Sports : Menard Sports Center new home of prep volleyball tourney - Frontiersman
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By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, December 26, 2009 6:41 PM AKST
WASILLA — Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds admitted he was surprised when he first learned Palmer High School would be hosting the 3A and 4A state volleyball tournaments at the Curtis C. Menard Memorial Sports Center starting in 2010.
But the longtime Palmer head coach wasn’t sure what surprised him more — the reality the state’s biggest tourney would be in the Valley or the fact that the event would no longer be at West Anchorage High School.“It’s been at West High for so long, and Bartlett before that,” Reynolds said. “I thought it was pretty monumental that they moved it at all.”
But earlier this month, thanks to some quick work by officials at both Palmer High and the Menard Sports Center, the Alaska Schools Activities Association Board of Directors awarded a three-year bid to PHS to host the tourney at the Menard for the next three years.
“It’s cool to see it move a little bit,” Reynolds said. “The Valley is definitely growing and has some facilities it didn’t used to have. It’ll be cool to have it out here.” Palmer High School activities director Jeff Thiede said Tedman Allen, a city of Wasilla and Menard Memorial Sports Center recreation coordinator, called him just days before the ASAA’s bid deadline to gauge Palmer’s interest in hosting the tournament.
Thiede said he was hesitant at first, fearing the overall cost of hosting the tournament at the Menard. But after Matanuska Telephone Association agreed to sponsor the event to help out with the rental costs, Thiede said the school submitted its bid.
Thiede said everyone was on board — the school, booster club and officials at the sports complex — but everyone was still unsure about the likelihood of the event finding a home in the Valley.
“Everybody didn’t think we’d get it because West had it for years,” Thiede said.
But Palmer was awarded the bid, and Thiede now believes the opportunity will be beneficial to the school, the sports center and the sport.
Thiede said a pair of volleyball courts — one for 4A action and the other for 3A action — will be temporarily set up inside the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Arena, which is typically home to the Alaska Avalanche Junior A hockey program and local high school hockey teams.
“This truly makes it a multisport facility,” Thiede said. “It showcases what they have to offer.”
The arena sits about 2,100 people. Both Reynolds and Thiede feels the layout of the Menard could also be more fan-friendly than that of West High.
At West, the bleachers are perpendicular to the court and fans are often behind the action. At the Menard, the courts will be set up parallel with the bleachers.
“No one likes to watch volleyball from the back, especially from low and behind,” Reynolds said.
Thiede also said the Menard provides ample locker room space for the teams.
The other unique aspect of the partnership, Thiede said, is Palmer High hosting an event in Wasilla.
“This is showcasing the Valley,” Thiede said.
The Menard has been home to the ASAA state hockey championships for the last two seasons, and Wasilla High School will host the state hockey tourney at the facility again in February.
In addition to hockey, the Menard has also hosted the Alaska state freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments in the past.
January 19, 2010
Randomness
Just a quick hello, there is not much going on right now that is blog-worthy.
Many volleyball players are in the middle of their basketball season right now. I've read some articles in the Frontiersman and it sounds like they're doing awesome. Nice job girls. I heard that Jaimi Cox had a bad knee injury and I'd like to wish her a speedy recovery. We were all sorry to hear about that.
Other girls are playing AVA and hopefully getting a lot out of it. I know our team gets a lot of repetition in the 2 nights week meet each week. Remember, club volleyball is what you make it. If you show up, work hard and try and get lots of reps, you'll come out a better player. I've seen some of you in the gym playing and it looks like everyone is having a good time.
As of now, we are planning to do the summer camp again this year, we'll have more details in a month or so, but it will be similar to last year. Once a week in the gym all summer.
If anyone would like to play open gym volleyball, give me a call or an email and I'll try and get enough people together to have an open gym at AT&T.
Have fun!
Many volleyball players are in the middle of their basketball season right now. I've read some articles in the Frontiersman and it sounds like they're doing awesome. Nice job girls. I heard that Jaimi Cox had a bad knee injury and I'd like to wish her a speedy recovery. We were all sorry to hear about that.
Other girls are playing AVA and hopefully getting a lot out of it. I know our team gets a lot of repetition in the 2 nights week meet each week. Remember, club volleyball is what you make it. If you show up, work hard and try and get lots of reps, you'll come out a better player. I've seen some of you in the gym playing and it looks like everyone is having a good time.
As of now, we are planning to do the summer camp again this year, we'll have more details in a month or so, but it will be similar to last year. Once a week in the gym all summer.
If anyone would like to play open gym volleyball, give me a call or an email and I'll try and get enough people together to have an open gym at AT&T.
Have fun!
December 12, 2009
Stanford Trip
Ok, I don't even know where to begin.
Lets start at the begining. I am in California, about 3 miles away from Stanford University. I came down here with my mom to see Stanford play in thier regional tournament. Out of 64 teams, they were in the final 8. Unfortunetly, Friday night they lost to Michigan. It was a fantastic game though and I took lots of pictures. They are posted on the blog, check them out!
So Saturday night we went and watched the championship game. Hawaii vs. Michigan, well during the intermission, I went over with my "Alaska Loves Stanford" sign and SAT NEXT TO JOHN DUNNING! Yeah thats right, I went right up to the Stanford coach and said "Hello, I was wondering if you would sign my sign?" Well he did and my mom and I talked to him for a bit. Turns out the guy has been to Palmer before. I felt a bit like Kasara getting an autograph from the UAA girls. :) Well after that I didn't concentrate on the game as much but Hawaii won in 3. They are moving on to play Penn State in the final 4.
Lets start at the begining. I am in California, about 3 miles away from Stanford University. I came down here with my mom to see Stanford play in thier regional tournament. Out of 64 teams, they were in the final 8. Unfortunetly, Friday night they lost to Michigan. It was a fantastic game though and I took lots of pictures. They are posted on the blog, check them out!
So Saturday night we went and watched the championship game. Hawaii vs. Michigan, well during the intermission, I went over with my "Alaska Loves Stanford" sign and SAT NEXT TO JOHN DUNNING! Yeah thats right, I went right up to the Stanford coach and said "Hello, I was wondering if you would sign my sign?" Well he did and my mom and I talked to him for a bit. Turns out the guy has been to Palmer before. I felt a bit like Kasara getting an autograph from the UAA girls. :) Well after that I didn't concentrate on the game as much but Hawaii won in 3. They are moving on to play Penn State in the final 4.
November 15, 2009
Banquet
The volleyball banquet is this Wednesday (11-18-09) at 6:30. It is a potluck so everyone is required to bring a main dish. See you then!!
November 10, 2009
Frontiersman's Athlete of the Week!
Prep STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Nicole Cherrier
Published on Monday, November 9, 2009 8:35 PM AKST
Palmer High School senior Nicole Cherrier has been named the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman Prep Student-Athlete of the Week.
Cherrier posted 13 kills to lead the Palmer Moose to a 3-1 win over the Colony Knights during the Northern Lights Conference Championships volleyball tournament at Wasilla High School on Saturday.
Cherrier, a Palmer co-captain, was also named first-team All-NorthernLights Conference following the tournament.
Cherrier has been Palmer’s unquestioned offensive leader as the Moose rebounded from early-season struggles and captured the conference title.
“She’s come a long way,” Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said. “Even in the last two years, she’s just improved immensely.”
The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman congratulates Cherrier on her
success.
Straight from the Frontiersman:
Set for state
By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Monday, November 9, 2009 8:35 PM AKST
PALMER — While the Palmer Moose will know a bit about their first-round opponent, Colony’s draw will be somewhat of a mystery when both Mat-Su teams hit the court for the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships at West Anchorage High School on Thursday.
The Moose, who beat Colony 3-1 in the Northern Lights Conference Championships at Wasilla High School last Saturday, face Dimond Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
Colony meets Southeast Conference champion Juneau-Douglas Thursday at 2 p.m.
It’s been only about two weeks since Dimond handed a 3-1 (17-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23) loss. Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said the familiarity is nice, but regardless of how well a team knows its opponent, the players still have to execute.
“You still have to come out and perform,” Reynolds said. “You can have all the game plans in the world, but you still have to execute.”
Palmer played Dimond (14-4 overall, 11-3 in the Cook Inlet Conference) tough during the regular-season meeting. The Moose took the first set 25-17, and came within two points of forcing a fifth game. Reynolds said he feels there’s certainly room for improvement.
“It wasn’t one of our best outings,” Reynolds said.
But take away that loss, and Reynolds can see a very successful second half of the 2009 season. After early-season struggles, and a stretch of matches that includes losses to Valley rivals Colony and Wasilla, the Moose surged.
The Moose steadily improved, and climbed into the second spot of the NLC North with wins over the Knights and Warriors.
Palmer also beat West Valley and Chugiak late in the season. West Valley is the Mid-Alaska Conference champion and Chugiak won the CIC.
Even after the Dimond loss, Reynolds said he wanted to stress to his players that they deserved to be on the same court as the top squads in the state.
“I wanted them to know they’re certainly capable,” Reynolds said. “They don’t have to play out of their minds to beat the top teams in the state.”
When Colony takes the court against Juneau, the Knights won’t know much about the Bears. But head coach Amy Carter knows Juneau is typically one of the better teams in the state every year.
“Juneau is always good,” Carter said.
Other than that, the Knight will be going in fresh.
Juneau did finish 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the Southest Conference, according to ASAA.
The Bears had to rebound in the double-elimination Region V Volleyball Championships at Mt. Edgecumbe High School last weekend.
The Bears fell to Ketchikan 3-2 in the first round of the Region V tourney, according to the Juneau Empire. But thanks to the unique format of the tourney, Juneau could use wins in consecutive matches to earn Region V’s lone berth to the state tourney.
Carter said the Knights usually see the Bears at some point during the seasons, but their paths did not cross this year. But without any preconceived notions coming in, Carter said it may benefit a Colony squad that has only two players with significant state tourney experience.
In addition to NLC rivals Palmer and Soldotna, Colony has also seen West Valley, Chugiak, Dimond and South this season.
The Knights swept West Valley in the Interior and played each of the Anchorage schools during regular-season tournaments.
Overall, like Reynolds, Carter is proud of the steady improvement of her team this season.
“I’m very pleased with where my team’s at,” Carter said. “especially when compared to where we were at in the beginning of the year.”
The steady progression of each program led to a meeting in the NLC final.
It marked the fourth time since 2003 that Palmer and Colony had met for the conference crown. The rivals also met in the 2003, 2004 and 2007 title matches. Palmer beat Colony 3-2 in 2003 and 2007. Colony swept Palmer 3-0 to win the 2004 NLC championship.
Palmer’s win on Saturday also marked the seventh straight season that Palmer or Colony had won the region title. Palmer won the championship in 2003, 2007 and 2009. Colony finished first in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
This season also marks Palmer’s ninth trip to the state tourney in the last 10 years. Colony has advanced to the state event in each of the last seven seasons.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
By Jeremiah Bartz
Frontiersman
Published on Monday, November 9, 2009 8:35 PM AKST
PALMER — While the Palmer Moose will know a bit about their first-round opponent, Colony’s draw will be somewhat of a mystery when both Mat-Su teams hit the court for the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Volleyball Championships at West Anchorage High School on Thursday.
The Moose, who beat Colony 3-1 in the Northern Lights Conference Championships at Wasilla High School last Saturday, face Dimond Thursday at 7:15 p.m.
Colony meets Southeast Conference champion Juneau-Douglas Thursday at 2 p.m.
It’s been only about two weeks since Dimond handed a 3-1 (17-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23) loss. Palmer head coach Steve Reynolds said the familiarity is nice, but regardless of how well a team knows its opponent, the players still have to execute.
“You still have to come out and perform,” Reynolds said. “You can have all the game plans in the world, but you still have to execute.”
Palmer played Dimond (14-4 overall, 11-3 in the Cook Inlet Conference) tough during the regular-season meeting. The Moose took the first set 25-17, and came within two points of forcing a fifth game. Reynolds said he feels there’s certainly room for improvement.
“It wasn’t one of our best outings,” Reynolds said.
But take away that loss, and Reynolds can see a very successful second half of the 2009 season. After early-season struggles, and a stretch of matches that includes losses to Valley rivals Colony and Wasilla, the Moose surged.
The Moose steadily improved, and climbed into the second spot of the NLC North with wins over the Knights and Warriors.
Palmer also beat West Valley and Chugiak late in the season. West Valley is the Mid-Alaska Conference champion and Chugiak won the CIC.
Even after the Dimond loss, Reynolds said he wanted to stress to his players that they deserved to be on the same court as the top squads in the state.
“I wanted them to know they’re certainly capable,” Reynolds said. “They don’t have to play out of their minds to beat the top teams in the state.”
When Colony takes the court against Juneau, the Knights won’t know much about the Bears. But head coach Amy Carter knows Juneau is typically one of the better teams in the state every year.
“Juneau is always good,” Carter said.
Other than that, the Knight will be going in fresh.
Juneau did finish 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the Southest Conference, according to ASAA.
The Bears had to rebound in the double-elimination Region V Volleyball Championships at Mt. Edgecumbe High School last weekend.
The Bears fell to Ketchikan 3-2 in the first round of the Region V tourney, according to the Juneau Empire. But thanks to the unique format of the tourney, Juneau could use wins in consecutive matches to earn Region V’s lone berth to the state tourney.
Carter said the Knights usually see the Bears at some point during the seasons, but their paths did not cross this year. But without any preconceived notions coming in, Carter said it may benefit a Colony squad that has only two players with significant state tourney experience.
In addition to NLC rivals Palmer and Soldotna, Colony has also seen West Valley, Chugiak, Dimond and South this season.
The Knights swept West Valley in the Interior and played each of the Anchorage schools during regular-season tournaments.
Overall, like Reynolds, Carter is proud of the steady improvement of her team this season.
“I’m very pleased with where my team’s at,” Carter said. “especially when compared to where we were at in the beginning of the year.”
The steady progression of each program led to a meeting in the NLC final.
It marked the fourth time since 2003 that Palmer and Colony had met for the conference crown. The rivals also met in the 2003, 2004 and 2007 title matches. Palmer beat Colony 3-2 in 2003 and 2007. Colony swept Palmer 3-0 to win the 2004 NLC championship.
Palmer’s win on Saturday also marked the seventh straight season that Palmer or Colony had won the region title. Palmer won the championship in 2003, 2007 and 2009. Colony finished first in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
This season also marks Palmer’s ninth trip to the state tourney in the last 10 years. Colony has advanced to the state event in each of the last seven seasons.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
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