It was a clear sweep to victory for the Nikolaevsk Warriors mixed six volleyball team at conference competition in Kodiak last weekend.
After arriving in Kodiak by ferry, the team took on Anderson, the no. 4 seed, and secured a 3-0 win Friday afternoon.
Saturday, the Warriors were back on the court, working their way past Seldovia, the no. 3 seed, and Kodiak EES, no. 2. The Kodiak team includes athletes from Akhiok, Karluk, Old Harbor, Port Lions, Larsen Bay and Ouzinkie.
“Kodiak had beat Seldovia 3-0 on Friday, so we played Kodiak and won a very tight match, 3-1,” said Head Coach Bea Klaich. “Every set was only a two to three point win.”
In the double-elimination tournament, Kodiak and Seldovia faced each other in the losers bracket, with Seldovia securing a 3-1 victory. That put Seldovia and Nikolaevsk in the final showdown for the conference championship. The Warriors claimed a 3-0 win and a berth at State.
The team had one more hurdle to go: making it to the ferry in time for the voyage back to the Kenai Peninsula.
“The ferry was scheduled to leave Kodiak at 9:45 p.m., but because of an incoming storm, we had to get to the ferry early and leave at 4 p.m.,” said Klaich. “ The ride back to Homer was rough, but we were glad to beat the storm and get home safely. There is never a dull moment traveling with teams around Alaska.”
Since joining the mixed six action — played with a team of three boys and three girls and with a net seven inches higher than in all-girls volleyball — in 2009, Nikolaevsk has been the runner-up conference champion every year except for 2009. Then last year, they battled their way to a ticket for State, where they placed fourth.
“The kids are having lots of fun and we are excited to go to State for the second time in a row,” said Klaich.
The State meet is at Dimond High School in Anchorage. Games today will seed the tournament. Nikolaevsk’s opening match is at 3:50 p.m. against Tanalian of the Southwest Conference.
Mixed Six Conference Tournament
Kodiak — Dec. 5-6
Conference Champions: Nikolaevsk Warriors
Runner Up: Seldovia Sea Otters
Sportsmanship: Nikolaevsk Warriors
All Tournament Team: Jonah Fefelov, Nikolaevsk; Aidan Philpot, Seldovia; Greg Trail, Nikolaevsk; Rainy Bircher, Kodiak ESS; Kilina Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Olivia Turner, Seldovia; Cody Robustellini, Kodiak ESS; David Reft,
Kodiak EES.
MVP: David Reft, Kodiak ESS
All Academic Team: Sage Stanish, Seldovia; Vera Fefelov, Nikolaevsk; Olivia Turner, Seldovia; Kelton Warner, Anderson; Carson Warner, Anderson; Kilina Klaich, Nikolaevsk; Cody Robustellini, Kodiak ESS; Gunnar Nelson, Kodiak ESS; Lisa Neumann, Seldovia; Aidan Philpot, Seldovia.
