Warriors finish second in Dimond/Service tourney

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors continue to establish themselves as one of the top squads in the state.

Wasilla finished second during the Dimond/Service Tournament Saturday in Anchorage. It marks the second time this season that the Warriors finished as the runner-up in a major regular season tourney. The Warriors were also second in the West Spiketacular earlier this season.

In the Dimond/Service final, defending state champion needed a third set in the best-of-3 match to edge the Warriors 2-1 (16-25, 25-14, 15-10). The Warriors upset the Lynx last month at Wasilla High.

Wasilla was also one of a trio of Valley teams to finish in the top 5 of the tournament. Palmer was third and Colony placed fifth. Wasilla swept the Moose 2-0 (25-16, 25-11) to advance to the final.

The Warriors played both of their Valley rivals in the tournament. Wasilla beat Colony 2-0 (25-22, 26-24) in the quarterfinals, and followed with a win over Palmer in the first of two matches against the Moose. Wasilla beat Palmer 2-1 (17-25, 25-16, 15-4) in the second round. Wasilla’s second win over the Moose came in the bottom side of the bracket in the double elimination tourney.

Jada Schultz, Heidi Brewer and Josi Schachle represented Wasilla on the all-tournament team.

After falling to Wasilla the first time, Palmer beat Eagle River 2-1 (25-23, 17-25, 15-13) and East Anchorage 2-1 (19-25, 27-25, 15-12) on the consolation side of the bracket. Colony beat Northern Lights Conference rival Soldotna 2-1 (25-19, 19-25, 15-11) before falling to East 2-0 (25-12, 25-16).

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