Skyview, Seward win tournament openers

The Skyview High School volleyball team started the Region III/4A tournament at Wasilla off on the right foot Thursday, defeating Kodiak in five games to advance to the semifinals.

Skyview won the first game 15-5, but Kodiak tied the match with a 15-13 victory in the second game.

The Panthers took the third game 15-13, but Kodiak forced a fifth game with a 15-4 win in the fourth game.

Skyview wrapped up the match with a 16-14 win in the fifth game.

The Panthers will meet Palmer in the semifinals today. The winner of the match advances to the title match and secures a trip to the state tournament.

Palmer defeated Kenai Central in five games. The Kardinals started the match with a 15-13 win, but Palmer leveled things up with a 15-12 win in game two. Kenai won the third game 15-9, but the Moose took two straight, 15-9, 15-2, to advance.

Homer lost to Colony in four games. The Knights won 15-11, 13-15, 15-11, 15-11 to advance to a semifinal matchup with Wasilla, a 15-2, 15-7, 15-11 winner over Soldotna.

At the District 3/3A tournament hosted by Heritage Christian in Anchorage, Seward advanced to the semifinals with a 15-3, 15-9, 15-5 win over Anchorage Christian Schools.

Seward will play Grace Christian, a 15-3, 15-5, 15-4 winner over Susitna Valley, for a spot in the championship and a trip to state.

Nikiski, the beneficiary of a first-round bye, will face the winner of the late Houston-Heritage game in the semifinals.