Juneau-Douglas’ Addie Prussing, left, attempts to block Petersburg’s Ines Larson at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas’ Addie Prussing, left, attempts to block Petersburg’s Ines Larson at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears sink Vikings

JDHS volleyball remains unbeaten at home

One team was just beginning its season, the other already more than 10 games in, but Friday night’s Juneau-Douglas-Petersburg volleyball matchup still managed to be a closely-contested affair.

JDHS won 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-20) — the seventh time this season they’ve swept an opponent in such fashion — but Petersburg didn’t go down with out a fight. They covered the court well and made the Crimson Bears work to score. But JDHS passed better and senior Shaylin Cesar and sophomore JoJo Griggs steadied the offense in key moments.

“It was a really back-and-forth game,” Cesar said. “They put up some big blocks toward the end that caught us a little bit.”

Griggs made two acrobatic tips that resulted in points during a 7-1 run in the first set that erased a three-point deficit and put JDHS up 14-11. The surge came after a JDHS timeout with Petersburg in front 10-7.

“We just needed to reset,” JDHS coach Brandee Gerke said. “We weren’t resembling anything that we practice or that we do. We just needed to bring it together, have a reset, take a breath.”

Petersburg, a 2A school whose season begins a month later than 4A schools like JDHS, returned just four players from last year’s 21-4 state championship team. Petersburg head coach Jaime Cabral thought his new-look varsity played well, just not well enough to win.

“They’ve only been practicing together for about 10 days total after we split up and got the teams together,” Cabral said. “So very happy to where they’re at right now. A lot of potential.”

Sophomore Kiana Potter’s two aces late in the second set broke a 17-17 tie. After JDHS couldn’t convert on four straight game points, Potter set up Griggs for a powerful kill to the middle of the court to put JDHS up 25-24 before a Cesar ace won the game.

“Her setting has progressed so much this season,” Gerke said of Potter.

After taking four of its five contests last weekend, JDHS is 8-2 in best-of-five-game matches this season. JDHS went 2-0 against Sitka, 1-1 against Mt. Edgecumbe and 1-0 against Barrow last Friday and Saturday. The Crimson Bears now get ready for Thunder Mountain, who is playing against Ketchikan this weekend. The two play at JDHS at 8 p.m. (6:15 p.m. JV) on Friday and at TMHS at 6 p.m. (6:15 p.m. JV) on Saturday.

“We’re really even and we’re excited to test our abilities against them,” Cesar said.


• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com. Follow Empire Sports on Twitter at @akempiresports.


Juneau-Douglas’ JoJo Griggs, right, attempts a block against Petersburg’s Allie Davis at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas’ JoJo Griggs, right, attempts a block against Petersburg’s Allie Davis at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt bumps the ball up against Petersburg at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt bumps the ball up against Petersburg at JDHS on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in Sports

Through the author’s spotting scope: A Dall sheep feeds in Denali National Park near the Teklanika River. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Too tough to call

The Teklanika River grows and moves swiftly as it flows north. Eventually… Continue reading

A flying squirrel launches a glide, with patagium spread wide. (Photo by Richard A. Wood)
On the Trails: Gliding in air

An eagle soars overhead, wings spread, making only minute steering adjustments of… Continue reading

Fresh snow covers the surface of Eaglecrest Ski Area on Friday morning. General Manager Dave Scanlan said Thursday the plan is to open the ski area next Saturday. (Webcam photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Eaglecrest manager says things look cool for upcoming season, despite delayed opening

Strong numbers for season pass sales, number of foreign student employees, business leaders told.

The Yukon River, seen here as a wide white band, is freezing later in fall and breaking up earlier in spring than it was a few decades ago. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Long-term views of a changed Alaska

As an instructor for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, I have stood before… Continue reading

A light dusting of snow covers the ground at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Wednesday morning. The planned opening for the ski area has been delayed a week until Saturday, Dec. 9, according to General Manager Dave Scanlan. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Eaglecrest delays scheduled opening by one week until next Saturday, Dec. 9

Warm temperatures and rain dissolved much of ski area’s snowpack, but cold and snow in forecast.

A female robin carries a wad of earthworms to her chicks. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
On the Trails: November gloom and cheers

I like to live where there are seasonal changes in weather and… Continue reading

Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Turkey Trot participants thankful for fowl conditions

“Worst weather we’ve had in 10 years” just means burning off more calories.

The author guides his skiff in the direction of muskegs free from digital connectivity, but there is no escaping thoughts of contemporary life. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
I Went to the Woods: Freedom of gratitude

I have fumbled for years attempting to put into words what the… Continue reading

Kristen Rozell skate skis in Valdez in January 2023. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Alaska Science Forum: Surfing in winter on cross-country skis

With mild temperatures and ample snow, much of Alaska is now primed… Continue reading

(Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Soldotna hockey bounces back against Juneau

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale loses 3-1 on Saturday after 4-3 win Friday

Lance Fenumiai, a Juneau resident seen here carrying the ball in a rugby match for St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, has signed a Major League Rugby contract with the Dallas Jackals. (Photo courtesy of Lux214 Media Group)
JDHS grad Lance Fenumiai signs pro rugby contract with Dallas Jackals

Former college All-American to spend holidays training intensely for season that starts in February.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Casey Blackwell, 10, crosses the finish line after running 27 laps around the indoor track at Dimond Park Field House to complete the 5K Pajama Jog on Sunday.
Juneau Girls on the Run go the distance during 5K Pajama Jog

Participants finish looking like stars — 27 of them — after completing that many laps around track.