Nome wins!

In dramatic fashion, the Nome Nanook Volleyball Team won its home opener against Kotzebue tonight. Led by this week's Captain RieAnn Fullwood, the girls battled back from a two game deficit to beat the Kotzebue Huskies three games to two.

The coach attributes conditioning, communication, and plain old-fashioned hard work to get the job done. The first game was very close, and I really think it could have been won. Jitters may have been a factor. The second game had the second lineup and although they got behind early 13-2, they managed to bring that game also to a close score.

The third game brought back the starting rotation and a fresh start. Powerful spikes and blocks by Christina Blandford and Brianne Wassman led the charge. Chelsea Weiss and Rachel Pomeranz showed style and grace in achieving success. Nina Hanebuth seemed to be the ace in the hole on many occasions. Kelly Wongitillin has a new nickname from the coach as she came in to help on serving--the Sniper. The third game went into extra time and the Nanooks pulled it out in the end.

The girls got behind again in the fourth game, as the starters wanted to stay in after the exciting third game. They rallied to bring the score close again, keeping another heart attack of a win in their pocket.

The fifth game is only played to 15 points, not 25. The fifth game got off to a fast start as the girls wound up 7 points up. The other team was tired and the Nanooks knew it. Even though with rally scoring the Kotzebue team brought it close, Nome was clearly headed for a great win as they stuck together and helped each other. The last three games were fantastic displays of great attitude. The girls did not give up and it showed at the end.

This coach could not be happier. (Although winning by such a close score may give him an ulcer, it is fun to watch.) The girls stuck by each other and did this. They have had such a positive attitude during practice that they knew it would transfer to the real game. The girls realize that the conditioning they have been subjected to, at 6 am no less, has really paid off. The drills have been fun and productive and they see how it transfers to the court. They were winners before they ever stepped onto the court this year. Now they are true winners.