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FAIRBANKS — With 40 unforced errors against them, the North Pole Patriots could not overcome their mistakes against the Delta Junction Huskies.

Delta won 24-26, 25-16, 25-22, 19-25, 15-9 with a strong defense, North Pole head coach Victoria Kilgore said by telephone.

“Delta has always played great defense,” Kilgore said. “They keep the ball in play very well. We couldn’t keep the ball in play tonight like they could.”

The Huskies kept the Patriots off balance frequently by putting their first and second hits over the net.

The Patriots’ errors overshadowed a nine-kill match by outside hitter Brittany Bunch, six kills from middle hitter Mackenzie Foran and a solid effort by libero Shelby Wagner, who got three kills from the back row despite standing at just 5-foot-4.

“It’s disappointing to watch as a spectator and as a coach,” Kilgore said.

Wolfpack top Rams

Mike Lessley certainly didn’t sound like the coach of a volleyball team that just got swept Tuesday night.

In fact, he was downright delighted after his Monroe Catholic Rams were defeated by the West Valley Wolfpack 25-22, 25-14, 25-16 because he thought the Class 3A Rams held their own against the 4A Wolfpack.

“It was a win-win situation for Monroe,” Lessley said. “Everyone got to play tonight, and their movement on the floor was good.”

The Rams took a surprising 22-15 lead in the first set, but unforced errors allowed West Valley to get 10 straight points and win the set.

After that, the Wolfpack cruised to victory, though Monroe did tie it up at 12 in the third set.

“(West Valley) just had more experience than us,” Lessley said.

Lessley wasn’t the only happy coach on the night. West Valley’s Dave Cox felt the same way upon winning his debut. He has replaced Matt Steffes, who retired after a long and successful tenure.

“It was nerve-wracking,” Cox said. “For me personally, of course you always want to win your first one.”

After the shaky first game, West Valley gained confidence and began mixing up its offense with a variety of attacks. Leading the way were hitters Samantha Wolters and Karole Renfro as setter Michaela Hale directed the offense.

“We were throwing everything at them,” Cox said.

West Valley aided its cause with a serve percentage of about 90 percent. Ashley Jackovich was perfect from the service line with seven aces.

Malemutes overwhelm Hawks

An experienced Lathrop squad was too much for host Hutchison as the Malemutes rolled to a 25-11, 25-17, 25-8 victory.

“We need to work on our blocks,” Hutchison first-year coach Linda Bode said. “They are consistent, hard hitters. We couldn’t handle their hitting power.”

A bright spot for Hutchison was the backcourt play of Lacey Cruikshank and Hannah Soland.

“We had some great digs in the back row,” Bode said.

North Pole nets Hutch

With North Pole and Hutchison high schools deadlocked at 3-3, Tuesday’s tennis dual meet came down to the No. 2 girls singles match between seniors Katie Callahan and Kayla Robertson.

The Patriots’ Callahan, however, was unaware of just how close the meet was before she began playing.

“I wasn’t nervous because my coach (Carol Smith) didn’t tell me it was all up to me,” Callahan said. “I was glad (that I hadn’t known) afterwards. If she would have told me, I probably would have lost.”

In a match full of deuce games, Callahan prevailed 6-1, 6-4 to help North Pole improve to 2-3 on the season.

In addition to her opponent, the weather proved to be a challenge.

“The blazing sun was quite a hindrance,” Callahan said, because her vision was obscured at times.

While none of the other five matches went to a tiebreaker, there were several close contests.

At No. 1 boys singles, Chris Poole of Hutchison topped Ryan Smith, 6-3, 6-4. But North Pole’s Phillip Martinez offset that result with a 6-4, 6-5 victory over freshman Nick Raugust at No. 2.

In a match among tennis newcomers, the Hawks took boys doubles as Mike Walker and Nico Wehner handled Thomas Lenahan and Mason Schoemaker 6-1, 6-2. Hutchison also won a forfeit at mixed doubles.

North Pole also won girls No. 1 singles (Victoria Martinez blanked Miranda Jenkins 6-0, 6-0) and girls doubles (Kayla Arthofer teamed with Kelsey Scott to top Rachel Wright and Rachael McDougall 6-2, 6-1).

Hutchison next meets Lathrop on Thursday while North Pole is off until Sept. 2 against Monroe Catholic.