The host Kenai Central volleyball team defeated Nikiski 25-17, 19-25, 25-18 and 25-15 on Tuesday in Southcentral Conference action.

The Kardinals are now 1-0 in the league and 3-0 overall, while the Bulldogs are 0-1 and 0-1.

The two squads were two of the top Class 3A contenders in the state last season, with Kenai winning a second-straight state title and Nikiski finishing third.

With both squads returning a ton of experience, they are once again expected to be state contenders.

The Kardinals and Bulldogs have seen a lot of each other. Kenai got the best of Nikiski at a season-opening jamboree, Nikiski beat Kenai for the North/South Todd Brewer Tournament title in Seward, and Kenai defeated Nikiski on Saturday for the 17th Annual Shayna Pritchard Memorial Volleyball Tournament.

“Playing teams like Nikiski, it shows you what we need to work on,” Kenai head coach Tracie Beck said. “And losing is always a great motivator that we have to continue to grow.

“And so I was super proud of the girls. They really veered away from the game plan, because they’re teenage girls, for a bit, but then pulled it back in and went back at it.”

Nikiski head coach Stacey Segura said Tuesday’s loss can now serve as motivation for her squad.

“I think after we beat Kenai, they obviously seem motivated,” Segura said. “Hopefully this gives the girls motivation in practice and the rest of the games that they play in before they see Kenai again.”

With the Kenai Central band playing Tuesday, Segura called Kenai’s home court advantage “brain rattling.”

“I love the band,” Beck said. “I don’t know how you wouldn’t be affected by a band that’s as good as that band. The band members are cheering and wanting you to do well and just super supportive.”

Saturday, Kenai was able to win despite having some trouble passing Nikiski’s serves. Beck said the Kardinals worked on passing to the target — setter Kate Wisnewski — during Monday’s practice and it paid off.

“That was the focus, to get the ball to target so we can run our offense,” Beck said.

Beck also said Wisnewski and middle hitter Ellsi Miller are feeling better after injuries early in the season.

Wisnewski had 48 assists, nine digs and four kills against Nikiski, while Miller had 13 digs, eight kills and six aces.

Beck said the good passing allowed Wisnewski to run some nice attacks to Avia Miller, who had seven kills. Sophie Tapley had eight kills and six blocks, while Stella Selanoff had 56 digs and nine kills, and Sarah Baisden had 17 digs and six kills.

“She did a great job of taking opportunities and moving her different shots around,” Beck said. “She has been very consistent. She’s worked her tail off to get where she is.”

Brynnen Hansen had 53 digs.

Segura remains optimistic because her team has so much room for growth.

“I feel like we got outworked today, as far as hustle and intensity go, which is 100% fixable,” she said. “So I’m not entirely worried.”

While the Kardinals are nearing full health, Nikiski’s ferocious blocker, Mandee Roofe, played sparingly with an ankle injury. Segura said Roofe had not practiced since the injury but felt good enough for some reps Tuesday.

Ashlynne Playle had 13 kills, 10 blocks and two aces for the Bulldogs, while Avery Ellis had 21 digs and 16 assists, and Kailey Stynsberg had 21 digs and two aces.

Also, Abby White had 12 digs, Blakeley Jorgensen had six blocks, Alexa Iyatunguk had nine kills and Evelyn Reichert had 16 digs.

Kenai hosts Palmer in a nonconference homecoming match at 6 p.m. Thursday. Nikiski travels to Anchorage for conference action — Mountain City Christian Academy on Friday and Grace Christian on Saturday.

Homer 3, Soldotna 0

The host Mariners defeated the Stars 25-16, 25-22 and 25-21 in Tuesday nonconference play.

Homer is now 1-0 in nontournament play, while the SoHi is 2-2.

Mariners head coach Ian Overson wrote in a text message that the match was a great way to start the season, and that teamwork was great on and off the court.

“We had some really good practices leading up to it and it showed during the game,” Overson wrote. “Soldotna had some good runs but we held our composure and finished strong.”

Channing Lowney had 13 kills for Homer, while Reilly Sue Baker had 10 kills, Rebecca Trowbridge had 11 assists and four aces, Alysha Nyvall had eight assists, and Brightly Thoning had five kills and two blocks.

For the Stars, Sadie Lane and Morgan Siemac each had five kills. Lane and Abygale Schaeffer each had two aces, while Cassidy Kruse had three blocks and Veronica Crane had 12 digs.

Soldotna jumps back into Northern Lights Conference action this weekend, hosting Palmer on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Palmer on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Homer jumps into Southcentral Conference action with a trip to Anchorage, playing Grace Christian on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Mountain City Christian Academy on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.