SoHi volleyball survives Nikiski

The Soldotna Stars rallied from behind to win a 3-2 dogfight over Nikiski in nonconference volleyball action Tuesday night at Nikiski High School, with scores of 11-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-12 and the winner-take-all set 15-11.

Facing a determined Class 3A home team, SoHi dug deep to come out on top, and as junior libero Shaylynn Zener put it, the team had to “dig out of quicksand.”

“(Assistant) coach Luke (Baumer) talked about it over the weekend with us, he used a quote from the movie, ‘The Replacements,’” Zener said.

The Class 4A Stars finished 2-1 over a tough three-day stretch of Northern Lights Conference games against Wasilla, Palmer and Colony last weekend, and as the lesson goes in “The Replacements,” “You think everything is going fine, then one thing goes wrong, and then another, and another. You try to fight back, but the harder you fight, the deeper you sink.”

Against a steadfast Nikiski defense, Soldotna had to use every ounce of offensive firepower to claim the nonconference win. SoHi improved to 6-1 overall with the win.

“That’s a very strong team,” said Soldotna coach Sheila Kupferschmid. “They block well and defend well, and are well-coached.”

For the Bulldogs, a close 3-2 loss to Southcentral Conference opponent and perennial state contender Grace Christian on Sept. 9 only helped bolster their chemistry and strengthen any weaknesses that were exposed.

“The biggest goal tonight was to use Soldotna’s talent to get better,” said Nikiski coach Stacey Segura.

Zener finished the night with 60 assists. Judah Aley led the offense with eight kills, Drewe Zeek had five kills, Ituau Tuisaula notched eight blocks, Aliann Schmidt had seven blocks, Kody McGillivary ended with 15 set points, and Cally Christianson notched an inspired serving performance to finish with 18 points.

As a libero, Zener was able to appreciate the stout defensive play by the Bulldogs.

“Nikiski has a really nice defense, they have a good back row,” Zener said. “It’s something to admire.”

Segura credited her squad with its best blocking performance of the season. Ayla Pitt led the way with three blocks.

“SoHi has some awesome servers, and it can be a huge difference between staying focused or not,” she said.

Pitt also had five kills, while Bethany Carstens chipped in eight kills. Melanie Sexton notched 52 digs and five kills, Kelsey Clark had 56 digs, and Kaitlyn Johnson had 13 assists and two aces.

SoHi opened the night with a quick 5-0 lead in the first game, only to see Nikiski answer with a 14-1 run that made it tough for the Stars to come back. Pitt strung together several kill points at the net to help the Bulldogs score eight straight points and take a 23-9 lead.

In Game 2, a tough serving performance by Kodi McGillivary helped SoHi take an 8-4 lead, then Tuisaula came on strong with a big offensive attack at the net. An ace serve by Christianson put SoHi up 18-14, then McGillivary finished off the set with another commanding serving performance to tie up the match.

Nikiski got off to a fast start in the third set, taking a 7-2 lead and stretching it to 13-5 before SoHi could respond. The Bulldogs led 20-10 before Kupferschmid was forced to call timeout.

Out of the break, SoHi went on a 9-2 run before Segura called timeout with a 22-19 lead. From there, the Bulldogs finished with three straight points, ending with a service point by libero Kelsey Clark to take a 2-1 match lead.

Soldotna, desperate to stay alive, came out swinging in the fourth set, grabbing a 10-2 lead thanks to quality serving by Zeek and a stifling net presence by Tuisaula.

Schmidt made her presence known late in the match with several strong kill points and Tuisaula forced a fifth game with a kill on match point.

Nikiski jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the final set, only to see SoHi come back with seven unanswered points on the back of Aley, who came alive with a pronounced attack from her outside hitter position. SoHi won the match on a faulty serve by Nikiski that landed in the netting.

Kenai 3, Seward 1

The Kardinals grabbed a nonconference victory over the Seahawks on Tuesday evening.

More in Sports

Cook Inlet Academy sophomore Ian McGarry battles for a rebound against Birchwood Christian on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Cook Inlet Academy just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
CIA’s Ian McGarry gets 1A boys Player of Year

Cook Inlet Academy sophomore Ian McGarry was named the Class 1A boys… Continue reading

The Kenai Central cheerleading team. Back row, left to right: Caitlyn Martin, Sylvia McGraw, Ayla Tallent, Sarah Baisden, Genesis Trevino, Malena Grieme, Maya Montague, Taya Swick and Cali Holmes. Front row, left to right: Ella Romero, Brooklynn Reed and Makenize Harden. (Photo provided)
Kenai cheerleaders win 3rd straight state title

The Kenai Central cheerleading squad won its third straight Division II March… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears goalie Nils Wallstrom celebrates winning a shootout over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Brown Bears sweep Ice Dogs, move into 3rd place

The Kenai River Brown Bears earned a two-game sweep over the Fairbanks… Continue reading

tease
Bears top Dogs, move into 4th place

The Kenai River Brown Bears defeated the Fairbanks Ice Dogs 4-3 on… Continue reading

tease
Kenai girls take 4th, Kenai boys take 6th at state

The Kenai Central girls basketball team took fourth place and the Kardinals… Continue reading

Chad Anderson of Kasilof and Allie Ostrander guide Everett Anderson, 3, to the finish line Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the Salmon Run Series at Tsalteshi Trails. Getting the free ride on Chad’s shoulders is Ben Anderson, 2. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ostrander, Gemmell make Alaska High School Hall of Fame

Allie Ostrander, a 2015 graduate of Kenai Central High School, and Joshua… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School esports players participate in a practice match of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ahead of a scheduled game at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Esports Week 6: Nikiski is 1st local team to earn playoff spot

Each of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s esports teams had a… Continue reading

tease
Kenai girls, boys move to 4th-place games

The Kenai girls and boys basketball teams both notched victories Friday at… Continue reading

tease
Bears host Ice Dogs, renew fight for playoff spot

The Kenai River Brown Bears begin a two-game series with the Fairbanks… Continue reading

Most Read