Warriors bounce Kenai

PALMER -- The Wasilla Warriors defeated the Kenai Kardinals 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-13) in the first round of the 2003 Region III volleyball tournament at Colony High School on Thursday.

The Warriors leapt to a quick lead in the first game of the match and used large runs to keep ample space between themselves and the Kardinals.

In the second game of the match, the pesky Kenai team cut the Wasilla deficit to a two-point margin. Wasilla used a 7-4 run, to stretch a once 8-6 lead to 15-10.

The Warriors used aces by Laurel Creel and Haley Sonnentag and forced numerous Kenai hitting errors to close the door on the Kards in the second game.

"Kenai is a very scrappy team," Wasilla head coach Marge Johnson said. "You have to be ready for that ball to come back."

After building a six-point lead in the third game, Kenai's scrappy play brought the club back and cut the Wasilla advantage to 13-11.

A balanced hitting Warrior hitting effort which included kills from Creel, Jessica Lewinski and Carlie Douglas helped Wasilla go on a match-ending 11-3 run in the third game.

Creel led the Warriors with 14 kills and 10 digs in the match.

Douglas added nine kills for Wasilla and Kaylee Johnson collected eight digs.

Knights top Stars

The host Colony Knights earned a first-round victory over the Soldotna Stars in the Region III volleyball tournament on Thursday.

The Knights beat the Stars 3-1 (25-16, 25-14, 19-25, 25-21).

With the win Colony earned a semifinal date with Kodiak.

The Bears deafeted Homer 3-0.

Rochelle Ray led the Knights with 12 kills and 17 digs in the contest. Kristina Klapperich added 11 kills and four total blocks.

Amanda Aafedt (19), Mackenzie Merril (14), Karin Dau (14) and Jordan Pokryfki (10) also registered double digits in digs.

Houston tops Heritage

The Houston Hawks edged the Christian Heritage Eagles 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-14, 15-13) in a first-round thriller of the Region III-3A volleyball tournament at Nikiski High School on Thursday.

In other action Seward defeated Su Valley 3-0.