The volleyball team competed in their first tournament since 2019 last weekend in Juneau.
“This was the first tournament we’ve had since COVID shut down activities,” said junior Avari Getchell. “It was great to see other teams and play teams we haven’t been able to play for two years. It was also great to bond with all the players I haven’t spent much time with in the past. (Juneau) was a great transition into becoming a better team.”
The games were not limited to teams in the same division. Haines played against Mount Edgecumbe, whose larger enrollment puts the school in a different division.
The girls were defeated in three back-to-back games. Senior Natalie Jobbins said the Bears had little time to warm up. When the girls weren’t playing, they helped line-judge and keep score.
“We supported each other,” said Jobbins. “We kept each other up and happy. We didn’t drag each other down, because that’s what can kill a team.”
Haines lost its last game of the tournament to Metlakatla by two points. The Bears were beating Metlakatla up until the last few points. Jobbins said the girls were playing with lots of intensity. Coach Hailey Sanders then rotated in a front-row player for the Libero, a back row defensive specialist. The scorekeepers argued that this was an illegal move.
“They argued for like five minutes,” said Jobbins. “We just stood on the court and lost all our momentum. Most of us believe that’s why we lost the game.”
The scorekeepers finally allowed the rotation, and the girls continued the game. One of Metlakatla’s strongest players served and Haines couldn’t defend. They fell behind to lose by two.
The team will face the Miss Chiefs again this weekend in Metlakatla. Jobbins said she is confident that if the team works on blocking, they will be able to beat their opponents. She said Metlakatla scored most of their points because the front line was vulnerable.