The Haines volleyball team made its season debut last weekend with sweeps on Wrangell’s home court.
The varsity Glacier Bears went undefeated in two matches: 25-14, 25-20, 25-19 on Friday, Sept. 2; and 25-22, 25-22, 25-16 on Saturday.
“The team was excited to put it all together against Wrangell and that’s exactly what they did with hard serves, accurate passing, beautiful setting and hard hitting,” said coach Judy Erekson. “At one point when a server was getting the best of them, they kept their composure and came right back to take the game.”
Haines this week will host Sitka in its home opener Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9-10. The girls will look to avenge last November’s season-ending, five-game loss to Sitka at regionals in Ketchikan.
The varsity lineup in Wrangell included seniors Brook Cinocco, Anna Jacobson, Teolani Lynch, Amey and Ashley Messerschmidt and Elizabeth Stevens, juniors Riley Erekson and Alisha Young, and sophomore Libby Jacobson.
“(Assistant coach) Liana Shull has done a great job preparing the varsity girls both mentally and physically, challenging them to push themselves, stay focused and communicate more on the court,” coach Erekson said.
The Haines junior varsity also won all of its games in Wrangell: 25-11, 25-23 on Friday and 25-19, 25-19 on Saturday.
Freshmen Megan Tuohy and Caroline Ward, sophomores Coral Bauer, Libby Jacobson, Adalee Lari and Jamie Messerschmidt, and juniors Deni Hoy and Samantha Lowe competed for the Glacier Bears.
“The junior varsity played well, keeping their serves in, with improved passing and all-around hustle,” Erekson said. “This week they will be working hard on their passing and serving skills and becoming familiar with the rotations before their first home match against Sitka.”
Upcoming weekend matches for the squad include at Mount Edgecumbe, at home against Petersburg, at Metlakatla and at the Juneau Jive Tournament.
Both the volleyball and cross-country teams were in Wrangell for events that weekend.
“It was a treat to have a cheering section for the volleyball games, and the girls were there to cheer at the finish line of the cross-country race on Saturday,” Erekson said.