Kenai volleyball topples Kodiak

The host Kenai Central volleyball team defeated Kodiak 25-14, 25-11 and 25-12 on Thursday in nonconference action.

The result was somewhat predictable even though Kodiak is a Class 4A school and Kenai is Class 3A.

The Kardinals are the two-time defending Class 3A state champions under head coach Tracie Beck and return four starters, while the Bears have a young squad under first-year head coach Donn Sofranes.

Kodiak was playing for the first time this season, while Kenai already had some seasoning after winning a jamboree in Homer on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Throw in the fact that the Bears left Kodiak at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday on the ferry and arrived in Homer at 8 a.m. Thursday, and the recipe was fully in place for Kenai to roll.

The starters returning for the Kardinals are senior setter Kate Wisnewski, senior middle Avia Miller, junior middle Ellsi Miller and junior hitter Sophie Tapley.

Beck said Wisnewski is much more confident in her second season of starting. Wisnewski also played club volleyball in the offseason.

“She’s doing a great job,” Beck said. “She definitely helps us stay focused and finished to the end. She had a great connection tonight with Sophie and Stella.”

Tapley had 14 kills, while senior Stella Selanoff, who saw varsity time last season, had eight kills and seven aces.

“I just mentioned to coach Tracie that, that opposite is a beast,” Sofranes said of Tapley.

Beck said Brynnen Hansen, who had 16 digs, Tait Cooper and Sarah Baisden also saw varsity time last season.

The coach said that means the players got a season of practicing against state champs.

“When you’re playing at that caliber for years now, luckily for us, it does make a difference in our gym,” Beck said. “I’m thankful for that.

“I don’t ever have to talk to them about intensity of pressure or get after them about giving more effort. They’re just a group of girls that are working hard and have dreams and goals to continue to win.”

Beck also is excited about sophomores Savannah Hershberger, Sage Wilson and Grace Every joining the mix this season.

Sofranes had coached for Amy Willis for seven years. He took the job because he worked closely with Willis and knows her system.

He said he’s looking forward to the challenge of working with a young team.

“It’s fun,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing to start them quite young, so they have the opportunity to play at that level. Next year, there will be even more improvement to follow.”

Sofranes said senior captain Kate Holland worked hard at libero, digging up 16 balls. Senior Kamryn Price and junior Maggie Hubert also are captains. Hubert sat out with a minor injury.

Sofranes also likes what he’s seen from sophomore Kayden Agmata, an all-around player who exited the match with a wrist injury. Jillian Academia added nine assists for the Bears.

Kodiak now has Northern Lights Conference matches at Soldotna at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Kenai goes to the 10-team North-South Todd Brewer Tournament in Seward on Friday and Saturday.

Also at the tourney are Barrow, Bethel, Delta, Homer, Houston, Mountain City Christian Academy, Nikiski and Nome.