Volleyball

Thunder Mountain High School players and spectators celebrate as the Falcons score the winning point to prevail in a five-set series over Ketchikan High School on Saturday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A drama-filled weekend as Juneau’s volleyball teams continue contrasting seasons

TMHS prevails in toughest game yet to stay undefeated; JDHS puts up fight seeking first win.

Thunder Mountain High School players and spectators celebrate as the Falcons score the winning point to prevail in a five-set series over Ketchikan High School on Saturday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ketchikan High School’s Bella Westfall-Zink attempts to block Thunder Mountain High School’s Ashlyn Gates during Friday’s match in Ketchikan, which Thunder Mountain won 3-0. TMHS also swept Ketchikan 3-0 on Saturday night. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)

TMHS volleyball sweeps Ketchikan during two-night road trip, remains undefeated

Last year’s conference champs haven’t lost a set this season, boost record to 4-0

Ketchikan High School’s Bella Westfall-Zink attempts to block Thunder Mountain High School’s Ashlyn Gates during Friday’s match in Ketchikan, which Thunder Mountain won 3-0. TMHS also swept Ketchikan 3-0 on Saturday night. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Evelyn Richards (12) spikes the ball to score a point Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé near the end of the team’s second game against Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday at JDHS. THMS won the game by a score of 25-10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball team hopeful about future potential despite losses against TMHS

THMS completes sweep of two nights of matchups between local teams on each other’s courts.

Evelyn Richards (12) spikes the ball to score a point Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé near the end of the team’s second game against Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday at JDHS. THMS won the game by a score of 25-10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Chloe Casperson (right) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tries to get a shot by Adella Dinle of Thunder Mountain High School during a game on Friday night at TMHS. TMHS swept all three games during the evening, with the teams set for a rematch Saturday at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

THMS volleyball team takes advantage of seniority at home against JDHS

The two schools plan to apply lessons learned during rematch Saturday at JDHS.

Chloe Casperson (right) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tries to get a shot by Adella Dinle of Thunder Mountain High School during a game on Friday night at TMHS. TMHS swept all three games during the evening, with the teams set for a rematch Saturday at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.

Volleyball wraps up regular season

Region tournament set for Nov. 4 and Nov. 5

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.
Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.

TMHS volleyball wraps up stellar season

Falcons fall short of finals at State tournament

Courtesy Photo / Julie Herman The 2022-23 Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team poses for a group photo during 2022 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships in Anchorage on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11.
Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team celebrating their championship victory against JDHS on Saturday, Nov. 5. TMHS now heads to the state tournament in Anchorage to face Colony in the first round on Thursday, Nov. 10. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

TMHS volleyball team advances to state tournament

Falcons will take on Colony in Anchorage Nov. 11

Thunder Mountain girls varsity volleyball team celebrating their championship victory against JDHS on Saturday, Nov. 5. TMHS now heads to the state tournament in Anchorage to face Colony in the first round on Thursday, Nov. 10. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS falls in ’epic’ JIVE finale to Chugiak

Local No. 1 seed falls short to rally by No. 2 team during two-day regional volleyball tournament

Ashlyn Gates of Thunder Mountain High School deflects the ball past a Craig High School player during the Gold Bracket semi-final game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School on Saturday. TMHS, the top seed in the six-team bracket, lost the title game to Chugiak High School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS wins two cross-town matches

TMHS’ Ashlyn Gates and JDHS’ Mila Hargrave both reach for the ball during the second set of a cross-town volleyball match held at JDHS on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)

Thunder Mountain girls volleyball heads to state championship

Proud and pleased.

Thunder Mountain High School girls volleyball players Molly Brocious, center, #10, and Sydney Strong, left, #11, face off against Juneau Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé player Ashley Laudert, #18, during the Region Five tournament in Ketchikan over the weekend. (Mackenzie Pahang / Kayhi Current)
Half Pack’s Julia Frost, Justin Jarvis, Robert Schuler and Alicia Schuler won the first annual Reverse Coed Volleyball tournament Gold Division at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday. Half Pack defeated Will Clark, 2-1, in the title game. (Courtesy Photo | Dave Pusich)

Jump, Pass, Dig dominates reverse coed volleyball tournament

They were the only team to go undefeated.

Half Pack’s Julia Frost, Justin Jarvis, Robert Schuler and Alicia Schuler won the first annual Reverse Coed Volleyball tournament Gold Division at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday. Half Pack defeated Will Clark, 2-1, in the title game. (Courtesy Photo | Dave Pusich)
The Juneau Parks and Recreation Women’s Division 1 Champions: Igloo Construction. (Courtesy Photo | Parks and Recreation)

Parks and Rec Volleyball Winners

The Juneau Parks and Recreation fall volleyball postseason tournament crowned seven champions on Wednesday and Thursday. Top-seeded Island Sons (Men’s Division 1), Koopa Troopas (Men’s… Continue reading

The Juneau Parks and Recreation Women’s Division 1 Champions: Igloo Construction. (Courtesy Photo | Parks and Recreation)
Thunder Mountain High School juniorTasi Fenumiai spikes the ball as South Anchorage’s Camryn Houser goes up for the block in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. South won 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-12). (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Falcons place fifth at state tournament

Thunder Mountain notches first state win ever.

Thunder Mountain High School juniorTasi Fenumiai spikes the ball as South Anchorage’s Camryn Houser goes up for the block in the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Friday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. South won 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-12). (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Sophia Harvey spikes the ball in between West Anchorage’s Danika Brown, left, and Kathleen Dexter in the first round of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain downed by West at state

It was TMHS’ first-ever state tournament appearance.

Thunder Mountain High School sophomore Sophia Harvey spikes the ball in between West Anchorage’s Danika Brown, left, and Kathleen Dexter in the first round of the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 3A/4A Volleyball State Championships on Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain celebrates after defeating Juneau-Douglas 3-2 in the Region V 4A championship game on Saturday at JDHS. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Falcons rally for first ever Region V Championship

Thunder Mountain High School rallied from a one-set deficit to claim their first-ever Region V 4A championship on Saturday night at JDHS. The Falcons defeated… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain celebrates after defeating Juneau-Douglas 3-2 in the Region V 4A championship game on Saturday at JDHS. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau -Douglas during the second round of the Region V Volleyball Championships at JDHS on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. TMHS won 3-1 (25-20, 25-10, 16-25, 25-21). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain overpowers JDHS in Region V Tourney

The Juneau teams could meet again Saturday.

Thunder Mountain celebrates a point against Juneau -Douglas during the second round of the Region V Volleyball Championships at JDHS on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. TMHS won 3-1 (25-20, 25-10, 16-25, 25-21). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain’s Audrey Welling spikes the ball against Juneau-Douglas’ Shaylin Cesar at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Falcons and Crimson Bears to clash in Region V tourney

Juneau-Douglas High School will go for its third consecutive region championship when they host the Region V 3A/4A Volleyball Tournament Friday and Saturday. The 4A… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain’s Audrey Welling spikes the ball against Juneau-Douglas’ Shaylin Cesar at TMHS on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Player of the Week: Riley Stadt

Player of the Week: Riley Stadt

Riley Stadt is the Juneau Empire’s Player of the Week. Stadt, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School, led the Crimson Bears with 22 digs and… Continue reading

Player of the Week: Riley Stadt
Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt uses a soft touch to get the ball over Thunder Mountain’s Sophia Harvey, left, and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale at TMHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears treat alums to thriller

A senior night to remember.

Juneau-Douglas’ Riley Stadt uses a soft touch to get the ball over Thunder Mountain’s Sophia Harvey, left, and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale at TMHS on Friday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School seniors gather for a picture prior to their last home game of the season against Juneau-Douglas on Friday night at TMHS. (Left to right): Kellie James, Tara Dymock, Leilani Eshnaur, Hannah Harvey, Kyra Jenkins Hayes, Sydney Lee, Alex Murray, Kiley Stevens, Marissa Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale, Audrey Welling, Coach Julie Herman. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Seniors share spotlight with sisters, younger teammates

There’s a certain connection sisters Marissa and Mariah Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale share on the court. Whether its Marissa setting the ball to Mariah, or Mariah bumping the… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School seniors gather for a picture prior to their last home game of the season against Juneau-Douglas on Friday night at TMHS. (Left to right): Kellie James, Tara Dymock, Leilani Eshnaur, Hannah Harvey, Kyra Jenkins Hayes, Sydney Lee, Alex Murray, Kiley Stevens, Marissa Tanuvasa-Tuvaifale, Audrey Welling, Coach Julie Herman. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)