Warriors serve Mariners a sweep

WASILLA — Claudia Pinard-Farias is the newcomer in the Wasilla gymnasium.

The first-year head coach is still getting to know her players, and her players are still getting to know her.

But the one thing Pinard-Farias does know — she expects her team to have success serving the ball.

And thanks to the Warriors’ work behind the line, Wasilla was able to serve Homer a three-game sweep at Wasilla High School on Saturday.

Junior Becca Newcomb and sophomore Sariah Tuisaula combined for 14 aces to lead Wasilla to the 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-16) win over the Mariners.

Newcomb collected a match-high eight service aces, while Tuisaula added six.

“I expect them to keep it up,” Pinard-Farias said. “I believe serving is one of the most important things.”

Junior Aryn Crane supplied a match-high 13 kills and Tuisaula chipped in nine kills to help the Warriors win their second consecutive match and improve to 2-2 in Northern Lights Conferenc eplay.

After dropping a pair of matches to the Kodiak Bears in its season-opening series at Kodiak last weekend, Wasilla followed a tough five-game win over Skyview on Friday with the win over Homer Saturday afternoon.

“I’m really excited about the team,” Pinard-Farias said. “We’ve started really playing as a team now. That’s the main thing.”

Pinard-Farias, who spent time as an assistant coach in the Palmer volleyball program earlier in her career, said the main task for the Warriors early in the season has been simply adjusting to a new coaching staff.

“We’re really just getting to know each other right now,” Pinard-Farius said. “By the end of the season, we’re going to be doing much better. We’re growing. But a new coach, it’s hard for everybody.”

After battling to a tough 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 16-25, 15-12) win on Skyview, Wasilla made quick work of a young Mariners squad.

Wasilla cruised to a 25-14 win in the first game against Homer, and held a 14-4 lead early in the second game.

Homer had its most success during a 5-2 run midway through the second, a run which featured a Caity Marang block and a pair of Warrior attack errors. But Crane pulled the momentum back Wasilla’s way, when she sent a hard shot down the left line for the kill. An ace from Wasilla junior Kaitlyn Hopkins and a free point thank to a Homer net violation pushed Wasilla’s lead back to 10.

Wasilla used an early nine-point run to race to a 23-13 win in the third game.

Tuisaula led the Warriors with 18 kills during the win over Skyview on Friday. Crane added 16 kills.

Wasilla returns to its home court Tuesday to host the defending NLC champion Colony Knights at 6:30 p.m.

Moose sweep Kodiak

PALMER — The Palmer Moose improved to 2-1 in Northern Lights Conference play with a pair of wins over the Kodiak Bears at Palmer High School.

Senior Brittany Arlow served four aces and recorded a team-high 13 digs to lead the Moose to a 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17) win over the Bears on Friday.

Senior Nicole Cherrier posted 12 kills and four blocks. Senior Danielle Pempek added 17 assists.

On Friday, Palmer worked its way to a 3-2 (25-20, 24-26, 24-26, 25-14, 15-7) win over Kodiak.

Cherrier recorded 11 kills. Sophomore Jenna Arlow had six aces and 16 blocks. Senior Jaimi Cox finished with four blocks.

Mara Yatsik led Kodiak with 13 kills and 16 digs on Friday.

Palmer will make the trip to Houston to play the Hawks at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.