The Grace Christian volleyball team has found Mt. Edgecumbe to be a troublesome foe last two seasons, losing to the Braves in the Class 3A state title match each year.
Friday, the Grizzlies delivered a measure of payback, taking down their nemesis 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 in the semifinals of the state tournament at Chugiak High.
"I think the girls were very ready and very confident at the beginning of the game," said Grace coach Valerie Steele. "It wasn't easy."
Mt. Edgecumbe still has a chance to claim its third straight state title if it can win a loser-out match Saturday at noon, when the Braves take on the winner of a 10 a.m. loser-out match between Skyview and Hutchison.
A win would earn the Braves a rematch with Grace, but they would need to defeat the Grizzlies twice to take the championship in the double-elimination tournament.
Heather Green led the charge for Grace on Friday, flirting with a triple-double by accumulating 19 kills, 17 digs and seven aces.
Natalie Moore came up with 15 digs, six kills and two aces, and Felicity Roe dished 27 assists to go with 10 digs and three kills.
Reach Jeremy Peters at jpeters@adn.com or 257-4335.
By JEREMY PETERS