Sports

Defending state volleyball champ South wins Chugiak Invitational

Sparked by tournament most valuable player Kayla Sims, the South volleyball team on Saturday captured the overall title at the 12-team Chugiak Invitational.

Playing in the gold bracket, which featured the top six teams after Friday's round-robin play, the Wolverines twice beat Dimond to win the Invitational.

South won the championship match in straight games 28-26, 25-12. That came after the Wolverines beat Dimond, 25-21, 25-15, in a semifinal match. Dimond reached the championship match after beating Service 25-13, 25-21, in an elimination match.

South beat Dimond last season in the state championship match.

Service took third place in the gold bracket, followed by West in fourth place. East and Chugiak tied for fifth.

In the silver bracket, Wasilla beat West Valley 25-23, 25-12. That Warriors victory avenged an earlier loss to West Valley in the winner's bracket semifinal. Wasilla reached the championship match by beating Palmer in an elimination match.

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