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FAIRBANKS — Eielson’s volleyball team got its first Aurora Conference win of the season by defeating host Monroe Catholic 25-9, 25-16, 21-25, 25-13 on Thursday night.

Ravens head coach Shane McAfee was relieved to see Eielson win against a team that beat them twice last season.

“They kind of owned us last year until we beat them in the playoffs,” he said.

However, McAfee didn’t delight in seeing his friend of 30 years, first-year Monroe head coach Mike Lessley, lose in the process.

“It’s nice to win, but you hate to win against your buddy,” McAfee said.

The Ravens’ serving and defense keyed their victory.

The match opened with 12 straight points by the Ravens, with Aubri Vetter effectively using her jump serve throughout.

The back row was anchored by solid play from Christine Odom and Michelle Cook, who passed well, McAfee said.

The third-set win was a first for the Rams this season, as Monroe was swept in its previous four matches.

“We won our first game of the season, and we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.” Lessley said. “The light’s probably a firefly, but guess what? A light’s a light.”

That light didn’t flicker until the third set.

“In the first two games, it was like we weren’t mentally ready to play. In the third game, we started talking, we started playing together as a team and our passing got a lot better.”

But the Ravens strong serving was too much for the Rams.

“In the fourth game, we kind of shot ourselves in the foot,” Lessley said. “Eielson’s (first) server served 10 points in a row. We came back and started playing better; I was very happy with the last two games.”

Lessley was impressed by Monica Clark’s defensive effort in the fourth game as well as her serving. Katie Young was a force at the net with three blocks for the Rams.

Brenna Walsh, a senior outside hitter, had three kills, as did Katie Young, a junior middle hitter, and Jessica Stokes, a sophomore outside hitter.

The win improves Eielson’s record to 1-2 in conference and 2-2 overall.

Monroe is 0-1 in Aurora Conference, 0-5 overall and hosts Valdez on Wednesday and Thursday before playing at the West Valley Invitational next Friday and Saturday.

Lathrop swats North Pole

The Lathrop Malemutes kept their undefeated season intact on Thursday, overcoming both the pesky Patriots and mosquitoes and gnats that swarmed the tennis courts in North Pole.

“It was beautiful weather, except for the mosquitoes which seem to come out at 7 o’clock,” North Pole assistant coach Carol Warbelow said. “As long as they’re out there playing, they’re OK, but our poor ref finally had to break down and ask for some bug dope.”

Lathrop won the meet 6-1 to improve to 6-0 on the season while North Pole slipped to 3-4.

Ryan Smith of North Pole provided his team’s only win, topping Kade Fitzgerald 6-5, 6-4 at boys No. 2 singles.

The Patriots had two near misses, as Katie Callahan was edged by Annelise Bachelder 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 at girls No. 2 singles and Laurie Geyer and Victoria Martinez were nipped by Anya Garrett and Becca Gryder 1-6, 6-3, 7-4 in girls doubles.

The Malemutes handily won the other matches.

In No. 1 boys singles, Sean Sullivan topped Phillip Martinez, 6-3, 6-0; in boys doubles, Drew Lanning and George Ferree took care of Adam Wurster and Thomas Lenahan, 6-1, 6-0; in No. 1 girls singles, Jessa Boertje beat Kayla Arthofer, 6-0, 6-1; and in mixed doubles, Max Hesser-Knoll and Mackenzie Calvillo blanked Mason Schoemaker and Amelia Segler, 6-0, 6-0.

“Lathrop has a very good team,” Warbelow said. “I must say, I’m very impressed with some of our students who are improving.”