The Homer Mariner volleyball teams are getting lots of on-court time lately. After a loss to the Nikiski Bulldogs on Sept. 23, the Mariners were back on top against the Seward Seahawks on Friday and then lost in nonconference play against the Soldotna Stars on Tuesday.  
“The team regrouped and came out strong. … For the most part, hitting errors were kept to a minimum and except for game one, serving errors were almost non-existent,” Mariner Head Coach Beth Trowbridge said about the Friday match against the Seahawks.
The Mariners beat Seward in three games, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-17. Maggie Larue provided tough service for the Mariners, said Trowbridge. She had seven aces and more than 20 of the total points scored by the Homer team. Larue also led with 16 digs and excellent serve receive passing.
Friday proved “an excellent offensive match” for Maryhana Bowe who contributed seven kills and no errors, said Trowbridge. Jane Rohr led the offense with 10 kills and a 29 percent kill efficiency. Sisters Malina and Larsen Fellows — Malina is a sophomore, Larsen is a senior — had five kills each. McKi Needham ended the evening with two kills, 19 assists and eight digs.
“Overall, I was happy with how the team regrouped against Seward and played much better as a team,” said Trowbridge.
“Communication was good and defense was strong. Players were ready to help each other out and turn hustle plays into points.”
The Mariners followed Friday’s success with a loss on Tuesday in a non-conference home match against SoHi with scores of 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 and 25-16.
Despite their loss, Mariner players had their highlights. Defensively, Larue blazed the way in digs with 30. Larsen Fellows and Needham followed with 17 digs each. Larsen Fellows also added three solo blocks. Rohr had 16 digs and Izabelle Hagge had six digs.
Offensively, Rohr led the team with five kills, followed by Larsen fellows’ four kills.
Bowe, Malina Fellows, who also had the team high of five service aces, and Kelly Liebers added two kills each. Bowe and Larsen Fellows added to the team score with four aces between them.
Homer’s junior varsity team had their own struggles in games against SoHi’s JVs, losing 25-15, 26-24, and 15-13.
Highlights included Kelly Liebers with five kills and two aces; Malina Fellows, who also plays varsity, with four kills; PK Woo with one kill and four aces; and Valerie Rios with three kills and two aces.
There are two days of more volleyball action this week, when the Mariners face the Cordova Wolverines in Homer.
The game schedule is:
Friday: C team, 4 p.m.; JV, 5 p.m.; varsity, 6:30 p.m.;
Saturday: C team, 10 a.m., JV, 11 a.m., varsity, 12:30 p.m.