The Nome-Beltz High School volleyball team returned from Kotzebue this weekend, with varsity losing and JV splitting their games with the Huskies.
Coach Veronica Alviso says her girls have stayed positive despite mounting challenges and back-to-back losses.
“We’ve had a really tough season. We’ve had a lot of injuries. We’ve had a lot of girls having to step into roles that they’re not used to playing. So overall, I’m proud that they’re able to step in and do things that they might be a little bit uncomfortable doing.”
The injuries have caused some roster turnover, Alviso says, with JV players being moved up situationally to varsity.
“We’re starting to do some transitioning between bringing some people up from JV to play specific positions in varsity. Like I said, I think everyone’s just been positive and just going in there with a positive attitude which helps keep that energy on the floor and I think that that’s why we’re still able to stay competitive in our play.”
Clara Hansen, whose performance Alviso highlighted after the North-South Tournament in Seward earlier this month, has also sustained an injury.
“We had two setters and they play opposite each other, and we just had our primary setter, Clara, and she did injure her had. And so, we’re now having Ashleigh Minix step in and be the primary setter. So, Clara is still playing opposite her, she’s just not the primary setter at this point.”
Varsity volleyball lost to Kotzebue 0-3 on Friday and 1-3 on Saturday. JV lost 1-2 on Friday and defeated Kotzebue 3-1 on Saturday.
With these games behind them, the Nanooks look ahead to their match-up with Bethel this coming weekend.
Image at top: Lady Nanooks Volleyball Practice in 2019, courtesy of coach Veronica Alviso. Sourced with permission.
