by Greg Lincoln

The Kalskag Grizzlies are one of the top Mixed 6 volleyball teams in the state. They took home fourth place honors overall in a field of twelve teams at the 2021-22 State Mixed 6 Volleyball Tournament.
Kalskag Lady Grizzlies Mika Levi and Aurrianna Peterson were named to the State All Tournament Team. Levi was also awarded the Best Server Award.
The team Sportsmanship Award was given to the Toksook Bay Nelson Islanders. Senior Islander Asa Pitka was also chosen for the All Tournament Team.
Fans from every corner of the state came to cheer on their hometown teams.
The Grizzlies played their first game against the eventual champions, the Tanalian Lynx of Port Alsworth, losing 25-9 and 25-16 in the best out of three matches. Aurrianna Peterson of the Grizzlies was honored with the Player of the Game award.
In the consolation bracket the Grizzlies defeated the Hoonah Braves, the Toksook Islanders, and the Emmonak Huskies before Shishmaref ended their three game winning streak.
The Islanders lost to Shaktoolik 25-22 and 25-20 in the opening round. Their next game was with Buckland, which they won 25-16 and 25-8. The Islanders had a close first set in their next game against the Kalskag Grizzlies, 25-22. The second set score was 25-19.
Emmonak’s Huskies defeated the Hoonah Braves during the opening round of the tournament. They also defeated the Nuiqsut Trappers in the second round scoring 25-13 in the best out of 3 sets. Nathaniel Jensen (first game) and Nafre Bagongan (second game) were named the Players of the Game.
Coming in second were the Shishmaref Northern Lights. The Shaktoolik Wolverines finished third. The Tanalian Lynx won every set they played during the tournament, except for one. The Shishmaref team won the first set in the best out of five final championship game 25-27.
The Mixed 6 2021 State Volleyball Tournament took place December 2-4, hosted by the Alaska School Activities Association and Dimond High School.
2021 Mixed 6 Tournament Results
1st Tanalian Lynx
2nd Shishmaref Northern Lights
3rd Shaktoolik Wolverines
4th Kalskag Grizzlies
Sportsmanship Award: Toksook Bay Nelson Islanders
Mixed 6 Conference State Finalists
Northwest Arctic: Buckland Sissauni
Yukon River: Emmonak Huskies
Denali: Fort Yukon Eagles
Greater Kuskokwim: Kalskag Grizzlies
Denali: Glacier View Wolverines
Southeast: Gustavus Fox
Southeast: Hoonah Braves
Alaska Coastal: Nelson Islanders
North Slope: Nuiqsut Trappers
Western: Shaktoolik Wolverines
Western: Shishmaref Northern Lights
Southwest: Tanalian Lynx