The Homer Mariners volleyball team was once again successful in a Southcentral Conference matchup against Seward High School, winning three games to zero this past weekend at Homer High School.
The Lady Mariners beat the Seahawks in a home game Friday evening in the Alice Witte Gymnasium, with sets of 25-6, 25-12 and 25-15. While failing to secure a set against the Mariners, the Seahawks got stronger each game, starting out ahead in the second set and tying the score early on in both the second and third sets.
Senior Katlyn Vogl led the Mariners in scoring with 10 kills and four aces. Tonda Smude had four kills, one ace and one dig; Laura Inama contributed three kills, three aces and three digs; Amber Hull had two kills and one dig, Gracie Gummer had two kills, Melanie Morris had one kill and one dig, Sela Weisser had one kill, one assist, two digs and three aces; Hannah Hatfield had nine assists, four digs and one ace; and Brooke Shafer had 13 assists and five aces.
The Mariners have only played against Seward up to this point in the season, because sport programs in central peninsula were shut down when the region went into a high-risk category for community spread of COVID-19 on Aug. 18. With volleyball at Nikiski, Kenai and Soldotna recently started up again, the Mariners will get to start playing other peninsula teams.
Despite the slow start to the season, head coach Stephanie Carroll said the players are looking good.
“We’re feeling really good about how they’re playing so far,” she said.
Coaches had to make some adjustments to compensate for the loss of several strong seniors from last season, but only one player on the varsity team is new to the program. The team has two setters this season.
“They’re excited to get to play teams,” Carroll said. “They’re looking really good — really excited about the season and getting to compete.
The Mariners will next play the Nikiski Bulldogs in an away game on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.
Homer’s Katlyn Vogl spikes the ball during a Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 volleyball game against Seward High School in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Seward’s Hannah Schilling sets the ball to teammate Gaia Casagranda (No. 3) during a Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 volleyball game against Homer High School in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Homer’s Laura Inama jumps to spike the ball in a volleyball game against Seward High School on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
