No Roads. Just Planes. High School Volleyball in Alaska | Ep. 22

What if you had to board a plane every time your high school volleyball team traveled to an away game?

That's everyday life for volleyball players in Juneau, Alaska!

Coach Chijo takes the podcast onto a boat in beautiful Southeast Alaska for a conversation with Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears head coach Arnold Ibias and players Bree Powers and Nellie Stowers.

With only two teams in their conference and no roads connecting Juneau to other cities, traveling to compete is a major undertaking. The team flies across Alaska, sometimes stays overnight in school classrooms, and relies on community fundraising to support a volleyball budget of $65,000–$80,000.

The players share what it's like traveling almost every weekend, adjusting to life in Alaska, and building friendships through their unique experiences.

You'll also hear about the differences between volleyball in Hawaii and Alaska, the challenges of Alaska's long winters, what makes an athlete coachable, and Coach Chijo's approach to choosing team captains.

It's a conversation about volleyball, community, dedication, and the extraordinary experiences that come with playing sports in Juneau.

Just GO!