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VALDEZ BUCCANEERS KNOCK OFF NUMBER ONE SEED KENAI KARDINALS TO WIN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

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Senior Alyvia Askren-Weber celebrates with her teammates after hitting the game winning shot Saturday afternoon against Kenai.

The Valdez Buccaneers were down two games in the State Championship match Saturday against the Kenai Kardinals but came back to win the final three sets en route to winning the 3A State Championship. When asked what she was thinking after losing the first two games, VHS Senior Ambrosia Woodgate said, “I was thinking we had to pick it up, we had to come together and all work”. When asked how it felt to not only pull through but to be an all tournament selection and named the best setter in 3A, Woodgate commented, “We didn’t get to have one (State Tournament) last year so just being able to do this our senior year was just amazing”.

VHS Junior Peyton Wade said, “We really picked it up toward the end and wanted it more than they did. I think we work together as a team. We connect with each other very well”. Wade served the final points and Alyvia Askren Weber drove home the final kill but the strength of this Buccaneer team might lie in their combined talent, their energy and their trust in each other. “I feel like we definitely earned it,” said Senior Ally Metzger. “We had to work hard and make the smarter plays today but our energy is what helped us win that game”. Ambrosia Woodgate, MoeMoe Togague and Masen Holmes were named All-State selections.

VHS Coach Maddie Fleming praised her entire team for stepping up during a close match against Kenai. “Everyone stepped up and worked hard to prove they were the best 3A team in the State, Fleming said. “I am so proud of this team for how amazing they have played and grown throughout the season”. Read more

Ambrosia Woodgate Setting at State

En route to the Championship game, the Buccaneers knocked off Homer in the first round and the Seward Seahawks in the second round before going head to head with the Kenai Kardinals in the Semi-Final Match Friday night. The Buccaneers took the first two games of the match Friday and Kenai won the next two games. The fifth and final game to 15 was a close one, but Valdez emerged victorious and sent Kenai to the losers bracket. Going into the tournament, Kenai was ranked #1 in the State and Valdez was ranked #3. Kenai played #2 seed Homer Mariners in five close games early Saturday to work their way up through the losers bracket to face Valdez in the Championship Saturday afternoon. Junior Masen Holmes commented after the game Saturday, “I play this game to have fun. I just love this sport. Now I can say I was part of this amazing team”.

Masen Holmes Hitting the Ball against Kena

The Buccaneers got a police escort down main street upon their return to Valdez Sunday and were greeted by Valdezeans holding signs and honking their horns.

 

 

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