Mariners top Seward, ACS in volleyball play

In two days of back-to-back play, the Homer High Mariners varsity volleyball team won three matches against Seward on Friday. On Saturday, they were back on the court, taking Anchorage Christian School in three out of four sets.

Scores in the Friday games were 25-16, 25-14 and 25-13, Homer’s favor.

“Jane Rohr had 12 kills and a 38 percent kill efficiency, meaning she had very few errors,” said Head Coach Beth Trowbridge. “Kyla Pitzman was next in kills with seven.”

Maryhana Bowe also gave a solid performance with serving and at the net, leading the team with four service aces and a 92 percent serving, contributing three kills and a solo block. Maggie Larue also proved solid in defense and serving, with two service aces and 100 percent serving and the team high of 13 digs.

In Saturday’s four games against ACS, Homer took the first two, 25-17 and 25-18. It was a narrow reverse in the third game, with ACS taking a 25-22 win, but Homer came back in the final game with a 25-17 victory.

Rohr had 11 kills and only two errors for the match. Pitzman was overall highest with 14 kills, followed by Larsen Fellows with six kills and McKi Needham with five. Needham and Kelly Leibers lead in serving aces with four each. Fellows also led in blocking with one solo and three assists. Larue had 12 digs, followed by Pitzman with six and Needham with four.

“Overall we improved a lot this weekend by cutting down on our errors both in hitting and serve receive passing, so we were able to run a much stronger offense,” said Trowbridge. “It was good to have Jane Rohr back in the lineup as well. She had been sitting out to rest an injured shoulder and her hitting power and consistency really carried the team this weekend.  Strong setting by Larsen Fellows and McKi Needham allowed the hitters to do their jobs well.  Larsen had 32 assists for the weekend and McKi had 27 assists.”

This weekend the varsity team takes on Houston in the North South Tournament and then the Mariners C, JV and varsity teams head to Anchorage for three conference matches. They play Grace Christian on Sept. 11, Houston on Sept. 12 and ACS on Sept. 13.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.