Prep volleyball preview: Houston optimistic

Aug. 27, 2006

By DARRELL L. BREESE/ Frontiersman

HOUSTON - As far as the upcoming girl's volleyball season is concerned at Houston High School, change is good and change is just what first-year head coach Christi Akelkok plans to bring to the Valley's lone Class 3A program.

With a new coaching staff, a talented group of players, new training methods and competition tactics, and an improved mentality, the team feels prepared to seize its goals this

season.

&#8220All you got to do is believe,” Akelkok said is the message to communicate to her team. &#8220I believe that we can compete with the other teams in the Valley, who cares if they are 4A schools. If the girls will believe in themselves, they don't have to be the underdogs anymore. They can compete with any team.”

Akelkok took over the team after coaching the junior varsity team for two season when head coach Kristen Hammers stepped down to have a child.

&#8220When she told me she wanted me to take over as head coach, I was scared,” Akelkok said. &#8220But then she told me to believe in myself and trust my abilities.

&#8220That sounded strangely familiar to me, a lot like what we've been telling the girls on the team.”

In addition to asking her team to believe she wants them to be motivated when they play.

&#8220That's our biggest point of emphasis,” she said. &#8220I want the team to be motivated and not hesitate.”

Akelkok hopes that, once the girls on the team can apply the principles of belief and motivation to their game, the Houston volleyball program will be challenging for championships.

The change in coaching styles caught sophomore Ariel Katzenberger a little off guard during the Hawks season opener Friday against Anchorage Christian School.

&#8220She told us to stop looking at the scoreboard and just play,” Katzenberger said. &#8220I was like, ‘Huh?' I guess she just wanted us to relax. Coach brings an understanding of the nature of the game, and what it takes to make it to the top of the

conference.”

According to Akelkok, the girls get scared when they fall behind. &#8220If I could take down the scoreboard, I would.”

Helping transform the Hawks is a team of four seniors and six sophomores, led by senior captains Caylee Redford and Dana Ranum.

Redford is a three-year starter for the Hawks and leads a well balanced starting front line. She plays outside hitter at the net along with sisters Ariel and Alana Katzenberger, who were also on the varsity team last year.

In addition to her captain duties, Ranum will be wearing two additional hats for the Hawks.

&#8220She'll be setting and playing outside for us this season,” Akelkok said of Ranum. &#8220Jessica (Kiser) and Kelsey (Thamm) will be sharing the setting duties with her.”

The coach and the team look forward to what they can accomplish this season.

&#8220I think we'll play more as a unit, we will have a defined style of play,” Ariel Katzenberger said. &#8220We need to be more competitive, and mentally prepared to deal with intense

competition.”

&#8220People can expect to see a fast game from us once the girls become comfortable with each other,” Akelkok said.

The Hawks will have a chance to test Akelkok's theory of being able to compete with the other Valley teams Tuesday when they play at Wasilla, game time is 7 p.m.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.