Warriors stay undefeated in NLC play

WASILLA — With nine seniors in a program that his hosting the Northern Lights Conference volleyball championships next month, the goals set by the Wasilla Warriors are pretty clear. And while they certainly don’t want to get too ahead of themselves, the Warriors want to be the team to beat when their rivals hit the WHS gymnasium in November.

“That is the goal we are working toward. You never want to count anyone out in our region. There are really strong teams. But with nine seniors we all hope to be the top team,” Wasilla head coach Josie Cannon said.

Cannon said that conversation has started, but the Warriors are most focused on their effort to continue improving.

“We’re talking about it already. It’s definitely been on the girls’ minds season the start of the season,” Cannon said. “We want to make sure we’re well established before regions.”

Wasilla currently stands at the top of the NLC standings. The Warriors improved to 6-0 in conference play with a pair of wins over Kodiak last week. Wasilla opened with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-20) win on Friday and followed with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 24-26, 25-13) victory over the Bears on Saturday.

“Kodiak is always a really strong defensive team. You’ve got to make sure you’re playing consistent on your side as well. We were able to do that,” Cannon said.

Andraia Bella led the Warriors with 11 kills and four digs during the sweep on Friday. Olivia Vincent added eight kills. Lindsey Cizek finished with 22 assists.

On Saturday, Bella provided 16 kills and 12 digs. Vincent added 13 kills. Cizek added eight kills to her team-high 31 assists and 18 digs. Maggie Zwolinski finished with 23 assists and a dozen digs.

The Warriors also scored a key 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16) over rival Palmer earlier in the week.

Bella finished with 15 kills against the Moose, and Vincent added 12. Denisha Christiansen led Wasilla with 14 digs, while Cizek and Alana Wheaton added 13 each.

Mystery Showalter led Palmer with 18 digs. Kennedy Bryan supplied a team-high 12 kills.

Palmer dropped to 3-3 in NLC play.

This weekend, Wasilla and Palmer are both slated to play in the Grace Christian Invitational, which starts Friday in Anchorage. Next week, Colony will join the Warriors and Moose on the road at Kenai and Soldotna. The Knights are at Soldotna Oct. 12 and Kenai Oct. 13. The Moose are at SoHi Oct. 14 and Kenai Oct. 15. Wasilla plays at Oct. 13 and Kenai Oct. 14.

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