The Kenai Kardinals cruised through a pair of opening day matches at the ASAA 3A State Volleyball Championships on Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Nikiski fell in an opening round contest; however remain alive in the double-elimination format state tournament.
Kenai Kardinals 3 – Nome/Beltz Nanooks 0
Kenai, #1 seed from the Southcentral Conference, opened with a three-set sweep of the Nome Nanooks in the Kardinals opening round contest. Kenai controlled play throughout recording a 25-11, 25-14, 25-13 match victory. Kenai advanced to a Thursday night winner’s paring against Valdez, #1 from the Aurora Conference.
Kenai Kardinals 3 – Valdez Buccaneers 1
The Kardinals dropped the first set 25-17 to the Bucs; then rallied to record three-straight for a 3-1 match victory. Kenai took the final three sets 25-23, 25-19, 25-13 gaining momentum with each set.
Kenai advances to the winner’s-bracket semi-final on Friday night at the Alaska Airlines Center, scheduled for a 5:15 p.m. game against #1 Southeast Sitka Wolves.
Nikiski Bulldogs 0 – Sitka Wolves 3
The Bulldogs battled Southeast Conference champion Sitka falling short in the three game match to the Wolves 25-21, 25-13 and 25-21.
Nikiski continues play in the double-elimination format with a 10 a.m. Friday match against the Barrow Whalers. With a win, Nikiski will advance to face Valdez in the 1:30 p.m. tournament game on Friday afternoon at the Alaska Airlines Center.
Other Opening Day Results
Valdez 3 – Houston 0
Monroe 3 – Barrow 2
Sitka 3 – Monroe 0
