Wrangell's varsity volleyball team huddles up before a match at J.I.V.E. in Juneau, held October 13 and 14. Drawing teams from around Southeast Alaska, the annual tournament has been a reliable opportunity to practice bracket competition early in the season.
Wrangell High School's volleyball team is poised to be in contention with the region's leaders, following a busy game schedule two weekends ago.
Leaving on the ferry October 12, the Lady Wolves took part in the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza over the following two days. The tournament gave the team an early opportunity to play against an array of schools in quick succession.
First up were the girls at Thunder Mountain High School, who won 25 to Wrangell's 13. The Lady Wolves followed up against Petersburg, losing 21-25 in a tight match.
The team beat
Ketchikan soundly, 25-13, and had a pair of wins against Metlakatla and Craig with both scores at 25-11. Juneau-Douglas was a tougher competitor, winning 25 to Wrangell's 11 points. Games against Sitka and Mount Edgecumbe also ended in losses, 22-25 and 14-25 respectively.
In best-of-three bracket play the following day, Wrangell bested Metlakatla in two games, finishing the first 25-6 and the second 25-18. It likewise beat Klawock's team, first in a tightly-contested match 26-24, then again 25-18.
"We were really busy," said Wrangell coach Jessica Whitaker. Since its first showing on Prince of Wales Island, the team has been focusing on better court awareness. The girls have taken a more aggressive presence on court as a result, and have increased their serving percentages and kill count.
At JIVE, several Lady Wolves were recognized for their achievements, with Helen Decker elected to the All-Tournament team by the officials. Kayla Hay, Kiara Meissner and Krissy Lockabey each made the All-Academic team as well.
A busy tournament was followed by further travel as the girls headed north to Haines for their first seeding tournament.
"The girls were able to play really well," Whitaker commented.
In best-of-five play, Wrangell won in three matches against Klawock, scoring 25-12, 25-22 and 25-19. Against the hometown hosts Wrangell beat Haines in all three matches, 25-6, 25-7 and 25-17. Skagway's game also ended in a trio of Wrangell wins, 25-17, 25-11 and 25-15, as did that against Metlakatla, winning 25-13, 25-7 and 25-16.
Wrangell ended up getting seeded behind Craig and Petersburg, after losing to both teams. Craig was up by two matches (winning 25-16 and 25-14) before Wrangell was able to pull up a 25-16 win of its own, but Craig's girls were able to take one more in a close 25-20 exchange. The game against Petersburg was over in three, but with two very close matches ending 23-25. The Lady Vikings won one more at 25-12.
Whitaker noted players Hay and Kaylyn Easterly had both played important roles in the team's performance, with Hay leading the team in kills. After another bye-week this weekend, the team will be heading next to Metlakatla on November 3 for a two-day tournament.
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