Crimson Bears spikers nip Lady Braves

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Trailing two games to none at home, JDHS closes out match with three wins

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Haley Gilbert (7) tips a score over Mt. Edgecumbe senior Charity Mila (15) — from Barrow — and junior Kasia Barnes (6) — from Koliganek — on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in the George Houston Gymnasium. JDHS won the match 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

Trailing two games to none, and with senior Liliane Veikoso leaving injured in game two, the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears were on their heels against the visiting Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves on Friday inside the George Houston Gymnasium.

But those two losses had been cliffhangers and JDHS would rally for the 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12) match win.

In game one, JDHS led 9-2 early behind service from senior Brie Powers and June Troxel, which included a kill by Veikoso.

JDHS held a 14-8 advantage with Veikoso, junior Ruby Koski, senior Clairee Overson and senior Haley Gilbert on service rotations before MEHS closed to within 17-16 behind senior Gracelynn Friske (from Sitka) at service with two aces and a block by senior Marlee Chris (Big Lake).

The two sides exchanged multiple single-point scores to a 22-22 tie. Troxel gave JDHS a 23-22 lead, but two Crimson Bears mishits put MEHS on top 24-23. A Lady Braves mishit allowed JDHS to tie the game, but Friske killed for service and senior Charity Mila (Barrow) tipped game point for the 26-24 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Analia Perry (10) spikes a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe junior Kasia Barnes (6) — from Koliganek — on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in the George Houston Gymnasium. JDHS won the match 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

In game two, MEHS held the early lead, working to a 9-4 advantage behind service from Chris, Mila, sophomore Zoya Tuzroyluk (Point Hope) and Friske.

After two service exchanges, JDSH’ Gilbert killed for possession, but Veikoso went down with an ankle injury. Gilbert served to a 12-11 lead behind an ace, a kill by sophomore Bela Pyare and a tip by Powers. The two sides would tie the score four times, including a service ace by senior Leila Cooper that knotted the game at 19-19.

MEHS took a 21-19 lead behind service from Kiauna O’Brien (Bethel) that included a scoring block from senior Zereah Henry (Point Lay), but JDHS took possession on a tip by Gilbert and Overson served to a 22-21 lead that included a block by Powers. A JDHS mishit tied the score at 22, but Gilbert killed for a 23-22 lead and served for a 24-22 advantage.

A JDHS mishit earned service for MEHS’ Chris who served to 25-24, including a block by junior Kasia Barnes (Koliganek).

JDSH tied the game at 25-25 with a Troxel tip shot, but MEHS’ Friske killed for possession and Mila aced a serve for the 27-25 win.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé fans celebrate a Crimson Bears score over the Mt. Edgecumbe Lady Braves on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in the George Houston Gymnasium. JDHS won the match 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Neither side would hold more than a four-point lead in game three and exchanged service 17 times until Gilbert killed for a 19-16 JDHS lead. Cooper served to a 22-16 lead, including an ace and a tip by Gilbert.

An exchange of scores led to MEHS’ Henry killing to pull to within 23-18 and Mila killing for 23-19.

JDHS scored game point on a Lady Braves mishit and the Crimson Bears’ Troxel killed for the 25-19 win. Gilbert earned seven scoring shots in the game.

Game four opened with 16 service exchanges but just three ties with JDHS up 13-11.

MEHS’ Friske took service on a JDHS mishit and pushed the Lady Braves to a 15-13 lead, including a tip by Henry and two JDHS mishits.

Gilbert tipped a score for possession and Cooper served to a 21-15 lead that included two scoring tips by Gilbert, kills by Koski and sophomore Winter Osterhout and an ace.

MEHS got two points back, including a kill by Mila, but Gilbert answered with a kill and senior Faith Contreras served an ace for a 23-17 lead.

After point exchanges MEHS trailed 24-19 but had service and Chris put two aces over and forced a mishit to trail 24-22. A Lady Braves mishit gave JDHS the game 25-22 and tied the match at 2-2. Gilbert recorded six scoring shots in the game.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Mt. Edgecumbe sophomore Kiauna O'Brien (5) — from Bethel — sets a ball against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in the George Houston Gymnasium. JDHS won the match 3-2 (24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12). (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

MEHS opened game five with a kill by Barnes and a touch serve by Mila, but a service error gave JDHS possession and Troxel seved to a 5-2 lead, including an ace and a kill, and a kill by senior Analia Perry.

The two sides exchanged seven service possessions with JDHS leading 10-6. MEHS pulled to 10-8, but a service error gave JDHS possession and an 11-8 lead. Gilbert served for a 12-8 advantage.

MEHS’ Mila killed to trail 12-9. An exchange of errors gave the Lady Braves service trailing 13-10 and Mila put two aces across to close to 13-12.

A mishit gave JDHS match point and another gave the Crimson Bears the match 15-12.

The two sides play again Saturday. The JDHS Crimson and C teams scrimmage at 2:45 p.m., the JDHS JV plays MEHS JV at 3:45 p.m. and the JDHS and MEHS varsity teams play at 5:15 p.m.