The Soldotna volleyball team got its Valley swing off to a rough start Thursday evening at Wasilla, dropping a 3-1 match to the Warriors.

Wasilla won with game scores of 25-23, 25-23, 16-25 and 25-16, which also boosted its season mark against SoHi to 2-0. Wasilla edged Soldotna in five games earlier in the season at SoHi. Soldotna is now sitting at 3-2 in the Northern Lights Conference.

“I think we struggled in our receiving tonight,” said Soldotna coach Sheila Kupferschmid. “We were just struggling a little bit with keeping our balls in, it was ball control.

“But I felt we’re right in there with some of the best teams. To be honest, I am encouraged.”

Courtney Anthony led the Warriors with 33 digs. Peyton Mobley had 34 assists and Amber Sizemore recorded 11 kills.

Libero Alex Ashe led the SoHi defense with 31 digs, while Hayley Ramsell led the offense with 12 kills and two blocks. Skylar Shaw added 19 digs and four kills, Bailey Rosin had 15 digs, eight service points and three kills, Makenna Rosin recorded six kills and two blocks, Haley Miller notched four service points and two kills, and Lindsey Wong had a pair of blocks.

The Stars continue their road trip with a 6:30 p.m. matchup today with the Colony Knights, and will end Saturday with Palmer.

Soldotna will face Kenai Central next Tuesday night at SoHi, which will double as senior night and a “Dig Pink” match. All entry fees will be donated to help the fight against breast cancer. All are encouraged to wear pink.

Also Thursday, host Palmer defeated Kenai by scores of 25-12, 19-25, 25-9 and 25-11.