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Crimson Bears spike Lady Kings at Ketchikan
JDHS has won 16 of 17 sets against Kayhi heading into volleyball regions
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
With the regular season complete, the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball team has defeated the Ketchikan Lady Kings in 16 of the 17 sets they’ve played against each other heading into this week’s Region V Championships in Juneau.
“I am very excited for us to host regions this weekend,” JDHS senior June Troxel said. “Our team has learned so much and developed such a strong team bond. Heading into our games this weekend we know the importance of starting off the game strong and playing to our level, finding our strengths early in the game to help us later on.”
Last Thursday in Ketchikan the Crimson Bears won 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-23) and on Friday JDHS dropped that lone game to the Kings, but won 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-11).
The Crimson Bears may have the Lady Kings’ number, but in sports, that is why you play the game. And the biggest games of the season are Thursday and Friday with the Crimson Bears hosting the Lady Kings in the region championships at the George Houston Gymnasium.
“We have been talking about that same subject all last week and starting practice today,” JDHS coach Arnold Ibias said. “About not taking them lightly. You always want to win, but sometimes a loss helps you refocus. I have shared with them the story of the Ketchikan JVs coming in when I was coaching them (Kayhi) and beating Juneau-Douglas and I think it was because they took us too lightly.”
JDHS has an 18-16-1 match record this season, a 14-3-1 mark at home. Ketchikan is 1-17 in matches this season.
“Sometimes the underdog might have a slight advantage because they have nothing to lose,” Ibias said. “They just come in and play and that is what you have to watch out for. We have been talking about getting a lead and keeping it and not letting them hang around scorewise.”
JDHS played with a purpose last weekend.
“What stood out was that the girls were playing confidently especially after coming back from the Anchorage trip,” Ibias said. “Even in the set that we lost, they felt confident that they could win the next two sets. They realized at the right time what it feels like to win. Hopefully we will carry that on to state.”
In Thursday’s three-game sweep, Troxel had 14 points scored on serve (2 aces), senior Faith Contreras nine (2A), seniors Liliane Veikoso and Brie Powers six apiece, junior Nellie Stowers five and seniors Haley Gilbert (1A) and Clairee Overson three apiece. Gilbert had six kills, Troxel five, Veikoso four, junior Ruby Koski three, sophomore Winter Osterhout two and senior Leila Cooper, Stowers and senior Analia Perry one each.
“Our servers are placing the ball in difficult areas to pass and the receiving team is not in system,” Ibias said. “It is something that we work on every practice.”
In Friday’s 3-1 win, Powers had 15 points scored on serve, Stowers 11, Gilbert seven (2A), Troxel six (1A), Veikoso five (3A), Cooper four (2A) and Contreras one. Veikoso and Koski had 10 kills apiece, Perry and Gilbert four apiece, Stowers three and Troxel and Cooper one apiece.
In the two-match totals, Veikoso led with 27 hits in play, followed by Troxel with 23, Koski 22, Stowers 20, Gilbert 17 and Perry nine. Veikoso had 51 kill attempts, Koski 40, Troxel 37, Gilbert 33, Stowers 27, and Perry 15. Powers had 27 assists and Veikoso 25. Osterhout had 11 digs, Troxel seven, Powers and Stowers five apiece and Veikoso four.
The Region V Championships will also feature the 3A title clash between Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe. The Wolves and Braves will play at 5:15 p.m. Thursday and Friday, followed by the Crimson Bears and Lady Kings at 7 p.m.
“It will be exciting to have 3A and 4A in the same gym,” Ibias said. “I hope people come out and watch some good volleyball.”
Sitka has defeated Mt. Edgecumbe this season by scores of 3-2 (22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14), 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 26-28, 15-13) and 3-1 (18-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-14). MEHS has defeated Sitka 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-19).
Sitka has won 13 matches overall this season and lost 13, MEHS has won five matches and lost 15.
They both have had strong outings against JDHS. The Crimson Bears have defeated Sitka 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-17), lost 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 14-25, 25-21, 12-15), lost 3-1 (24-26, 26-24, 24-26, 17-25), won 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 15-10), and won 2-0 (25-12, 25-21). The Crimson Bears defeated MEHS 3-2 (24-26, 22-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12) and lost 3-2 (26-24, 18-25, 25-20, 17-25, 6-15).
The region championship is earned in the best-of-three matches. Matches are the best three-out-of-five games. If no team wins their first two matches, and an if-necessary match will be played at 3 p.m. Saturday (3A) or 5:15 p.m. (4A). If both 3A and 4A are decided in two matches, the winners will play a crossover game at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, with a 3 p.m. rookie game as a filler.
“Something that we pride ourselves on is that we use adults line judges,” Ibias said. “Our usual volunteers are going to be out of town. So we are looking for two people per match. I don’t want to sound like I am begging, but we are.”
Adults looking to volunteer at the Region V Championships can contact Ibias at aribias@gmail.com or JDHS athletic director Julie Herman at julie.herman@juneauschools.org.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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