After a strong performance against the previously undefeated Petersburg on Friday, Dillingham lost 1-3 to Cordova in the championship.
The Lady Wolverines earned the runner-up spot at the 2A state volleyball tournament this weekend.
Head coach Meghan Slagle says the highlight of the weekend for Dillingham was a nail-biter semi-final game against the top-seeded team going into the tournament, Petersburg.
"They were previously undefeated, and when we played them on Friday night, it was a battle for every single point," says Slagle. "Our girls played out of their minds! I think we played better in that game than we even played in the championship. That's the one I keep playing over and over again in my head. They played so well."
The Wolverines beat Petersburg in five in a long game Friday night. After such a strong performance, Slagle says the team was feeling confident going into the championship match against Cordova, a team that had beat Dillingham twice earlier this season.
"We lost the first set against them," says Slagle, "and won the second set. Our girls came out hot on that second set and we were just ripping on the ball, it was awesome."
"The third game we broke down a little bit mentally. We struggled with communicating, and we had a few balls drop that don't usually drop. And I think from that point on it was a little hard for us to battle back, because Cordova had a lot of the momentum going into the fourth set. "
The fourth set was more of a battle, with Dillingham and Cordova trading points back and forth.
"For a second I thought we were going to pull it off and take them to five," says Slagle, "but I'm really, really proud of how we played, and a second place finish is pretty darn good."
Several star performers were recognized, including Dillingham senior Sarah Schroder, who was awarded outstanding setter for the whole tournament.
"I think she had the best game I've ever seen her play in the championship game," said Coach Slagle. "She was digging balls like crazy and getting to stuff all over the court. I was really proud of her play and I'm glad that they recognized her."
Schroder, as well as Sydney Dray and Emily Macarthur made the all-tournament team as well.
The Bristol Bay Angels took fifth place overall. They lost to Petersburg in the consolation game Saturday.
The final 2A results: Cordova took the state title, Dillingham second, Petersburg third, Su-Valley took fourth place, Bristol Bay fifth and Craig took sixth.
