Panthers will seek kills in the Klondike

Eastern’s volleyball team will travel to Alaska Tuesday to enjoy long days and short nights, during the Nanook Classic Tournament.

The Panthers are looking forward to being the first team at Eastern to compete in Fairbanks, Alaska.

“This will be a great opportunity for student athletes to go to a place such as Alaska,” head coach Brenda Winkeler said.

The team will head for Alaska Tuesday and will return the following Tuesday.

An entourage of 50 people, including the team, coaches, administrators, media and parents will all take about a seven-hour plane ride and an eight hour train ride to Fairbanks.

All will have a chance to enjoy Alaskan culture, while competing or watching the women compete. The tournament begins Friday, September 7 against Navy; the winner will face Maine or Fairbanks.

The Panthers are visiting at the tailend of the tourist season, which will allow them enjoy Alaska without the hustle and bustle of tourism. They are scheduled to visit a museum, go on a riverboat tour and gold mining.

Last year Eastern Kentucky participated in the tournament and indicated it was a great experience, which gave Winkeler the idea of participating this season.

“This will be a great opportunity to play different competition outside of conference,” she said. “It will also be a great educational experience.”

The team is extremely excited and believes the trip will give it a chance to see opponents they don’t get to see on a regular basis and also give the team an opportunity to bond.

“Alaska is not the typical vacation spot like Hawaii or Jamaica, so I am really excited to go,” senior Carrie Stevens said.

Once the team arrives in Alaska it will have some sort of physical activity the same day and will resume regular practice Thursday and Friday.

Athletic Director Rich McDuffie believes the trip will raise the overall image of the program.

“Any time we have the ability to send teams to special places like Alaska its an advantage,” he said.

Expenses for the trip were provided through the team budget, Fairbanks and fundraising. Less than half of the trip’s expenses were covered by the athletic department.