Crimson Bears feast for two nights on Kings’ court
- Klas Stolpe
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
JDHS wins conference opener at region tournament site
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball team won their Southeast Conference opening road matches against rival Ketchikan, besting the Kings three sets to one on Friday and sweeping three sets on Saturday, both nights at the site of this year’s Region V tournament.
On Friday, JDHS won 25-19 and 30-28, fell 18-25, and closed out the match 26-24.
“Friday the girls were very hyped up to play all day and also nervous,” JDHS coach Jody Levernier said. “I think we crashed during the first set. We were so excited all day long and started playing and got tired fast. Also Ketchikan blocked well, and it got in the girls’ heads and threw them off their attack game. I am really proud of how they didn’t give up — the set that we won 30-28, we were behind the last 10 points and didn’t take the lead until we won. We played scrappy and worked really hard.”
Crimson Bears junior Liliane Veikoso scored on 20 serves Friday, including six aces, with just three service errors. She had 21 assists, 12 digs and two kills. Senior Brie Powers had 18 assists. Junior Leila Cooper scored on six serves and had one ace. Junior June Troxel scored on seven serves, had one ace and two kills, and a team-high 26 digs.
Senior Braith Dihle led with 12 kills and added 18 digs, and scored on four serves. Junior Lavinia Ma’ake had 11 kills and 40 kill attempts, kept 17 hits in play, and had 23 digs. Senior Cambry Lockhart scored on six serves (one ace) and had 12 digs. Senior Gwen Nizich led with three blocks and had eight kills. Senior Natalia Harris had six kills.
“Each game is important,” Nizich said. “But this series was especially significant for our team because it sets the tone for the rest of the season and gives us a foundation to build on.”
On Saturday, JDHS won 25-23, 25-14 and 25-16.
“Saturday we talked about controlling our energy and emotions,” Levernier said. “And to keep hitting, but work around the blocks. As well as a few other things to be fixed. The entire team did a great job of listening and adjusting to what we talked about. We still have work to do, but it’s always nice to win when out of town. It was really fun to watch the C and JV teams also win their matches, and that was exciting for everyone.”
Dihle led with 15 points scored on serve (two aces), Veikosa 14 (four aces), Lockhart five (three aces) and Troxel five, Cooper three and Ma’ake one. Ma’ake led with 12 kills, while Dihle had eight, Nizich seven, and sophomore Ruby Koski, Troxel and Harris two each. Veikosa led with 17 assists and Powers 11.
“Playing our first official games over the weekend has really shown the potential and talent our team holds,” Troxel said. “What I really loved was how enthusiastic and supportive my teammates were. It makes me so excited for the future and to see how our team improves over time.”
Key to Saturday was the JDHS defense. Troxel led with 12 digs, Ma’ake had nine, Veikosa eight, Dihle seven, Lockhart six, Nizich five, sophomore Nellie Stowers, Powers and Harris two each, and Cooper one. Nizich had three blocks, Dihle two and Ma’ake one.
“As far as players that stood out I think they all had really good moments throughout,” Levernier said. “They are all genuinely excited for each other when great plays are made. It’s hard to pick out a single standout player. It was really fun to watch them bounce back on Saturday.”
JDHS will host Mt. Edgecumbe on Friday and Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. Varsity plays at 4:15 p.m. both nights (JV 5:45, C 7:15). The JDHS JV won 25-15, 25-11 and 25-22 Saturday, the C team won 21-25, 25-20, 25-14 and 25-12. Friday JV/C scores were not available.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@gmail.com.
