by Katie Writer – KTNA
Susitna Valley High School Girls Volleyball has been on the road for a series of away games.
In Alaska, that means that they have been on airline flights to remote places like Unalaska and a 3 hour ferry ride to Cordova. The other teams have to travel back and forth as well, and it becomes quite a logistic juggling act for all of the coaches, players and parents.
This week, a weather delay kept the team in Unalaska for another night. They were only home for two nights before heading out again to Cordova for Regionals. Their bags are packed with pillows, sleeping bags, school books, and their gear. One may not think of how many traveling tips coach Chad Valentine offers to his players. For example, he suggests that they put their playing gear in their carry-on bags so it does not risk getting lost in their checked luggage. He also offers a whole list of considerations for travel, including Dramamine for motion sickness. The bottom line is that these girls are not only learning how to play volleyball, they are learning life skills of traveling.
The time they spend in the gym practicing and playing matches may actually be surpassed by the time that they are traveling. There is a high standard for maintaining good grades. Thus, time management and studying while on the road, in the air, or on the ferry is critical for the success of the volleyball program. Perhaps having this tightly run schedule gives them important focusing skills that will benefit them beyond their high school years.
The camaraderie among the team may be one of the greatest benefits of playing high school sports.
This season for the Susitna Valley Rams has included some home matches where they get to host other teams that have also traveled from afar.
This 2018 Volleyball season results are as follows:
10/11/18 Su Valley 3-0 win against Lumen Christi (away game)
10/12/18 Su Valley 0-3 loss against Cook Inlet Academy (home game)
10/19/18 Su Valley 0-3 loss against Cordova (away game)
10/23/18 Su Valley 3-0 win against Birchwood (home game)
11/8-10/18 Su Valley one win against King Cove and one loss against King Cove in Unalaska.
