Warriors cruise past a pair of 4A volleyball powers during first day of the state tourney

Dimond and South Anchorage have ruled Alaska 4A volleyball for nearly two decades. The Cook Inlet Conference powerhouses have combined to win every 4A state title since Service won it all in 2004.

But on Thursday, Wasilla made quick work of both perennial powers.

The Warriors swept both the Lynx and the Wolverines during the first day of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.

Wasilla is now one win away from a spot in the championship match. The Warriors face CIC champ East Anchorage Friday at 5:15 p.m. Wasilla is in search of its first state title since a group led by Stephanie Farris and Alayna Morgan beat Skyview in the 2001 championship match.

The tournament does have a double-elimination format. teams can still work their way into a title match after a loss.

The Warriors started their day with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-13) win over defending state champion Dimond. Wasilla followed with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21) win over South.

The Warriors also swept their way through the region tournament en route to another region title.

Wasilla beat Soldotna 3-0 in the championship match of the Northern Lights Conference Championships volleyball tournament last week at Kodiak High School in Kodiak.

It’s the second straight region crown for the Warriors, who edged rival Colony in the 2022 final. The Warriors needed to beat both of their Valley rivals to earn a spot in the championship match. Wasilla beat Palmer 3-0 and followed with a 3-0 win over Colony.

Wasilla finished the regular season 8-0 and was the top seed in the NLC tourney.

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