Nikolaevsk went 2-0 to win its pool Thursday at the Mix Six State Championships at Dimond High School in Anchorage.
The tournament starts with 12 teams, and four are dropped from pool play while the other eight advance to the championship bracket. Nikolaevsk starts bracket play today at 2:45 p.m. at Dimond against Gustavus.
Thursday, Nikolaevsk beat Hoonah 2-0 and Tikigaq 2-0. Tikigaq had been undefeated coming into the match.
“The kids played well enough, but they didn’t play as well as they can,” Nikolaevsk coach Bea Klaich said. “I think Point Hope struggled. They are used to having their way. I’m sure they didn’t play as well as they normally play and we were able to take advantage of that.”
Klaich said the Warriors got a chance to watch Gustavus play. Gustavus finished 1-1 in its pool.
“Gustavus has a lot of flash and hits and serves hard,” Klaich said. “We have to be really consistent and the boys have to block really well.”
