The Haines High School volleyball team tallied a 2-2 record at the season-concluding regional competition in Klawock last weekend.
Craig and Klawock advanced to the state tournament as Southeast’s Class 2A representatives.
Coach Liana Shull said the tournament showed the Glacier Bears their own potential if they put in enough work during the offseason over a number of years. Haines students are starting the sport at a younger age, and Shull is encouraging athletes “to do summer camps and play whenever they can.”
“We have a couple teams in our conference that have big athletes and lots of experience, so I think the girls got to see what’s realistic to expect from themselves in the years to come,” she said.
The Glacier Bears made some noise early, topping Metlakatla in three games, 25-17, 25-17, 25-14. The victory avenged an October loss on Metlakatla’s home court.
“This match, Coral Bauer was on fire, serving up 18 points – averaging three aces per game – and a total of 10 kills,” said coach Judy Erekson. “Jamie Messerschmidt also served up 12 points.”
Haines then had the tough task of facing top seed and eventual Southeast champion Craig. The Glacier Bears fell in three games, 15-25, 14-25, 14-25.
Bauer and junior Celia Bower led Haines in kills, and Erekson said senior Libby Jacobson’s “quickness at the net and great setting were also a factor in making Craig work for their points.”
Next, the Glacier Bears swept Skagway, 25-13, 25-16, 25-11. Erekson credited seniors Bauer, Messerschmidt and Adalee Lari for their strong serving in the match, as well as junior Megan Tuohy for strong passing.
Haines aimed to extend its season against Wrangell, but as had been the case a few times this season, the Wolves took a narrow victory, 16-25, 19-25, 27-25, 12-25. The loss eliminated the Glacier Bears from the tournament.
“The girls really wanted this win to be able to take on Klawock for a chance to go to state, but the Wolves came ready to play and won the match,” Erekson said.
Messerschmidt pounded five aces in her final match as a Glacier Bear.
The overall event also showcased some rising talent for Haines, with Erekson citing the play of freshmen Bozhi Sebens, Jordan Stigen and Olivia Wing and sophomore Bailey Stuart.
Seniors Bauer, Jacobson and junior Bower were named to the 12-member all-tournament team, “voted on by all coaches and reflecting the 2013 season.”
Bauer, Jacobson and Messerschmidt earned all-academic recognition; Bower and Lari were “Good Sport” honorees, and the Glacier Bears won the team sportsmanship award, as determined by tournament officials.
“The team felt really good about the team dynamics and about each other and how they supported each other throughout the season,” Shull said. “Each of them had a lot of growth in terms of skill and even attitude, so I think we felt really cohesive as a team and satisfied with everything – except for not being able to go to state – and having to say goodbye to the seniors, that’s always hard.”