Anchorage Daily News

When Jordan Pokryfki graduated from Colony High in 2006, she left as one of the best volleyball setters in the Valley, if not the state.

But she was ambivalent about playing in college. She posted a profile on a recruiting Web site but only got a few nibbles from interested colleges. She applied to several Division II schools with an eye on academics instead of volleyball, because she didn't think she'd play much at that level.

It seemed her career was over.

Then Pokryfki got a call from Bob Weiner, coach of the Keene State College volleyball team in Keene, N.H., wondering if she had signed with anyone.

Weiner had contacted her before, but she wasn't interested. Now she thought about it. New Hampshire? Why not?

Pokryfki took a chance on the Division III school and, boy, have things worked out.

"It was a last-minute decision," Pokryfki said. "I figured it'd be fun and low-key and not as stressful as playing Division II. It's the best decision I could've made."

Early this month, Pokryfki broke the career assists record at Keene -- as a junior. She has more than 2,500 assists and holds school records for assists in a game (61) and a season (1,358).

She has helped the Owls to a 9-4 record heading into this weekend. Last week, she was named Little East Coast Conference offensive player of the week after earning MVP honors at the Johnson and Wales University Tournament in Providence, R.I.

Pokryfki averaged 37 assists in four matches to help the Owls win the tournament championship.

How does Pokryfki rack up so many assists?

As Pokryfki modestly tells it, it has more to do with circumstances than anything else.

The Owls run a 5-1 offense, meaning they use one setter instead of two. That means Pokryfki touches the ball on just about every play.

It helps that the Owls possess plenty of great hitters, so her touches more often than not end up as points for her team and assists for her.

"That makes it a lot easier to look good," she said.

Pokryfki was at first nervous to go across the country for school. She has no family living on the East Coast, no friends nearby. But she found the thought of being on her own liberating. At many West Coast colleges, she said, the Alaskans stick together.

"I was forced to become an independent, outgoing person," she said. "I am already, but I was nervous and kind of excited. It was something completely different."

Find Ron Wilmot online at adn.com/contact/rwilmot or call 352-6712.

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