A tale of two teams unfolded as the Haines High School girls’ volleyball team squared off in “friendly” matches against its Lynn Canal neighbor, Skagway, last weekend.

On Friday night, a fresh and excited team Glacier Bear defeated the Panthers in a five-game match that was close throughout.

Coach Keri Ewing said “Friday night, we had some great games. We won the first, lost the second, and then won the third. After that, the fourth and fifth were just back and forth.”

Skagway won the fourth game, 26-24, forcing a tie-breaking fifth game. Haines won the final, 15-11, in a contest of will and endurance. (The fifth game of a five-game match ends at 15 points.)

Senior Jordan Stigen said, “We had some good energy in the first game and when we’re playing in sync, when we’re all together as a team, we’re really good.”

On Saturday, the teams played two matches, including dividing Haines into junior varsity and varsity squads.

Coach Ewing said “It was great because it gave some of our girls who didn’t play much the night before a chance to really get into the rotation and gain some experience.”

Haines lost both matches, struggling at times with emotions and teamwork.

Junior Sarah Long was encouraged by how the team reacted to adversity. “We had some challenges but we worked well and bounced back as a team even after some people got down on themselves. I think overall it will be a positive for the team moving forward.”

Stigen agreed. “It was good because now we know what we need to work on: talking, communicating, working as a team.”

The next match for the volleyball team is this weekend at the Juneau JIVE Tournament.

“We’re excited to get back out there and play some good volleyball,” coach Ewing said.

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