The Mariners had a strong weekend of round-robin play at the Valdez invitational volleyball tournament. After losing only two in the first day of play, Homer landed at third place with three players — Larsen Fellows, McKi Needham and Maggie Larue — named to the all-tournament team.
“Overall I was very pleased with our performance this weekend. We were more aggressive on the floor, playing a better defensive game than we have in the past and that helped us keep more balls alive,” said Head Coach Beth Trowbridge by email Sunday night.
Despite losses to Grace Christian School, 25-23, and to Valdez, 25-21, Homer came out strong on Friday afternoon, according to Trowbridge.
“We played both teams close, starting out slow against Valdez with some inconsistent passing and digging, but then picked up the pace in the middle of the game but it was too late to recover,” said Trowbridge.
Teamwork and communication were successful when Homer faced the other teams on Friday. Homer won against Delta 25-20, Galena 25-15, Cordova 25-10, Bethel 25-17, Valdez JV 25-11 and North Pole 25-17.
Overall on Friday, Larsen Fellows ended the day with 23 kills and a 43 percent kill efficiency, making only two hitting errors, and six aces. At the end of Friday, Jane Rohr had 22 kills and a 16 percent kill efficiency and served three aces. Needham had 10 kills and Maryhana Bowe added another 10 kills with a 17 percent efficiency. Bowe also led the team with serving aces on Friday, serving up eight aces and maintaining an 89 percent serving percentage. Larue added seven aces and led the team in defensive digs with 14, followed by Larsen Fellows and Needham with nine each.
In their final set Saturday against Cordova, Trowbridge said aggressive serving helped to set the pace. Homer only had one error and served four aces. Needham led the team with two aces. Larsen Fellows led the offense with four kills, followed by Bowe and Malina Fellows with two kills apiece.
“Defense was strong and the game ended with an exciting awesome dig by Jenna Dragoo, set by Tisha Lovett and killed by Larsen Fellows,” said Trowbridge. “It was a great example of the strong teamwork we exhibited throughout the tournament and the good communication that allowed us to make out of system aggressive plays.”
The 10-person all-tournament team was selected from each division, with three Mariners — Larsen Fellows, Needham and Larue — selected. Three players from Valdez, and two each from Grace Christian and North Pole, also were selected.
In conference, Mariners played Nikiski on Tuesday and Friday travel to Seward.
The Mariners are at home on the Sept. 30 in play against Soldotna High and then in Cordova on Oct. 3-4.
