KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak High School Junior Isabelle Riina has made quite a splash in the statewide volleyball community. She starred on Kodiak’s record breaking varsity squad this fall and went on to be named the best defensive player in Alaska.
After that she was offered a position in Anchorage’s prestigious Midnight Sun Volleyball Club and has been traveling back and forth to the mainland for the past few months to participate in tournaments and games.
Now, Riina will compete on an international level this weekend when she takes the court at the Arctic Winter Games as part of Team Alaska. KMXT’s Brianna Gibbs caught up with the volleyball sensation and asked her how she first heard about competing in the games.
Riina joins two other Kodiak athletes heading to Fairbanks for the international competition. Freshman Krystal Fabricante and Junior Joel Valdez will compete in the wrestling portion of the games.
The Arctic Games start on Saturday and run through March 22. The games are a circumpolar sport competition that brings athletes from northern and arctic nations together to promote athleticism and culture. Wrestling and volleyball are two of of about 18 sports featured during the week-long event, including snowboarding, figure skating and cross country skiing, among others.
