by Greg Lincoln
In 1997-98 the Alakanuk Braves were the runners up in the Mix Six state volleyball tournament. That year was the beginning of Mixed 6 – a coed sport – and only four teams qualified to go to state. The next year Alakanuk placed 3rd. White Mountain took first and Nondalton was the runner up.
Throughout the years from 1997 to 2008, Mixed 6 teams from the YK delta region would continue to participate and play at the state tournaments.
Chevak placed 4th in 2000 and again in 2001, Kwethluk took 6th in 2001 and 3rd in 2002, Marshall placed 3rd in 2004, Russian Mission placed 5th and Kwethluk took 7th in 2005, Russian Mission took 4th in 2006 and Kwethluk placed 7th.
In 2007 Russian Mission Raiders won the state Mixed 6 tournament, the first time a Yukon Delta team won the state crown. Akiak and Mt. Village tied for 7th that year.
In 2008 Russian Mission placed 6th and Akiuk and Mt. Village tied for 7th.
YK delta teams also won four sportsmanship awards in the early years of 1998-2008: Alakanuk 1998, Chevak 2000, Kwethluk 2005, and Russian Mission 2006.
“By 2002, the popularity of this new format (Mixed 6) increased to the point that eight teams qualified out of six conferences,” wrote the Alaska Schools Activities Association (ASAA).
Here are the records for 2009-2023:
Kwethluk: 5th 2009
Marshall: 7th 2009
Russian Mission: 7th 2009, 7th 2010
Aniak: 2nd 2010, 11th 2016, 9th 2017, 3rd 2022, 9th 2023
Andreafski: 7th 2010
Kalskag: 4th 2011, 7th 2013
Chevak: 7th 2012
Hooper Bay: 7th 2014
Akiuk: 11th 2015, 12th 2017, 7th 2018, 9th 2019
Akiachak: 12th 2015
Alakanuk: 7th 2016, 7th 2017, 9th 2019, 7th 2020
Atmautluak: 12th 2016
Kalskag: 9th 2018, 3rd 2019, 5th 2020, 4th 2021
St. Mary’s: 9th 2018
Emmonak: 5th 2021, 5th 2022
Toksook Bay: 7th 2021
Tuntutuliak: 9th 2023
Scammon Bay: 9th 2023
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Teams headed to state this week include the Aniak Halfbreeds, the Nelson Islanders of Toksook Bay, and the Emmonak Huskies. They will be joining the Nunamiut Wolves of Anaktuvuk Pass, the Buckland Belugas, Shaktoolik Wolverines, Kodiak ESSS, Gustavus Golden Gusties, Tanalian Lynx of Port Alsworth, the Kake Thunderbirds, the Tikigaq Harpooners, and the White Mountain Wolves.
They will be playing at the Palmer High School, hosted by ASAA.
The Emmonak Huskies took first place at the Yukon River 1A Conference Mix 6 volleyball tournament. Coming in second were the Chevak Comets. The academic award and sportsmanship award went to the Alakanuk Braves.
