kelsea Scott had six aces and Karmyn Galios had four aces and five kills.

Soldotna 3, Palmer 1

The host Stars notched a Northern Lights Conference victory over the Moose on Thursday.

SoHi moved to 1-0 in the league and 1-1 overall, while Palmer dropped to 1-1 in the league and 1-2 overall.

"I told my kids it was a very sweet win for them," SoHi coach Sheila Kupferschmid said. "I have three seniors. We are very young.

"The kids really controlled the ball well today so we could do something."

Houston 3, Homer 2

The visiting Hawks notched a 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 23-25 and 15-8 victory over the Mariners in Southcentral Conference play.

Colony 3, Kenai Central 0

The visiting Knights notched a 25-14, 25-13 and 25-7 Northern Lights Conference victory over the Kardinals on Thursday.

Seward 3, Redington 0

The host Seahawks controlled a Southcentral Conference match against the Huskies on Thursday.

Contact Peninsula Clarion sports editor Jeff Helminiak at jeff.helminiak@peninsulaclarion.com.