NRHEG grad places in national tourney

STRONG SHOWING — Molly Hlebichuk, left, and Alexis Anderson, runners-up in the women’s B doubles division at the 68th National Handball Collegiate Tournament, proudly show their medals. (Submitted photo)

 

Alexis Anderson never expected to become a handball player.

But it’s safe to say she’s glad she did.

Anderson, a Minnesota State-Mankato University freshman and a 2019 graduate of NRHEG, competed in the 2020 National Handball Collegiate Tournament at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas on Feb. 19-23. Collegiate handball players representing 36 institutions from around the world participated in the five-day event.

Anderson, who participated in four sports at NRHEG, needed one more credit for her fall quarter at MSU and wanted to stay physically fit, so she decided to sign up for the handball course. Never having played handball, she was excited to try a new sport. When she attended the class, she found out she was the only girl. But that did not bother her. She was up for the challenge.

Anderson’s instructor and MSU’s handball coach, Dr. Michael Wells, saw her playing and was impressed with her skills and asked how long she had been playing handball. He was surprised to hear she had never touched a handball before. He encouraged her to join the MSU handball team and, with his continued persistence, he recruited her for the squad.

The team competed at the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, Missouri State University, University of Minnesota Classic, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Classic, Illinois State Singles, Lombard, IL and the Minnesota State Mankato Maverick Open before heading to the USHA Collegiate Nationals in Texas.

After agreeing to be on the team and just a few days of practice, Anderson competed for her first time and placed third, winning two of four matches and beating one of the top competitors.

In November 2019, Anderson teamed with Missouri State’s Kathy Taylor to capture the women’s B doubles consolation title.

At the Gopher Classic, Anderson and Kaitlyn Vomhof defeated first-year men players from the University of Minnesota. She made the finals of the bronze division at the Milwaukee Classic.

Anderson teamed with Molly Hlebichuk of Rochester to finish as runner-up in the women’s B doubles division at nationals, where MSU finished second as a team.

Handball is the oldest game played with a ball, the best all-around conditioner, according to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. It is a great sport because it develops both sides of the body and brain to aid in learning.

The game is not easy though, and the camaraderie is a result of the players knowing what their peers have gone through to reach any level of proficiency. The use of the off hand, the chasing of a ball traveling off walls and around a room at 80 mph requires the utmost in concentration and that’s what draws the game’s constituents back day after day for a refreshing workout. It has been said that handball draws the cream of the crop when it comes to athletes and society. 

When asked what she thought about handball, Anderson commented it was a fun experience. 

She liked having the individual control and whether she did good or bad it was all on her, and if she wanted to improve she had to work hard and figure out where her opponent’s strength and weakness were and adjust her play to beat the opponent.

Anderson has enjoyed working with Wells and appreciates all his support and enjoyed getting to know the team members. She really enjoyed the competitions and meeting the competitors from across the United States and Ireland.

“I am very happy Alexis has found a love for handball,” said Wells. “It is a great sport that not many know about. Handball is a way for students who were competitive in high school sports to continue to find a competitive outlet while at MSU. Alexis has worked hard on her handball skills and we are very proud of her. Handball is difficult at first as a new player learns to use BOTH hands! It was not easy to get to a national doubles final and a singles semifinal in her first collegiate national tournament. Alexis has the potential to be an All-American if she puts in the work.”

Anderson is working towards a marketing and health administration degree. She is the daughter of David and Heidi Anderson of rural Ellendale. Anderson was NRHEG’s 2019 Female Senior Athlete Award winner, the third in the Anderson family to receive the honor.

Anderson graduated with honors and was involved in volleyball, basketball, softball and one year in track. She was a strong competitor through the years, starting in third grade playing sports and attending extra camps in the summer, working in the weight room to become a stronger player. Several of the senior girls participated in sports from third grade through graduation together. During her high school years, her basketball team ended up with the conference championship and participated at the state level, winning a fifth-place finish. She was captain of volleyball, basketball and softball in her senior year.

Anderson was incredibly involved in school, participating in choir, student council, two years in National Honor Society, student ambassador, Prom Committee, YSL, TA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Homecoming Committee, Homecoming Royalty. She also worked picking rocks for farmers, at Hy-Vee, Casey’s, Dementia Unit at New Richland Care Center, lifeguard and waitress. This summer she is working at Bio Plastics Solutions in Ellendale and at Aldi’s in Owatonna.

Anderson’s aunt Kimberly (Anderson) Schneider graduated in 1988 from Ellendale-Geneva High School and was one of three to receive the 1988 Female Senior Athlete Award. Along with Kimberly was Tina (Wangness) Hagen and Wendy (Lerberg) Schultz. 

Schultz, who went on to coach Anderson in softball, said, “I think it's impressive that she is continuing to be competitive at the collegiate level. It's a great way to meet new people, travel to new places, and try new things. My understanding is that she had never tried handball before playing it in college. Congrats, Alexis!”

In 1993 Anderson’s aunt, Jill Anderson, was awarded the top Female Senior Athlete for NRHEG. Jill was also named the Player of the Year in the area newspapers. She was chosen a Minnesota All-State Team member. A four-sport athlete, Anderson capped her high school career by batting .563 and leading the Panthers to a 13-3 record and a share of the Gopher Conference championship. She struck out once in 48 at-bats. She was also a tough pitcher, going 12-3 with a 1.62 earned run average in 90 innings.

Anderson’s grandmother, Carol, and her husband Robert were school bus drivers for E-G and NRHEG and would drive to all the girls’ games.

Carol figured that was all over when her granddaughter Alexis graduated from NRHEG.

“Now I am watching handball,” she said. “So the fun continues.”