Point Hope repeats in Mixed 6 volleyball champion

Point Hope dropped the opening set 28-26 after having a set point, but the Harpooners came back strong winning the next three sets by scores of 25-18, 25-14, 25-16.

"We just worked well as a team," said Point Hope's George Vincent. "We protected each other's back. We started out a little slow, but we put it all together and started playing as a team."

Point Hope also beat Golovin in the championship game last year. The Harpooners had the most difficult route to the title as they beat the eventual third-place finishers, Newhalen, and fourth-place finishers, Unalakleet, on their way to the championship.

Newhalen rallied from a first-set loss to beat Kwethluk and claim third place. The Malamutes, led by player of the game Matthew Askoak, prevailed 18-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19.

Unalakleet downed Noatak in four sets to take fourth place.

ASAA/First National Bank Alaska

Mixed 6 championships

Dimond High

1st place -- Point Hope def. Golovin, 26-28, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16. Players of the game -- Raymond Koenig, Point Hope; Frank Amaktoolik Jr., Golovin.

3rd place -- Newhalen def. Kwethluk, 18-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-19. Players of the game -- Matthew Askoak, Newhalen; Carlton Hautala, Kwethluk

4th place -- Unalakleet def. Noatak, 25-15, 14-25, 25-18, 25-23. Players of the game -- Pete Katongan, Unalakleet; Fred Luther Jr., Noatak

All-Tournament Team -- Shralyn Sockpealuk, Golovin; Matthew Akoak, Newhalen; Fred Luther Jr., Noatak; Katiya Erickson, Unalakleet; Freddi Wassillie, Newhalen; Joshua Sergie, Kwethluk; Tammy Papp, Marshall; George Vincent, Point Hope; Pete Katongan, Unalakleet; Bruce Morgan, Russian Mission; Raymond Koenig, Tikigaq; Frank Amaktoolik Jr., Golovin.

Server: Pete Katongan, Unalakleet; Setter: Katiya Erickson, Unalakleet; Hitter: Frank Amaktoolik, Golovin; Defense: Robert Moses Jr., Golovin.

1A/2A tournament

Klawock swept its way through the state tournament, completing an unblemished run to the crown with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 victory over Skagway in the championship game on Saturday.

The Cheiftains swept Ninilchik in the opening round and Koliganek in the semifinals before finishing with another sweep of Skagway.

"The girls played well as a team it was a lot of fun to watch," said Klawock coach Kelli Larson. "We had four seniors on the team so I knew we had the maturity and skill level to do well."

Last year, in the final year of the tournament including 3A schools, Klawock lost to 3A Barrow in the championship game. This year Klawock met an opponent it was very familiar with, fellow Southeast opponent Skagway. In the Southeast Region Klawock lost to Skagway in the opening round before rebounding to beat them twice to take the region title.

"It was exciting to be in the championship game two years in a row, but it was also a bit scary knowing that we were playing a team that knew us well," Klawock senior Tess Larson said. "We just tried to keep our heads in the game and keep our energy up. It's a great way to finish."

Kalskag swept Koliganek to capture third place and Kenny Lake turned back Tok in four sets to claim fourth place.

ASAA/First National Bank Alaska

Mixed 6 championships

Dimond High

1st place -- Klawock def. Skagway, 25-25, 25-19, 25-23. Players of the game -- Tess Larson, Klawock; Elis Doland, Skagway.

3rd place -- Kalskag def. Koliganek, 25-20, 25-17, 25-13. Players of the game -- Sophia Levi, Kalskag; Brianna Nelson, Koliganek.

4th place -- Kenny Lake def. Tok, 25-19, 25-14, 19-25, 25-22. Players of the Game -- Hannah Rosenkrans, Kenny Lake; Jaycee Peet, Tok.

All-Tournament Team -- Chelsey Kasayulie, Koliganke; Tori carl, Klawock; Cassie Fefelov, Ninilchik; Reid Goneau, Tok; Sarah O'Leary, Seldovia; Ariel Ramadanovi, Kalskag; Brianna Nelson, Koliganek; Hannah Rosenkrans, Kenny Lake; Elise Doland, Skagway; Patricia Holmber, Kalskag; Tess Larson, Klawock; Jesse Ellis, Skagway.

Server: Elise Doland, Skagway. Setter: Rebecca Armour, Klawock. Hitter: Ariel Romadanovic, Kalsag. Defense: Hannah Rosenkrans, Kenny Lake.