May 1, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK - University of Alaska Fairbanks volleyball coach Phil Shoemaker announced today that Marybeth Wikander, a senior outside/middle hitter at Valley Catholic High School in her hometown Beaverton, Oregon has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Nanooks.

"Marybeth is a highly talented student-athlete," said Shoemaker. "Besides her physical athletic talents, I am most impressed with her versatility, determination and work ethic. She is a solid performer, who possesses `Big Play' potential."

The 5-foot-9 Wikander was a four-year letterman and two-time captain for the Valiants volleyball team, which finished the 2007 season with a 16-14 Class 3A record and 10-4 mark in the West Valley Conference.

As a senior at VCHS, Wikander garnered West Valley League first team honors and received first team all-state. A two-time MVP for the Valiants, she was also a conference first team selection as a junior. Her prep career highlights include starting at outside hitter on the Valiants' 2005 team that captured the Tri-Valley League title. Wikander was also a two-year letterman on the VCHS Track and Field team, competing in hurdles, javelin, high jump and triple jump.

Wikander brings five years of club experience to the court. In that time, she has played for three teams, spending the last year and a half with Portland Volleyball Club. This year she was named the Global Challenge's Best Spiker.

Shoemaker plans for Wikander to play right side. "I see her training primarily on the right side, but no position is beyond her ability."

An intended biology major at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Wikander aspires to eventually pursue a doctorate in the medical field and a career in physical therapy.

She joins Simone Chavous (Aurora, Colorado) in the 2008 recruiting class.