Soldotna volleyball stops Homer

The host Soldotna volleyball team defeated Homer 29-31, 25-17, 25-16 and 25-21 on Tuesday in nonconference action.

The Stars move to 5-0 in nontournament play, while the Mariners lost their first nontournament match of the season.

Homer came in riding high after defeating defending Class 3A state champ Nikiski for third place at the 18th annual Shayna Pritchard Memorial Volleyball Tournament on Saturday in Nikiski.

The Mariners fought off four match points in the first game before stuff blocks on two consecutive points gave them the win.

“I think our girls put on an amazing fight,” Homer coach Brenna Dornellas said. “They wanted that game so bad.”

Soldotna head coach Luke Baumer was impressed with Homer’s overall scrappiness and the outside hitting of Swift Blackstock and Reilly Sue Baker. The coach said both of them swing very high and fast.

“It’s not a ball you’re used to seeing,” he said. “Everybody else is hitting and it’s going straight down. This is going deep corners and it’s going high into your face, so it’s a different ball to try to dig.”

Baumer said libero Grayson Henry (28 digs), setter Teagen Kobylarz (27 digs, 32 assists) and outside hitter Morgan Simac (22 kills) were the key to turning the match around.

Henry and Kobylarz were all over the place digging up Homer’s high-voltage attack, and Baumer also added Emma Glassmaker and Samantha Piscoya to the back row for even more speed.

Baumer said it was then time to lean on outside hitters Simac and Cassidy Kruse (nine kills, two blocks) to finish points.

“When you get a dig, it’s not going to be a really great pass, it’s going to be popped up in the air, and the setter has to put it somewhere,” he said. “The easiest place to put it is the outside.”

Homer made it easier on the Stars by consistently missing serves throughout the match.

“I thought we lost some really good opportunities on the serves,” Dornellas said. “But besides that, we’re right there and coming up really hot on their heels.”

Baumer said it was a nice relief every time the Mariners missed a serve.

“I would agree the missed serves were definitely a big factor for them,” he said. “I think even if they didn’t miss their serves, our defense and our outside game really just did a phenomenal job tonight.”

Rebekah Pieh went to the middle when Kruse moved outside and had three blocks, while Ashlyn Hall also had two blocks in the middle.

Hayden Vidal also got two blocks after seeing more time due to Gracelyn Altobelli having a sore knee.

Dornellas said Jaelynn Kennon did well blocking, while both Baker and Blackstock had a lot of good swings. She also gave credit to setter Alysha Nyvall for running everywhere to get balls up to the hitters.

“I’m looking forward to this being a good starting point to just move up from here,” Dornellas said.

Both squads now move to key conference matchups. Soldotna plays at Palmer on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. and at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The Mariners host Nikiski at 6:30 p.m. Friday.