WHS nets sweep

PALMER — After cruising through the first two sets Tuesday, the Wasilla Warriors ran into an obstacle during the third game. That obstacle came in the form of Colony 6-foot sophomores Allison Leigh and Mary Klapperich.

Despite a run sparked by Colony’s blocking tandem of tenth-graders, the Warriors held on for a 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-17) win over the Knights at Colony High School.

Leigh posted a pair of blocks during a Colony four-point to give the Knights a bit of life in the best-of-5 match. But then senior Aryn Crane, who was on the losing end of both of those blocks, changed the game plan. Crane knocked a pair of kills deep into the Colony back row during a Wasilla five-point run that permanently pulled the momentum the Warriors’ way.

“We always adjust, especially if one of us is getting blocked,” said Crane, who led the Warriors with 13 kills. “We’re a small team. We always run up against big people. We kind of just work our way around it.”

Wasilla head coach Claudia Farias-Pinard said that was key.

“A good team adjusts,” Farias-Pinard said. “Volleyball’s all about adjustments. You’ve got to be ready all the time.”

What didn’t change was Wasilla’s unbeaten status. The Warriors improved to 5-0 with the win and 3-0 in Northern Lights Conference play.

Sariah Tuisaula added 10 kills during the win and was one of four Warriors to finish with at least two aces. Haley Taylor led Wasilla with four aces. Taylor and Jolee Fife recorded seven blocks each.

Colony dropped to 1-1 with the loss. Klapperich led the Knights with eight kills. Senior Shellina Irwin recorded seven kills and a team-best eight digs.

Colony head coach Amy Carter said it was tough for her young team to play from behind.

“They jumped up a few points in those first two games and we couldn’t get anything going,” Carter said. “Once you get down, they’re not a team you can run off 10 points on.”

The Wasilla volleyball squad is hosting a Hawaiin luau Sept. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Wasilla High School. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children.

Wasilla volleyball players are selling tickets. For more information, contact the school at 352-8200.

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