Resilient Mariners Volleyball leash Bulldogs

The Homer Mariner Girls Varsity Volleyball team won against the Nikiski Bulldogs in 5 sets.

By Charlie Menke • September 15, 2022 1:30 am

Tags: Local Sports

The Homer Mariners Girls Varsity Volleyball team continued to build momentum on Saturday, Sept. 10, beating the Nikiski Bulldogs in five sets.

The prior weekend the Mariners had accomplished an impressive feat, winning at the North/South Tournament held at Seward High School. In that tournament, the Mariners beat Houston in the final game to secure the championship. Moreover, seniors Izzy Dye and Brooke Shafer were recognized with All Tournament Team awards, as well as Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Most Outstanding Setter, respectively.

Buzzing from the momentum built in Seward, Mariners were struck by a loss to the Kenai Kardinals on Friday, Sept. 9, in Kenai. Thus, the Mariners returned home to play on Saturday with intentions of realigning their course.

The game wasn’t easy. Head Coach Stephanie Carroll said, “It was a little rough today. We’ve had girls out sick this week and some injuries and we’re still working on a new lineup.”

However, after continuing to trade points with the Bulldogs, the Mariners were finally able to put them down in the fifth set. The Mariners were again lead by their strong senior core, with Dye getting 15 kills, Shafer getting 34 assists, and Junior Goldie Hill getting four blocks.

The win was a product of a collective mental toughness, according to Carroll, with each player contributing to the success of the team over the whole match.

“I was proud of them the way they were able to keep fighting and not give up… I was happy with how they finished,” Carroll said.

The Mariners are now 1-1 in conference play, with much of the season still left. This weekend they travel to Anchorage to participate in the West Spikefest tournament.

“We’re just getting started,” Carroll said. “We have to play together and for each other or else it doesn’t work… that’s mainly our focus: working together to get ourselves back to the state tournament.”