JDHS, TMHS spikers sweep Southeast foes

JDHS, TMHS spikers sweep Southeast foes

In the final weekend before their long-anticipated series together, the Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain volleyball teams completed two-game sweeps against Southeast counterparts Petersburg and Ketchikan on Saturday.

JDHS won 3-0 (25-23, 25-6, 25-10) over Petersburg on their home floor while TMHS defeated Ketchikan 3-0 on the road in their first and last visit of the season to the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium. The Falcons also won in straight sets on Friday night: 25-14, 25-7, 25-5.

The Crimson Bears played progressively better in their Saturday win, according to coach Brandee Gerke. Gerke said far too few passes were being directed to setters Shaylin Cesar and Kiana Potter in the first set. After “eking out” a 25-23 win, JDHS dominated the second set, allowing 17 fewer points in an inspiring effort that impressed the coach.

“I just encouraged the kids to have fun out there and bring their hard serve back and start hitting the ball harder,” Gerke said. “They did it — they pulled everything together. Their blocking was on, their digging was on, their passing was on.”

JoJo Griggs and Skylar Hickok led the team in attacks while Addie Prussing provided a strong block. All three players have taken on larger roles on the team after four starters graduated last year. Cesar, one of the key players last year and this year, said the group is coming together nicely.

“We play really well together,” Cesar said. “We drive each other, we push ourselves to play our best. So we’re really preparing for (Thunder Mountain) and regions.”

JDHS and Thunder Mountain square off at JDHS on Friday at 8 p.m. (6:15 p.m. JV) and at TMHS on Saturday at 6 p.m. (4:15 p.m. JV). The Region V tournament is Nov. 2-3 at JDHS.

“The kids know its going to be a close match,” Gerke said. “So we just need to make sure that we have good focus and work hard.”

TMHS coach Julie Herman was not immediately available for comment.


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


More in Sports

A beach marmot alongside the trail seems to pose for its photograph. (Photo by Helen Unruh)
On the Trails: Spring??

The calendar says it is spring and maybe it is here. But… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior JJ McCormick is honored during the Crimson Bears baseball senior night against Ketchikan Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears baseball team sweeps Kayhi

JDHS underclassmen step up to honor seniors.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Nick Iverson wins the boys’ 800-meter run with a time of 1:55.27 during the Ketchikan Invitational at Esther Shea Field on Saturday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
JDHS track record falls at Ketchikan meet

Iverson speeds to 800 mark, Connally chases 100.

In this file photo from last week’s home win against Soldotna the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé back defense of Ryan Thibodeau (12), keeper Callen Walker, Elliott Welch (35), Bryce Haygood (15), Reed Maier (19) heading the ball, Erik Thompson (24) and Owen Rumsey defend the box in a win over the Stars. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Crimson Bears soccer teams battle through Fairbanks

JDHS boys win two more, girls fall in two close matches.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé's Ida Meyer runs in the girls' 3,200 meter, finishing third during the Ketchikan Invitational at Esther Shea Field on Friday. (Christopher Mullen/ Ketchikan Daily News)
Kestel, Leuahli win opening track events at Kayhi

First day of Ketchikan Invitational Track meet ends.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Noah Lewis slides safely into home plate as Ketchikan pitcher Owen Mendoza attempts a tag during the Crimson Bears’ 17-7 win over the Kings on Friday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. The ball was jarred loose on the play. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears baseball team swats Kings

JDHS wins first game of three-game home stand.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors, from left, Jacob Katasse, Christian Nelson and JJ McCormick will be honored Saturday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park after the Crimson Bears 4 p.m. game against Ketchikan and before their 7 p.m. game with the Kings. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS baseball team to honor senior players Saturday

Crimson Bears seniors are Jacob Katasse, JJ McCormick and Christian Nelson

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junor Peyton Wheeler (5) shown in this file photo scoring last week against Soldotna, scored two goals Thursday in the Crimson Bears 2-1 win over Lathrop at Fairbanks. JDHS plays at Lathrop again Friday and at West Valley Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
JDHS soccer teams challenge Lathrop in Fairbanks

Crimson Bears topple Malemutes; girls win 2-1, boys 7-0.

Most Read