Alaska News

T-birds bounce Wolves from CIC tournament

Eagle River made the East Thunderbirds sweat a little for their first-round victory in Thursday's Cook Inlet Conference volleyball tournament. The T-birds needed four sets at Service High to get past Eagle River, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 25-14.

They also needed a huge performance from senior outside hitter Wenda Paleo, who delivered 21 kills and 21 digs. Lauren Lauruhn, a junior libero, also came up with 21 digs for East, which also got boosts from senior setter Christina Pili (26 assists, 10 digs) and senior outside hitter Xalina Gonzalez (15 digs).

The victory sends East into a semifinal match at 6 p.m. today against South. The winner will clinch a spot in Saturday's championship match as well as a spot in next week's state tournament in Wasilla. The loser plays in the CIC consolation match, which awards a state berth to the winner.

Today's 4 p.m. semifinal at Service will feature Dimond against the winner of Wednesday's match between Chugiak and West, which was not reported.

Anchorage Daily News

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