Warrior spikers slip past Moose

PALMER -- It took five games, but the Wasilla Warriors were able to slip by the rival Palmer Moose, Tuesday at Palmer High School.

With a 15-9 win in the fifth and deciding game, the Warriors were able to earn the Region III victory.

"It was a fight," Wasilla head coach Marge Johnson said of the two and a half hour battle. "I don't think much separated us."

Palmer earned a slim 27-25 victory in game one and Wasila evened the match with a 25-23 win in game two. The Moose took game three 25-21, while Wasilla came out with a 26-24 victory in the fourth game.

"It was a very close match," Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said. "It just kind of got away from us at the end."

Reynolds said both teams were suseptible to the same things.

"We struggled some with passing and unforced errors and they returned the favor," Reynolds said.

Johnson said depth was a factor in the victory.

"We were able to change things up to get things flowing," Johnson said.

The Warriors were able to use their depth to throw different formations at Palmer. At one point, Wasilla even used an offense with middle blocker Carlie Douglas handling the setting duties.

Douglas led the Warriors with 11 kills and 15 blocks in the contest. Lindsey Wesser registered 45 assists and Haley Sonnentag scored a team-high 25 digs. Johnson said the match was the best performance of the season for Sonnentag.

Karaline Naegele led the Moose with 13 kills and 12 digs. Ashley Dickerson also recorded 12 digs. Stephanie Houser also recorded 13 kills.

Leslie Berberich added a team-high 45 assists.

East 3, Wasilla 0

The East Thunderbirds earned a 3-0 nonconference win over the Warriors Wednesday.

East topped the Warriors 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 in straight games.

Colony 3, Houston 0

Colony earned a 25-13, 25-5, 25-13 win over Houston on Tuesday.

Kayla Fox led the Hawks with seven kills and 11 digs.