The Homer volleyball team gave the Soldotna Stars a run for their money during Tuesday evening nonconference action, but ultimately couldn’t keep up.

The Stars defeated the Mariners 3-1, with set scores of 26-24, 23-25, 25-21 and 25-18. Homer is 3-1 in the Southcentral Conference, while Soldotna is 5-1 in the Northern Lights Conference.

Homer head coach Stephanie Carroll said her team played well against such strong adversaries.

“We played really well,” she said. “We had some errors but I really was pleased with how they played. We had some great digs.”

Carroll praised the Mariners’ work especially when it came to fending off the offensive attack from Soldotna hitter Ituau Tuisaula.

“Ituau is an amazing hitter,” she said. “So if we can even get up a couple of her balls, I feel like we’re doing well. We got some blocks on her (as well).”

Carroll said she would have preferred Homer won at least one more set Tuesday night.

“But,” she said. “At least we pushed it to four.”

For Homer, Marina Carroll led the attack with six kills, 11 digs, a block and three aces. Kelli Bishop and Tonda Smude had four kills each, while Bishop helped out with 15 digs, three blocks, 12 assists and three aces. Smude had four digs and three blocks. Laura Inama contributed three kills, two aces and six digs, while Karmyn Gallios had three kills, an ace, eight assists and a block, and Kitri Classen had two kills and 11 digs. Sela Weisser had nine digs and an ace.

The Mariners will travel to next play Seward High School in an away game Thursday. Both teams will play at the Grizzly Invite on Friday and Saturday in Anchorage.

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.

Sela Weisser digs the ball during a Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 volleyball game between Homer High School and Soldotna High School in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Soldotna’s Ituau Tuisaula jumps to hit the ball during a Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 volleyball game at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer’s Laura Inama dives for a ball that was blocked by Soldotna’s Serena Foglia and Sierra Kuntz during a Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 volleyball game at the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)