Wasilla sets Palmer in three

With an emphasis on team play, the Wasilla Warriors girls' volleyball team continues to impress with its dominance over opponents this season.

Tuesday was no different, as the Warriors set down the Palmer Moose in three games at Wasilla by scores of 15-9, 15-3, and 15-4.

"We don't rely on one person to carry us," said coach Cindy Plano. "We are able to mix things up with different players and get great play from a number of girls."

Wasilla jumped to a big 8-0 lead in the first game behind great serving from Miranda Hocker and Lacey Adcock. Palmer slowly chipped its way back into the game, closing the gap to 9-6 with powerful shots and outstanding net play from Emily Sakis and Megan Tomkins.

The Warriors regrouped from that point and put the game away 15-9 behind the pinpoint-hard shooting of Adcock and Caitlin Fisher.

Sakis gave Wasilla trouble when the team tried to hit in front of her. Most attempts to hit through Sakis, with her height and leaping ability, were pounded back to Wasilla's side. Wasilla adapted with outstanding ball movement, to set up shots from everywhere on the front line, avoiding Sakis when possible.

Palmer took an early 3-0 lead in the second game, but Wasilla's Hocker soon dissolved the lead by serving the Warriors to five quick points before Palmer achieved a side out.

Four more side outs continued, with each side killing serves without scoring a point. Wasilla's Stefanie Farris broke the deadlock by serving the Warriors to a 13-3 lead before Palmer ended the serve. Farris' serve kept the Moose off balance and unable to mount a good return. From that point, Wasilla finished out the game 15-3 on its next service.

In game three, Wasilla again jumped out to a quick lead at 9-2 behind the serving of Adcock and the constant pressure of returns. Wasilla's excellent ball movement to set up hitters from everywhere on the front line created open areas in Palmer's defense that Wasilla hitters found repeatedly. Wasilla went on to close the game out 15-4 and take the match before Palmer could regroup.

Alayna Morgan, Adcock, and Fisher contributed five kills each in the match for Wasilla, with Morgan also adding 12 assists and Adcock supplying 12 digs.

Sakis had nine kills for Palmer and Emily Mounce added six digs.

Wasilla will play at Colony today at 7 p.m. while Palmer hosts Kodiak at 6 p.m.

Wasilla triumphs

in West Spiketacular

The Wasilla Warriors took top honors Saturday, defeating Valdez to win the West Spiketacular volleyball tournament. Wasilla needed all five games to win the match and hand Valdez its first loss of the season. Game scores were 11-15, 15-5, 13-15, 15-8, and 15-7.

Wasilla defeated Su Valley, Lathrop, and Chugiak on Friday, then went on to beat Colony, split with Palmer, and defeat East Saturday to reach the championship match.

Lacey Adcock and Alayna Morgan were named co-MVPs of the tournament. Adcock had 25 kills in the championship match with 39 digs while Morgan had 27 assists with seven kills in the match.

Palmer finished fourth in the tournament, dropping the third-place match to Service in a five-game match. Sakis had 25 kills in the match for Palmer with eight blocks. Emily Mounce added 12 kills to the match.

Colony finished fifth in the tournament, giving Valley teams three of the top five spots.

Colony defeated Dimond and Chugiak in the consolation round to take the fifth spot Saturday.