The Bartlett Golden Bears and East Thunderbirds are headed to the state volleyball tournament.
The teams advanced by virtue of their victories in winner's-bracket matches in the Cook Inlet Conference tournament at Service High.
Bartlett, the tournament's No. 2 seed, beat South in three sets Thursday 27-25, 25-20, 25-18.
East, the No. 5 seed, upset top-seeded Dimond in five sets Wednesday night 22-25, 19-25, 25-18, 26-24, 15-10.
Fueling Thursday's win for Bartlett was Liu Pa'ia Togaga'e, who finished with 12 kills, 14 digs and three blocks. Leeanna Atafua handed out 23 assists, Violett Togaga'e supplied seven kills, 14 digs and three blocks and Kendra Camell added three blocks for the Golden Bears.
Four teams are still in the running for the CIC's third and final berth in next week's state tournament at West High — Dimond, South, West and Chugiak. The berth will go to whichever team manages to win its next two tournament matches.
Chugiak stayed alive Thursday by tripping Service in four sets 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13.
Tournament action continues Friday with three matches, including a 7:30 p.m. tilt between Bartlett and East. The winner will earn a spot in Saturday's 6 p.m. championship match, and the loser will drop into the loser's bracket.
CIC volleyball
Wednesday's late result
East def. Dimond 22-25, 19-25, 25-18, 26-24, 15-10
Thursday's results
Bartlett def. South 27-25, 25-20, 25-18 (winner's bracket)
Chugiak def. Service 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13 (loser's bracket)
Friday's matches
3:30 p.m. — Chugiak vs Dimond (loser out)
5:30 p.m. — West vs South (loser out)
7:30 p.m. — East vs Bartlett (winner's bracket)