Once the volleyball match between the Cook Inlet Conference’s biggest rivals started late Thursday evening, one couldn’t help but wonder if the morning bell to start Friday’s school day would soon ring.
Dimond and South faced off for the first time in 11 months with dueling student sections displaying similar rambunctiousness inside the Wolverines’ den. The Lynx breezed to a three-set sweep – 25-13, 25-13, 25-16 – to exact some modicum of revenge from November when South won their second consecutive Class 4A state title in a stirring five-set match at the Alaska Airlines Center.
“We needed this opportunity to prove to ourselves we’re a good team, and one that can try to again aim for that championship,” said Dimond senior libero Kailei Muehlenkamp, who finished with 16 digs and seldom left the court.
While that’s all well and good, let’s for a moment talk delay. The marquee best-of-five match between the Lynx and Wolverines – programs which combined to split the last 16 4A state crowns dating back to 2005 – was scheduled by the Anchorage School District to begin at 7:15 p.m.
Dimond’s Jolee Kelzenberg. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
The first ball officially went in the air at 8:38 p.m., 83 minutes late. Dimond needed only 66 minutes to secure the victory. Exorbitant warm-up periods and well-intentioned teacher appreciation ceremonies before play aside, something with the conference’s regular-season schedule doesn’t jibe.
For whatever reason and according to ASD’s online schedule, officials arranged Thursday’s best-of-three C team match to start at 5 p.m., followed by the best-of-three junior varsity match at 6 p.m. and then varsity to cap the evening.
Volleyball doesn’t necessarily happen so fast. It can make for an oddly long night in the gym.
“We definitely notice when we don’t have enough time to do our homework,” Muehlenkamp said.
Most of the remaining CIC schedule before the conference championship tournament begins the first week of November calls for 75-minute buffers between match starts. Good luck getting those tripleheaders finished in a timely manner.
Dimond (21-6) faced a first taste of Alaska adversity Monday when it dropped a 3-1 nonconference decision to Colony. The only other losses came at the hands of Outside teams during a September trip to Arizona.
“We didn’t want to feel that loss feeling again,” Muehlenkamp said. “Plus, this one was against South and you always want to beat South.”
Dimond’s Lauren Sulte. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
The Lynx never trailed in the first two sets and only briefly in the third (1-0 and 2-1). Senior outside hitters Lauren Sulte (9 kills, 14 digs), Laney Fagerstrom (9 kills) and Jolee Kelzenberg (6 kills, 11 digs) came up with bombastic answers play after play.
Seniors Elaina Alfano and Alyssa Walker also formed a formidable duo in the middle.
South junior Allison Ward finished with five kills and freshman setter Ellie Kleven added 21 assists. The Wolverines dropped to 12-12-1 overall and 4-4 in CIC action.
“We lost a big majority of our team (from last season),” said current South senior Grace Ruebling. “We have a lot of new players that we’re getting into the program.”
The state tournament begins Nov. 10.
“I think we have a real shot to make state,” Ruebling said.
The Dimond and South students came to cheer on Thursday’s match with prepared themes. The Lynx went with a sportscaster motif, with a painted ESPN sign and multiple kids wearing headsets or nice suits.
Many of the Wolverines’ faithful dressed out in pajamas.
“(The theme) was supposed to be ‘Sleep on, Dimond’ but they were the ones sleeping,” Muehlenkamp said.
Thursday’s late night wasn’t lost on the student who at one point showed off the “It’s Bedtime, South” sign.
“It’s always a bit intense, isn’t it?” Ruebling said.
Dimond’s Laney Fagerstrom. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report