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Photo by Sam Harrel

Photo by Sam Harrel

FAIRBANKS — West Valley head coach Dave Cox sounded more worried than elated about the Wolfpack’s latest victory.

The Wolfpack had a “disappointing” showing in their 25-18, 14-25, 25-9, 27-25 win over North Pole on Tuesday night, Cox said by telephone.

“It wasn’t our best night,” Cox said. “... I firmly think the girls went in there not thinking it was going to be a difficult victory.”

The Wolfpack entered the match after an impressive second-place finish in the Valdez Invitational last weekend.

Karole Renfro led West Valley’s offense with 10 kills. Micheala Hale got seven kills and Samantha Wolters had six.

But Cox is more concerned with West Valley’s 23 hitting and blocking errors.

“We’re making other teams look better,” he said, noting that game three’s wide margin showed just how much talent is on the West Valley roster.

Patriots head coach Victoria Kilgore also saw much room for improvement from her team, but said North Pole looked fundamentally stronger than in recent matches.

“(In the second game), we were doing everything we were supposed to be doing — moving our feet and talking,” she said by telephone.

Kilgore noted that the Patriots passing has improved but needs to be more consistent.

Though the Patriots frequently opposed West Valley’s attacks with just one blocker — either Meghan McKinnell or Mackenzie Foran — that single blocker was enough to stifle many Wolfpack hits.

“We just kept hitting into her, hitting into her,” Cox said.

Cox also lamented the Wolfpack’s communication issues.

“One person would call the ball, and another would just stick her arm right in front of her,” he said.

Lathrop netters down Eielson

The Lathrop tennis team swept its last home meet of the season, defeating Eielson 7-0.

The Malemutes didn’t drop a set, and three of their five seniors got a win on senior night.

Senior Becca Gryder freshman Jessa Boertje defeated Eielson seniors Amber Harger and Amanda Williams 6-2, 6-3 in girls doubles.

Malemutes seniors George Ferree and Amanda Lien got a 6-2, 6-2 in mixed doubles win over the Ravens duo of sophomore Taylor Jacobs and senior Krystal Madison.

In boys doubles, Kade Fitzgerald got a 6-2, 6-5 victory over Thomas Baldwin.

Eielson had to forfeit boys doubles, boys No. 2 singles and both girls singles matches, so Lathrop seniors Sean Sullivan and Andrew Slagle were unable to play.

Nanooks notes

The UAF rifle team’s match against UTEP has been moved to Friday and Saturday. The matches will take place at the E.F. Horton Rifle Arena on the UAF campus. The Bundesliga final will begin at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets for Saturday morning’s Nanook Hall of Fame brunch have risen in cost to $30. The brunch begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Wood Center ballroom.

Correction

On Sept. 12, West Valley football player Victor Wisel returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in the Wolfpack’s win over the Lathrop Malemutes. The return was incorrectly attributed.