Warriors rebuilding after loss

WASILLA — Things were looking pretty good for the Wasilla Warriors.

Wasilla, the 2010 Northern Lights Conference runner-up, graduated only two seniors. The Warriors also prepared to promote its class of eight juniors, including outside hitter Sariah Tuisaula, one of the top players in the conference.

But the Warriors were thrown a curveball during the offseason. Tuisaula suffered a season-ending knee injury during a volleyball camp. Now WHS head coach Claudia Farias-Pinard is busy restructuring her varsity roster.

“We’ve kind of rearranged the whole team, moved players around where needed,” Farias-Pinard said.

The Warriors are disappointed to lose Tuisaula for the season, but despite the loss, Wasilla still returns a court full of talent.

“The team is doing really well. I’m really happy with what we’ve got,” Farias-Pinard said.

The hard part is, the Warriors still aren’t sure where a few players will line up on the hardwood. The loss of Tuisaula, combined with the graduation of Aryn Crane, leaves a void on the outside. Now, as the Warriors look ahead to this weekend’s Chugiak Invitational, Farias-Pinard is toying with the idea of moving some of her hitters from the middle to the outside.

Seniors such as Jolee Fife, Haley Taylor and Leah Taylor will factor into the team’s success, regardless of where they line up, the head coach said.

“I’m still working on what to do in the middle,” Farias-Pinard said.

Farias-Pinard said the Chugiak Invite — which also features Colony and Palmer this year — will provide a good opportunity to test her options on the court. Haley Taylor, a middle last year, has already played well on the outside.

The Warriors are also excited to have its tandem of setters back, seniors Kayla Bell and Kayla Binggeli.

Farias-Pinard said the likes of Bell and Fife have stepped up to take on leadership roles. Fife has also emerged as a top player, she said.

“Jolee Fife has improved a lot,” Farias-Pinard said. “She’s my most reliable player.”

Even though Tuisaula will miss her senior season of prep volleyball, Farias-Pinard said she feels the outside hitter still has a bright future.

“I think she’s a great player,” Farias-Pinard said. “She needs to take care of (the injury) now. As good as she is, she can go anywhere she wants, I think.”

Editor’s note: This is part of a series previewing the 2011 seasons of the local 4A prep volleyball squads. For more about the Palmer, Colony and Houston programs, see upcoming editions of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Contact sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiesman.com and follow him at twitter.com/matsu_sports.