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JDHS volleyball team earns win at Sitka
- Klas Stolpe
- 19 hours ago
- 5 min read
Crimson Bears rebound from Friday loss in five-set thriller on Saturday
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Bri Powers quick tipped a fake set over the net to score a 15-7 fifth-game winner at the Sitka Wolves' den on Saturday and the Crimson Bears earned a 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 15-7) match win.
“In today's game we played with a high intensity and fought through each set,” Powers said. “We continued to adjust to what the other team's plays were and played a well-rounded, scrappy game.”
The Crimson Bears opened the final set given a point on a Sitka mishit but Sitka Junior Kailee Brady killed to get the point back.
JDHS senior Liliane Veikoso punched a shot for possession and senior June Troxel served for a 3-1 lead with a Powers kill shot. Six change of possessions ended with Powers tipping for a 6-4 lead and senior Leila Cooper serving for a 7-4 lead and forcing a Sitka timeout. During the Crimson Bears' run, sophomore Bela Pyare had two kills, Powers two scores and Veikoso one, and junior Ruby Koski a block.
“It was a hard game, but I think we fought as hard as we could,” Koski said. “Seeing everyone push when we were down was very encouraging and definitely lifted the team up.”
JDHS senior Haley Gilbert, Powers and senior June Troxel held the next three service possessions and pushed the Crimson Bears out to a 13-8 lead. The possessions included two kills by Veikoso, two blocks by senior Analia Perry and a Troxel tip.
Sitka freshman Averie Haavig killed to trail 13-9, but a service error gave JDHS match point. A Crimson Bears’ service error gave Sitka service at 14-10, but Powers tipped the match winner to end the evening.
JDHS had fallen in the opening game 25-17. Key Crimson Bears points included scoring tips by Gilbert and Perry, an ace from Cooper and a dig apiece from Pyare and sophomore Winter Osterhout.
“I thought we all went and put in the work to not let balls drop,” Osterhout said. “And we were just very smart in where we were hitting or tipping. We played the whole game with a good energy and we kept pushing even if we were tired.”
The Crimson Bears won game two 25-22 behind kills from Veikoso, senior Cassie Chenoweth, Osterhout and Powers, and a block from Perry.
“Today’s game was a little scrappy, but honestly, that’s what we needed,” Perry said. “It was unpredictable, exhausting, and so much fun from start to finish. Everyone worked hard, gave it their all, and kept pushing throughout the game. Everyone stepped up, pushed themselves, and played hard until the end.”
JDHS claimed game three 27-25, despite two game delays as officials sorted out rotation issues. JDHS held an 11-7 lead and inched out to a 13-8 advantage and 15-11 before Sitka pulled to 15-14 on serves from Wolves’ Senior Bristol Clifton that forced a variety of JDHS mishits.
Sitka led 20-17, including a kill by freshman Eva Miller and two service aces from sophomore Addie Marx. The Wolves pushed out to a 22-18 lead before a service error gave JDHS possession and Gilbert served to a 23-23 tie. The run included a kill by Troxel, an ace by Gilbert, and kills by Veikoso and Powers.
A mishit gave Sitka a 24-23 advantage, but JDHS’ Veikoso tipped a ball to tie the game at 24-24. An exchange of mishits made the tally 25-25 and Cooper dinked a shot over for a JDHS service possession and a 26-25 lead. Troxel served a hard shot that forced a weak return at the net and Veikoso and Perry double-blocked the ball for the 27-25 game winner.
Game four went down to the wire before Sitka earned the 25-22 win. JDHS scoring shots game from Veikoso, Osterhout, Pyare, Troxel, senior Macy Summers and senior Clairee Overson.
“We all knew today we had to step up if we wanted to beat Sitka,” Overson said. “And we did. Instead of letting the pressure get to us or playing it safe, we used it. We turned that pressure into motivation and played with it and won the game.”
The Crimson Bears' service rotation included Troxel, Veikoso, Pyare, Chenoweth and Gilbert. Sitka scores came from sophomore Lily Scrantz, Marx, Haavig, Miller and Brady. The Wolves' service rotations included senior Joey Agulana, Brady, Clifton, Scrantz, Marx and sophomore Maleah Partido.
“Today's game was so much fun to watch,” JDHS junior Nellie Stowers said. “After last night's loss, everyone had it in their heads that we had to win. No matter what, everyone pushed through and gave it their all. Whether that was hitting, passing, or even just simply serving. No one was in it for themselves, but for the team around them.”
JDHS fell in a tight match on Friday, with Sitka earning a 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 26-24, 25-17) Southeast Conference thriller.
“It is fun to coach against Sitka,” JDHS coach Arnold Ibias said. “They are a young team, but they are very hungry. We've already played them four times and each match has been a challenge. These first four matches have helped us grow. The tests Sitka put us through is helping learn what we are need to do to get better.”
The Division I Southeast Conference Crimson Bears are 2-2 on the season with nine games won and eight lost. All contests have been against Sitka. The DII SEC Wolves are 2-2, with eight games won, nine lost.
“Today was a tough but exciting day, a very deserving win for how hard everyone worked,” JDHS senior Faith Contreras said. “There were times we were down, but we got back up there, working together, talking, and keeping that energy of a winning team.”
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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