Wasilla continues roll

Frontiersman sports editor

Colony High School was the site for hard-hitting volleyball that left stinging hands and exhausted girls Friday night in an intra-Valley match between Colony and Wasilla.

Wasilla swept three games to take the best of five-game match, winning battles in the first and second games by scores of 15-10 and 15-12. The Warriors then capped the match with a 15-4 win in the third game.

"We have a tough mental attitude," said setter Alayna Morgan. "Our success comes from our teamwork."

Morgan led all Warriors with 20 assists on the night.

Lacey Adcock led Wasilla hitters with 13 kills. Stefanie Farris had 11 kills and Caitlin Fisher added nine. Adcock, Farris, and Fisher took advantage of great ball movement and setting to continually pound shots across the net to holes in Colony's court.

Colony's Chelayne Dukart also pounded the ball well to open holes on Wasilla's side, finishing the match with nine kills. Stephanie Deml led the Knight hitters with 11 kills.

Deml doesn't rely on pinpoint accuracy when hitting. Deml's blistering shots must be blocked at the top of the net or they likely will not be returned at all. Most shots from Deml either ricocheted off Warrior hands or immediately bounced onto the Wasilla court.

Wasilla took an early 3-0 lead in the first game behind the serving of Miranda Hocker and quickly stretched it to 11-2. Colony started to rally by bringing the score to 11-5 until a hard shot down just inside the right sideline by Farris gave the serve back to Wasilla.

Wasilla brought the score to 13-5, and then Deml gave Colony the serve back with a tremendous shot that hit the hands of Wasilla blockers and bounced to the bleachers.

Colony mounted another rally, scoring five unanswered points to bring the score to 13-10.

With Colony serving, a long volley ensued with both teams hitting and digging shots to keep the ball in play.

Hocker made a tremendous dig on a sure Colony point when she dove to the open spot and somehow hit the ball up to an awaiting teammate. This kept the volley alive until a Farris spike returned the serve to Wasilla.

Wasilla scored two quick points to close out the game 15-10.

Colony came into the second game with high spirits from the moment of the first serve, with Dukart finishing the volley with a smash that had no chance of being returned.

The six players on the court then performed a synchronized backward somersault that fired up fans and players even more. Colony took the momentum to a quick 7-0 lead.

Wasilla coach Cindy Plano called a timeout to try and break the momentum, and it worked.

Behind the serving of Morgan and Hocker, Wasilla climbed back to take the lead 9-7.

The Warriors had regained composure and were once again finding holes in Colony's court.

"We try not to pay attention to the score," said Morgan. "We know that if we concentrate on playing our game, we will come back."

With the score 9-7, a battle of side outs ensued, exchanging serves six times until Morgan broke through the deadlock with a short serve that fell in front of Colony receivers.

With Wasilla leading 14-10, Farris blocked a big shot from Deml, but as the ball fell back to Colony's side, Deml tapped the ball over for a point before Farris could react.

Colony closed the gap to 14-12 before Wasilla scored to give it the 15-12 win.

The two close losses seemed to take their toll on Colony by the third game. Wasilla's relentless returns continually scored as Wasilla took the third game 15-4 to close out the match.

"Wasilla digs very well," said Colony coach Bryce Ray. "They leave very few holes on their side of the court."