Crimson Bears spike Kings, sweep weekend home matches

Klas Stolpe
3 minutes ago
4 min read

JDHS tops visiting Ketchikan in six straight sets over two days

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Haley Gilbert tips a ball over Ketchikan freshman Hailee Simons during the Crimson Bears' 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-23) win Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. JDHS won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears improved to 4-2 overall in Southeast Conference competition and are 2-0 in the SEC 4A division after sweeping visiting Ketchikan in the George Houston Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday.

“We played well,” JDHS coach Arnold Ibias said. “Ketchikan is young and their libero, Winter (Loretan), kept them in the match.”

JDHS won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday and Saturday 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-23).

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Ruby Koski (9) kills a shot against Ketchikan seniors Addy Secrest (8) and Alexis Kolean (10) during the Crimson Bears' 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-23) win Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. JDHS won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

“I like where we are at every match,” coach Ibias said. “We seem to get better about everybody being on the same page and believing in what we want to do for the season. What I want us to work on is cleaning up our game so that we are not giving the other team easy points. Having a side out happen is not all bad as long as we refocus and get the side out. We set goals and I think they all agree that we can get to that goal. And their understanding that we cannot do it without playing like one unit.”

The Crimson Bears showed the balance they possess this season with above-average serve percentages. On Friday, seniors Bri Powers and Liliane Veikoso had 13 points apiece scored on their serves, classmate Leila Cooper 10, classmates June Troxel and Haley Gilbert four apiece, and classmate Faith Contreras one. Veikoso had five aces, Troxel three, Powers and Cooper two apiece.

“Being a new member to varsity has been an amazing experience,” JDHS senior Faith Contreras said. “It has given me opportunities to play a new position, strengthening my skills and being able to get one-on-one coaching. The returning Varsity has been very welcoming to all of us newcomers. Giving us helpful tips and encouraging us along the way. We can expect lots of energy from everyone on the court, fighting for a win every game, and having fun with each other. I think we will also grow even more as a team, creating a strong bond between all of us girls.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior June Troxel (1) hits a shot against Ketchikan senior Alexis Kolean (10) during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-23) win Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. JDHS won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Sophomore Winter Osterhout had 18 pass attempts and Troxel 12, junior Ruby Koski seven, and Contreras five.

Powers had 21 assists. Troxel had 16 kill attempts, Gilbert 15, Koski 14, Veikoso 11, senior Analia Perry five, Osterhout, Cooper and sophomore Bela Pyare two each, and Powers one. Troxel led with 10 hits in play.

“This year every player brings very high energy and a positive attitude that greatly benefits our team atmosphere on and off the court,” Troxel said. “I am very excited to see how we come together and develop a stronger team bond that will benefit us in the future.”

On Saturday, Powers led with 18 points scored on service and five aces, Veikoso 14 points (3 aces), Cooper nine points (1 ace), Troxel (1 ace) and Gilbert (1 ace) four points apiece.

Osterhout had 10 pass attempts, Veikoso eight, Troxel six, Cooper five, senior Clairee Overson four, Perry three, Koski two and junior Nellie Stowers one. Powers led with 25 assists.

Veikoso had seven kills, Troxel and Gilbert six apiece, Perry five, Koski two, Powers and Cooper one apiece.

“The difference this year is who is on the court,” Veikoso said. “Leaving us with only six returning varsity players brings in opportunity and change, and what I have seen is big changes in leadership and bonding. We can expect to see really good things and see really determined girls fight for what they love to play.”

Veikoso and Troxel had 17 kill attempts apiece, Gilbert 11, Perry six, Koski five, Cooper four, Osterhout, Powers, Overson and Pyare one each.

“We have had to make adjustments because of injuries and I definitely want to give Liliane some major credit for stepping into a role that she is not used to,” Ibias said. “But she understands that we need her to play that role until our injured players have recovered.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Analia Perry tips a ball over Ketchikan senior Addy Secrest (8) during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 (25-15, 25-7, 25-23) win Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. JDHS won 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) on Friday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

On Friday the JDHS JV won 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-8) and the JDHS C-Team won 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-15).

Among JV stats, sophomore Serena Huang had 20 points scored on her service, junior Maddie Tingey 14 and freshman Kaneisi Talamai 10. Tingey led with five aces. Huang led with 11 assists and Talamai six. Junior Mya Hayes and Huang led with three digs apiece. Tingey led with 12 kill attempts and sophomore Bela Pyare 10.

On Saturday the JDHS JV won 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-18) and the JDHS C-Team won 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-21).

Among JV stats, senior Cassie Chenoweth led with 11 points scored on service, Tingey 10, Huang nine and freshman Sinira Tomanogi six. Pyare led with 15 kill attempts, Chenoweth 11 and Tomanogi 10. Huang led with nine assists and Talamai six.