The University of Alaska Fairbanks    

Get in tune with UAF volleyball

By ANDY LYNCH, KTVF Sportscaster

The harmonica is a vastly underrated instrument. Let me explain where this tangent comes from.

I was walking out of the library the other day and heard the melody of the small sound machine from a man seated on the bench outside, and I thought to myself, "The harmonica is a really cool instrument. I wonder why more people don't play it?"

I think the same way about the sport of volleyball. It's vastly underrated for both playing and spectating. The University of Alaska Fairbanks match against Alaska Anchorage showed us some of that excitement last weekend, as the play was back and forth with lots of powerful hits and blocks exchanged.

UAF head coach Phil Shoemaker has an exciting team that will do well in the next three years, if not right away. Three of his freshmen are already forces in the offense and middle blocker Katie Tobiasz could become the most feared player in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference once she gets in a good rhythm with the offense. She just seems to have an energy and presence about her.

Mallory Bergstrom joins Candice and Carlin Smith in giving the Nanooks the stability and leadership that this young team needs. It's just a fun squad to watch, because they have so many offensive weapons. The key to their success or failure will be the same as any football or basketball team, because, even in volleyball, it's defense that wins championships.

Volleyball is such an enigmatic sport. There are so many levels of play to it, unlike football or even baseball. You see it at church picnics and at the beach (oh, how I love the beaches here in the Interior). By many, it's known simply as a recreational sport, like street hockey or croquet. But if you look at some of the best female athletes in many high schools, you'll notice a lot of them spend their fall on the volleyball court. Also, throughout the country, high school volleyball provides the most competitive action in all of women's sports, with the possible exception of basketball, which is by far the most up-and-coming women's sport. Basically, volleyball is a staple in all high schools.

Men's leagues, on the other hand, are much more sparse, especially at the highest levels. But if you've ever seen the game played at the Olympic level, it's truly a powerful event.

I love volleyball. Partially because I don't have to move more than three steps in any direction, but such is the life of a front-row player. I think coach Shoemaker is helping Fairbanks realize how much fun it can be to watch and be a part of, simply because he's a great ambassador for the game. He teaches the fans before each match with a session that goes over strategies and game plans, and he brings in quality players who seem to become a part of the community so naturally.

I think everyone knew Jamie Schanback and Angel Fairbanks by the time their careers came to a close. Part of this was due to their work on the courts, but more so by just being around town.

Volleyball will never become huge. It won't be a a major TV sport and I don't see much chance for expansion beyond where it's at right now. I don't think that's a bad thing. We have a really good V-ball scene right now up on the UAF hill and in high school gyms around the Interior. Lathrop and West Valley look strong and Monroe Catholic has yet to lose.

We just need to stop and listen to the sweet sounds, like I did the other day, and appreciate them. There's really something special about both the harmonica and the game that a lot of people have missed.

KTVF sportscaster Andy Lynch writes a weekly column titled Andy's Ramblings for webcenter11.com. You can e-mail him with questions or comments at alynch@ktvf.com .