The Front Row with MARK NELKE Sept. 27, 2012

Anyssa Matheson said she wasn't even planning to play volleyball in college.

But, during her senior year at Coeur d'Alene High, she was spotted playing at a tournament in Las Vegas - and that's how she became a member of the Salt Lake Community College volleyball team.

Last Thursday night, in her return to North Idaho, she came off the bench and recorded eight kills as Salt Lake, which was ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA, knocked off then top-ranked NIC in Coeur d'Alene.

"I wasn't really planning on playing college volleyball, and (coach) Sue (Dulaney) saw me at a tournament in Vegas," Matheson said. "She called me up and told me she wanted me to play for them, so I decided, 'Why not.'"

"I wasn't even looking (at her)," Dulaney said. "I was watching some other kids and I saw her at a showcase. And I just liked her aggressiveness on the net. She wants to put the ball away. Some coaches can train that attitude, and maybe at a four-year (school) you can train that, but at a two-year (school) you have to come in with that."

The 5-foot-10 Matheson had seen some action off the bench with the Bruins in the early going. On Thursday night, with Salt Lake needing a lift off the bench at right side hitter, Dulaney called on Matheson - and the freshman delivered.

"I think in the beginning of the year there was a learning curve, because we do things differently," Dulaney said. "She's not a typical Utah kid, and in Utah those kids are coached a certain way in the clubs. I know she's got an arm, she can jump, and she's pretty efficient."

NOT VERY many North Idaho kids wind up going to junior college as far away as Salt Lake, but Matheson is glad she did.

"I love it," Matheson said of Salt Lake City. "It's the most amazing place. And it's the most amazing place to play, too."

She was obviously happy to be home last week. A boisterous group of family and friends came to Christianson Gym to cheer her on, and she was all smiles as Salt Lake recovered after a slow start to win — and she had a hand in it.

“It’s been great getting to meet (her family) and know them and see part of her life here as well,” Dulaney said. “So, the team’s really embraced it, and they see a side of Anyssa that they don’t get to see in Salt Lake.”

Matheson lives in Worley, but made the half-hour commute each day to attend Coeur d’Alene High all four years of high school. She said she chose to do that, rather than attend nearby Lakeside High in Plummer, at first for academic reasons, and later for athletic reasons.

WITH FOUR of the six Scenic West teams ranked in the top 16 last week, Dulaney and Salt Lake know better than to relax after one big conference win on the road. On Saturday, Salt Lake won the first two games at CSI before losing in five in Twin Falls.

“This is a dogfight in this conference,” Dulaney said. “You know what, this conference isn’t for the weak-hearted at all.”

For NIC, which came back to beat No. 16 Snow on Saturday, the loss to Salt Lake was hopefully just a bump in the road for the Cardinals. It came in the Scenic West Athletic Conference opener, and there are eight more matches left (including a return trip to Salt Lake, and two matchups with No. 4 College of Southern Idaho) before the Region 18 tournament, which will be hosted by the SWAC champion. CSI, which beat Snow last Thursday at home, has the early conference lead at 2-0.

“It just means if we want the opportunity to host (the Region 18 tournament), we have to pick it up right now and start improving every day in practice,” NIC coach Kandice Gregorak said.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.