Fairbanks’ varsity volleyball team is pictured from left, front row, Jayda Rausch, Brianna Bosworth, Dani Headings and Lizzie Nicol; second row, Anna Higbee, Olivia Vollrath, Elizabeth Green, Ellee Johnson, Kaelynn Sphapmixay; Sierra Pfarr and Grace Gorton; back row, head coach Ryanne Ufferman, Claudia Mueller, Caydee Breneman, Anna Mueller and assistant coach Lexi Jacobs. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Fairbanks High School volleyball squad had a great deal of success over the past five years under the guidance of head coach Ed Marsman.
Marsman retired after the 2019 campaign and has been replaced by Ryanne Ufferman.
Ufferman has had a good deal of success over the past few years as the head coach at Hilliard Bradley.
The new Lady Panther boss has a number of returning lettermen on her roster.
They include seniors Jayda Rausch (outside hitter), Lizzie Nicol (libero/defensive specialist), Brianna Bosworth (opposite player, who calls out opponents’ hitters on each play) and outside hitter Dani Headings.
Olivia Vollrath is the lone junior letter winner. She is a setter and defensive specialist.
Outside hitter Anna Higbee, a sophomore, is the team’s other letterman.
There are several newcomers to Ufferman’s varsity roster.
They include juniors Ellee Johnson (middle hitter), Sierra Pfarr (defensive specialist), Kaelyn Sphapmixay (OPP and setter) and OPP Lizzy Green.
Sophmore Caydee Brennan is a middle hitter and freshman Grace Gorton is an outside hitter and defensive specialist.
Both are new to the varsity level.
Ufferman was named the head coach this past spring.
She couldn’t, however, meet her squad until camp sessions began.
That was due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ufferman quickly learned what all new Fairbanks head coaches do… Panther athletes are eager to learn.
“The girls are very coaching,” she said.
Ufferman said the Lady Panthers’ defense has been improving during the preseason.
She also said the squad’s enthusiasm is growing and improvement has been seen during preseason scrimmages.
The biggest improvement is in the area of players moving without the ball.
“The girls are doing a good job of anticipating the movement of the ball,” said Ufferman.