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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Life is hectic for two-sports stars

Idaho two-sport athlete Ali Forde enjoys the competition and preparation of volleyball and basketball so much that she refuses to concentrate on just one sport.   (University of Idaho)
Ali Forde didn’t want to choose between volleyball and basketball so she chose both. She knew becoming a two-sport athlete at Idaho would make for long, tiring days. Many have asked why she enjoys her hectic lifestyle, filled with conditioning, practices, travel, studying and not much time for anything else. “Yeah it’s not easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Forde, who starts for the Vandal volleyball and basketball teams. “I do it because I love both sports and I can’t choose between them. I love both equally.” Katelyn Peterson, Forde’s volleyball teammate, can relate. The junior outside hitter happens to be the WAC indoor and outdoor high jump champion. Community Colleges of Spokane outside hitter Jacy Vining understands, too. The sophomore from Colville is a team captain in volleyball and she won the NWAC javelin title last spring. And Whitworth starting middle blocker Haley Vick qualified for the NWC championships last spring in the shot put and hammer. Two-a-days can take on new meaning for two-sport standouts. “I know a lot of people can get burned out focusing on one sport so it definitely mixes it up,” Peterson said. “There are definitely a lot of days you have lifting and conditioning and you’re going from a volleyball individual session to a track practice and you’re changing from knee pads to your spikes.” College is no cakewalk. It’s the first time living on their own for many students, which brings additional responsibilities. Academics are demanding and then there’s finding time for a social life. Try mixing in two sports. Forde was so exhausted one day last year she dozed off in the bathtub. She eventually went to bed but slept through her alarm and missed half of a basketball practice. “Jacy still competed for us in spring but it was tough,” CCS volleyball coach Jenni Hull said. “One day we had a Gonzaga tournament. She played for a few matches and then had to hustle out to a track meet.” Peterson came to Idaho for volleyball with the possibility of track in the back of her mind. She was third on the team in kills in 2013 and cleared 5-10½ to win the outdoor title last spring. “When we finish volleyball we take a break for Christmas, about a month off,” she said. “Right after Christmas I start training for track and volleyball right away.” Vandal basketball has at least four games as volleyball is winding down. Forde concentrates on volleyball in season and tries to squeeze in basketball workouts when possible. Division I student-athletes are limited to four hours for sports per day, 20 hours per week. “At first I was like, ‘I don’t know how you’re going to do it,’ ” Peterson said of Forde. “But she can do it by the coaches really working with her schedule and she can be 100 places at once.” Forde said Idaho, BYU and UNLV were fine with her playing two sports. Other schools wanted Forde for one sport and withdrew their recruiting interest. Forde did the same: “The ones that didn’t recruit me for both I didn’t pay much attention to.” Playing two sports has benefits for each activity. “It does strengthen their competitive abilities and they’re pushing themselves and working different muscles,” Whitworth volleyball coach Kati Bodecker said. “Haley being able to have success in two different areas, it really helps build her confidence and teaches her how to be a successful.” Added Peterson: “With doing so much training, you have to be really dynamic in the high jump and use your arms. Learning better technique transfers over to volleyball and competing year round is a good mindset to have.” Forde said she’s improved her study habits from her early days in Moscow. She credits understanding coaches, professors, advisors and tutors but it’s still a grind now that she’s taking courses in her business economics major. “Eat dinner and I’ll be hitting the books (Monday night),” said Forde, a sophomore in volleyball and a junior in basketball. “I’ll be looking to go to bed early so I can catch up on some sleep before we leave (today on a road trip).” As for the possibility of dedicating herself to one sport, Forde said she doesn’t think about it but her dad, Brian, a former Washington State and NFL player, mentions it on occasion. “My dad has been trying to get me to specialize because he thinks I can get really good in one sport,” said Forde, whose brother, Maxx, is a defensive lineman on the UI football team. “But I guess I’m selfish in a sense because I love both sports. When he brings it up, I try to avoid the topic.”