The University of Alaska Fairbanks    

UAF opens with high hopes

By BOB ELEY Sports Editor

With a first-team all-conference selection and last year's Freshman of the Year returning along with the team's Most Valuable Player, there's plenty of reason for optimism as the University of Alaska Fairbanks volleyball team embarks on its fifth season under the direction of coach Phil Shoemaker.

Seniors Mallory Bergstrom, an outside hitter who was an all-conference first-team selection last year, and Carlin Smith, the team's Most Valuable Player, are among the seven returning players from last year's team that compiled a 13-10 overall record and finished fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Outside hitter and GNAC Freshman of the Year Danielle Hitzeman also returns to the lineup along with junior setter Kayleen Stenehjem, junior outside hitter/libero Crystal Wheelock, sophomore setter Dasa Capova and junior middle blocker April Blandford.

Freshman middle blocker Mallory McCormick heads up a talented list of newcomers that includes freshman defensive specialist Danielle Ryder, freshman libero Jessica King, freshman outside hitter Jenna Jones and sophomore middle blocker Erica Starr.

"We're going to be able to put a very exciting team on the floor," Shoemaker said earlier this week as he prepared the Nanooks for tonight's season-opener against Cal Poly Pomona.

The Nanooks meet the Broncos at 8 tonight in the Patty Center, following a 6 p.m. contest between Findlay and Western State.

All four teams will meet in the Midnight Sun Invitational scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Patty Center.

Shoemaker got his first look at the Nanooks last weekend when they split a pair of exhibition matches, losing to the Fairbanks Flyers and beating the UAF Alumni.

"It was great, not necessarily our performance, but in terms of what we wanted to get out of it," Shoemaker said. "It exposed our weaknesses and showed us a lot of positives and gave us a good look at the team against some pretty good competition.

"I think we have a better offensive team than we had last year and we have the potential to be a better defensive team as well," Shoemaker added. "There are still a lot of unknowns and lots of room for improvement."

Shoemaker said the Nanooks have some "communications issues" that need to be worked out in order for the team to be successful.

"If you don't do the right things, it translates into a breakdown in your plays," he said. "Good teamwork on the court translates into passing and setting and if you do those things well everything else will follow."

Following are coach Shoemaker's comments on the players on this year's roster.

Danielle Ryder (5-8, Juneau): "She's a good ball control player whose greatest strength will be at libero or defensive specialist. We've been pretty happy with her in practice. When you tell her this is what you want her to do, she goes out and works hard at it."

Jessica King (5-9, Hailey, Idaho): "She's a little bit in the same mold as Danielle Ryder, but she's bigger and more physical. I see her playing mostly as libero this year and then moving to the outside in the next year or so."

Jenna Jones (5-8, Fairbanks): "She's been a pleasant surprise. We didn't know what to expect and she's made the transition to the college game pretty well. She's going to improve dramatically during her career. She's got the tools to become a very good college player."

Erica Starr (5-11, Fairbanks): "She's a nice athlete, a hard worker and an intelligent kid. Her time on the court may be limited, but every day in practice we see her doing something better. As she gets better, we will get better as a team."

Mallory Bergstrom (5-11, Bend, Ore.): "When you look at all her stats, we certainly have big expectations this year and she has big expectations for herself. She's the captain and the leadership responsibilities fit well with her personality. We'd like to take some of the load off her, but we know we can count on her in just about any situation."

Kayleen Stenehjem (5-11, Anchorage): "This could be a breakthrough year. She may not see a ton of action, but her real value is that we have a second good setter in practice. There are times when she looks awfully good on the court. She's very stable, calm, cool and collected and when called upon we know she will respond well."

Mallory McCormick (6-0, Regina, Saskatchewan): "We're really happy with Mack. We knew she was going to be good because of her background and training and it's shown in practice. She has a much more mature personality on the court that you would expect from a freshman. She will make significant progress over the course of the season. Nothing fazes her and whatever we ask her to do, she does well."

Crystal Wheelock (5-7, Anchorage): "She redshirted her first year and has steadily grown and grown. She's a hardworking, physically talented athlete. She's ready to play a much bigger role on the left side. She's got great tools and reminds me a lot of Jamie Schanback in terms of talent."

Danielle Hitzeman (5-10, Vacaville, Calif.): "She's another one who does whatever you ask her to do. She's just a really good player offensively and defensively. She's good at all phases of the game. She's the assistant captain and is liked and well respected within the team. She and Bergstrom are a great one-two combination."

Dasa Capova (5-9, Prague, Czech Republic): "She's clearly our No. 1 setter and I think that's a good thing for her and us, too. She's more comfortable in all respects than she was last year. She's come a long way from last year and is doing a good job for us."

Carlin Smith (6-1, Brea, Calif.): "Last year Mallory got all the attention, but Carlin was our Most Valuable Player and I think that was justified. We were having a potentially great season until the last six matches when she got hurt. You saw her value when she wasn't on the court. She's not really flashy and doesn't show a lot of emotion, but she's a very tough competitor. We're looking forward to having her back and healthy and I think she's going to have a great senior season."

April Blandford (6-0, Valdez): "She has taken a big step forward this year. She was good last year, but she's worked hard over summer and spring seasons and things are fitting together better for her now. She's not big, but she can handle herself against bigger kids in the middle based on her quickness and intelligence. She's going to be big player for us."

Sports Editor Bob Eley can be reached at beley@newsminer.com , sports@newsminer.com or 459-7581.