The Kenai Central volleyball team advanced to the final of the Class 3A state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage by defeating Valdez 3-0.
The Kardinals, the two-time defending state champs, advanced to a fourth straight state final by topping the Buccaneers 25-17, 25-19 and 25-12.
Brynnen Hanson had 33 digs for the Kardinals, while Kate Wisnewski, Sophie Tapley and Stella Selanoff all had 17.
Tapley had 17 kills, while Selanoff had 12 and Avia Miller had eight. Wisnewski had 43 assists.
Both Ellsi Miller and Tapley had two blocks. Wisnewski and Sarah Baisden had two aces.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Kenai will play the winner of Valdez-Nikiski. The Valdez-Nikiski match is at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The Bulldogs survived a long day in the playback bracket.
First, Nikiski defeated Barrow 25-15, 25-15 and 25-23.
Kailey Stynsberg had 22 digs, while Evelyn Reichert had 11. Alexa Iyatunguk had nine kills, while Ashlynne Playle had eight. Mandee Roofe had five blocks, while Playle had four.
Nikiski then defeated Sitka 19-25, 25-13, 17-25, 25-13 and 15-7.
Abby White had 27 digs, while Stynsberg had 20 and Reichert had 18.
Avery Ellis had 20 assists,while Playle had 16 kills. Roofe had eight blocks.
Nikiski then defeated Seward 25-22, 25-16, 22-25 and 26-24. That puts the Seahawks in fourth place in the state.
Seward had defeated Monroe Catholic 25-18, 26-24, 24-26 and 25-17 in the playback bracket to get to the match against Nikiski.
Soldotna finished tied for fifth in the Class 4A state tournament. The Stars started the day in the playback bracket by defeating Juneau-Douglas: Yadaa.at Kale 25-14, 25-20 and 25-13.
Soldotna then lost to Wasilla 25-13, 25-18 and 25-18.
