The Glacier Bear’s volleyball season came to an end last weekend at the Southeast Alaska Region V tournament in Craig.
The team placed fifth at the tournament, winning one match against Skagway but dropping their other two matches against Klawock and Wrangell. The team’s regional performance brought its final record for the season to 5-14.
In its first match, the team fell in three games against Klawock, but they came back strong in their second match against Skagway.
Coach Keri Ewing said, “We lost our first set against Skagway, but then we won the next three straight. I was really impressed by the girls’ perseverance after the hard loss against Klawock where we didn’t play very well. I was very proud and happy for them because of the way they bounced back.”
The team’s final match resulted in a three-games-to-zero defeat against Wrangell.
Coach Cassie Miller said that despite the loss, “Our girls played the best I’ve seen them play in a long time in that game against Wrangell.” But, as Ewing added, “(Wrangell) is just a tough team.”
Ewing also noted, “It’s not related to volleyball, but one highlight of the trip was that Madeline Andriesen sang the national anthem before the championship game and it was mesmerizing. That was really cool to see.”
Reflecting on the outcome of the season and the bittersweet reality of having played their final games for Haines, seniors Jordan Stigen and Bozhi Sebens said, “It was a lot of fun. We had a really good group of girls and it was awesome having (coaches) Keri and Alixanne step up while (coach) Cassie was out. They really made the season come together. ”
Stigen added, “I think it was a shock at first and it is only now sinking in that there is no more volleyball after this. It’s sad. I’m gonna miss it.”
A group of girls also gathered around and unofficially gave sophomore Marissa Haddock the team’s most improved player of the year award. That bodes well for next year’s team, which is largely composed of underclassmen.
According to coach Miller, the offseason includes plans for fundraising so the team can attend volleyball camps this summer in hopes of bettering its performance next season. The team will sell baked goods at the upcoming Christmas bazaar on Dec. 17 to help with those plans.