For the first time since their championship run in 2000, the Nikiski Bulldogs are in the title match of the Class 3A state volleyball tournament.
Showing a flair for the dramatic, Nikiski on Friday won its second straight five-set match of the tournament to claim a spot in Saturday's championship match.
The Bulldogs roared back from a bruising first-set loss to take down Mt. Edgecumbe 13-25, 27-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-9 in the tournament's only winner's bracket game Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center.
At noon Saturday, Nikiski goes for the title against whoever wins a morning match between two teams that have won five of the last six state championships. Mt. Edgecumbe, the state champion in 2014, 2012 and 2011, faces Grace Christian, the state champion in 2013 and 2010. Whichever team wins will face Nikiski at noon.
Grace stayed alive by winning two four-set matches Friday. The Grizzlies first eliminated Barrow and then knocked off defending champion Valdez.
The Bulldogs served notice that they were a team to watch a week ago when they surprised the Grizzlies in the championship match of the Southcentral Conference tournament. Grace entered the tournament unbeaten in conference play.
It was the first time Nikiski had won a conference title in 11 years, and now the Bulldogs have a shot at their first state title in 16 years. Their coach, Stacey Segura, played on the 2005 conference championship team.
ASAA/First National Bank Class 3A volleyball tournament
Friday's results
Winner's bracket
Nikiski def. Mt. Edgecumbe, 3-2 (13-25, 27-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-9)
Loser's bracket
Monroe def. Seward. 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-19, 25-23)
Grace Christian def. Kotzebue, 3-1 (25-16, 14-25, 25-12, 25-23)
Valdez def. Monroe, 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 25-15)
Grace def. Barrow, 3-1 (25-11, 25-23, 25-27, 25-20)
Grace def. Valdez, 3-1 (20-25, 25-11, 25-17, 25-22)
Saturday's matches
8 a.m. – Mt. Edgecumbe vs. Grace Christian
Noon – Championship: Nikiski vs. winner of morning match