At the 2014 2A and Mixed 6 Volleyball State Tournament, the Lady Raiders competed against Koliganek on Thursday, December 11, 2014. Initially planned to play at 2:00 PM, the Lady Raiders were fresh and ready to fight and defend their perfect season. Due to a very horrifying experience in the air, the Koliganek Huskies were forced to undergo an emergency landing at King Salmon. Because of that occurrence, the battle between Raiders and Huskies was re-scheduled at 9:45 PM.

When the time finally came, the Raiders and Huskies dueled. The Raiders took the first two sets. Raiders only needed to take one more set to advance. However, the Huskies won the third set… and then the fourth. The game was taken to a fifth set; game to 15. As all the previous sets against the Huskies, the teams were neck and neck. The Raiders fought hard until the end, but were saddened by the painful truth of their first loss of the season. Lady Raiders: 9 wins, 1 loss. This loss against the Huskies changed the Raiders’ circumstances. The Raiders were no longer able to compete for a position in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.

The next day was a new day. Raiders were to compete against Hooper Bay. As an outcome, Raiders were the victors of the game. Lady Raiders: 10 wins, 1 loss. The win against Hooper Bay advanced the Unalaska Raiders to a match against Kenny Lake Hawks. Mentally, a lot of pressure was on the Raiders. At the Lumen Christi tournament earlier in their season, the Hawks won against the Raiders in a best 2 of 3 match. Winning against Kenny Lake would not only redeem the Raiders of their loss during the Lumen tournament, but the match against them would also be the determinant of which team would place 4th in the state. 

The Raiders knew they needed to win. In order to win, they had to want it more than the other team; have greater will than them. They also had to focus, work hard, play smart, and believe in each other. After utilizing all the skills they have acquired from Coach Amber Wood and I throughout the season and working together, the Raiders ended their season by avenging their loss against Kenny Lake Hawks. 4th place went to the Raiders. Lady Raiders: 11 wins, 1 loss.

At the end of the tournament, the Raiders received the academic award and fourth place for the 2A schools. Some individual achievements were Reanna Marquez receiving the best defensive specialist award for all 2A schools and Louisa Seman and Reanna Marquez being a part of the All-Tournament Team for the Championship Tournament. The Raiders ended the season with pride and played with heart until their last match. All the seniors are sad to leave and cannot wait to hear about the success their team will have in their future. 

Louisa Seman commented, “This season was definitely one I will never forget because of all the growth I have seen in our team and the family that we have created.”

People in the community have been asking me if I am satisfied with the season results. 11 and 1, how could I not be? I am very proud of the girls and our program and I am already looking forward to next season. Go Raiders!