The Kenai Kardinals are back on top.

The Kards clawed their way to their third ASAA Class 3A volleyball title in four years, reverse sweeping the reigning champion Nikiski Bulldogs in Saturday’s five-set triumph at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Senior all-star Sophie Tapley played a key role in the 14-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-7 victory, delivering the final block that won her team the match and scoring six of the team’s last 10 points in the third set alone.

“I just went out there and did the best that I could,” said Tapley. “I just was like, I’m not gonna let a ball touch the ground, and if I’m gonna go down, I’m going down swinging.”

The same Alaska Airlines Center court where she just won another championship will soon become Tapley’s home court, as she just committed to play with the Seawolves alongside former Kenai teammate Emma Beck next year.

Sophomore middle Bryleigh Williams also came up clutch for the Kards, nailing three kills and a block in the final seven points of the match. Back row defense played a huge role on both teams, with both liberos earning Player of the Match recognition: junior Savannah Hershberger for the Kards, and for the Bulldogs, junior Abby White.

“We’ve had an interesting season, where I’ve never problem solved so much in my life and used all 14 of my players,” said Kards coach Tracie Beck. “A lot of things have happened all year long, and (the) girls keep bouncing back and dealing with adversity and coming back gritty, and it’s awesome.”

3A State Volleyball

All-Tournament Team
Benny Lie (Nome-Beltz)
Ahmela McFadden (Barrow)
Abby White (Nikiski)
Savannah Hershberger (Kenai)
Kenleigh Newton (Monroe Catholic)
Gracee Every (Kenai)
Lola Compehos (Valdez)
Zadah Unutoa (Barrow)
Mandee Roofe (Nikiski)
Destiny Day (Valdez)
Blakeley Jorgensen (Nikiski)
Sophia Tapley (Kenai)
Sportsmanship Award – Barrow Whalers
GPA Award — Nome-Beltz Nanooks (3.90)
3A Skill Awards
Defensive Specialist – Abby White (Nikiski)
Setter – Destiny Day (Valdez)
Server – Gracee Every (Kenai)
Hitter – Sophie Tapley (Kenai)

Nikiski – which played without all-star Mandee Roofe, who was on crutches on the bench – started the match hot, coming out with a 7-0 run to open the first set led by three kills from sophomore middle Blakeley Jorgensen.

Tapley said that coming up short to the Bulldogs in the first two sets gave the Kards a flashback to last year’s championship match — but this time, they turned the tide.

“I was like, you know what, we’re just gonna go out there and we’re gonna give it everything we’ve got for this third set. You know, if it’s in God’s will, then we’re gonna get it,” said Tapley.

On its way to the championship, Kenai swept Sitka 3-0 and outlasted Valdez 3-2 on Thursday before defeating Nikiski 3-1 in Friday’s semifinals. Friday’s loss sent Nikiski to the loser’s bracket, where they defeated Valdez 3-2 on Saturday morning to prompt the rematch with the Kards.