Warriors hold on, earn win over Stars

WASILLA — Great win for the Wasilla Warriors. “Good loss” for the Soldotna Stars.

That’s not something heard every day, but that’s how Soldotna head coach Shelia Kupferschmid felt after Wasilla outlasted the Stars 3-2 (25-22, 25-22, 8-25, 21-25, 15-13) Friday night at Wasilla High.

“I’m OK; 15-13 in five,” Kupferschmid said. “A good loss.”

Soldotna found itself behind early and late. Wasilla took the first two sets of the match, and led 8-1 early in the fifth game. Soldotna, not only rallied to win consecutive games to force a fifth set, but cut Wasilla’s advantage to just a point, 14-13, late in the fifth game.

“I’m very pleased my kids did not quit,” Kupferschmid said. “They were good enough to come back.”

Wasilla head coach Josie Cannon was thrilled to see her team survive the Stars rally, and a few hiccups along the way, and secure its second five-set win over a Northern Lights Conference opponent in less than three weeks. The Warriors also beat Palmer 3-2, with a 15-13 victory in the fifth game, in late September.

“It was bit of a roller-coaster,” Cannon said of the win over the Stars.

After taking the two-game lead, Wasilla watched as its momentum vanished as Soldotna took the third game 25-8.

“That’s the sport of volleyball,” Cannon said of the momentum swings. “I’m really happy we had the determination to bounce back.”

Soldotna forced a final set with a 25-21 win in the fourth game.

“Soldotna’s always tough. Very strong defensively, and an offense to back it up,” Cannon said.

Wasilla’s Cheyenne Green used an ace early in the fifth game, and served her team a 4-0 lead. Tristan Merchant picked up another ace during a four-point run to push Wasilla’s lead to 8-1.

“We needed it. I’m glad we had it,” Cannon said of the early lead in the fifth game. “We let off the gas pedal.”

Cannon praised the work of libero Emily Cizek throughout the game, particularly Cizek’s passing.

“I think our libero played really consistent throughout the entire match. (She) put up a pretty pass almost every time she touched the ball,” Cannon said. “Without that, we would have not been in this match.”

Kupferschmid said Kodi McGilivary was key for the Stars, stepping up to help fill a void left Ella Stenga, who did not play due to injury.

“I felt like (she) stepped up and did an awesome job on defense on that right side for Ella,” Kupferschmid said.

Kamryn Broach led Wasilla with a dozen kills in the win. Kaitlyn Cook had 38 assists and nine digs.

Aliann Schmidt led Soldotna with a match-high 17 kills. Bailey Leach added 11 kills and three blocks. Cally Christiansen finished with 22 assists.

Wasilla improved to 6-2 in NLC play with the win.

Overall, both head coaches said Friday’s match is an indication of how close the play could be in the upcoming region tournament in Kodiak.

“Against both Palmer and Wasilla, we’re 1-1. Next time we see them is going to be in the region tournament,” Kupferschmid said.

Cannon said there’s plenty of parity in the conference.

“It’s a very tight top of the bracket,” Cannon said.

Colony 3, Soldotna 0

The Colony Knights sent the Soldonta Stars back home without a win.

Colony swept the Stars 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 26-24) Saturday at Colony High School. Eve Stephens led Colony with 16 kills and a five digs. Isabell List added 24 assists and seven kills. Haylee Duguid finished with 16 digs and four aces.

Soldotna finished 0-3 during its three-day stay in the Valley. Palmer beat SoHi 3-1 on Thursday, and Wasilla outlasted the Stars 3-2 Friday night.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.