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Alaska Nanooks volleyball coach Phil Shoemaker went for some versatility in landing his second recruit for the 2008 season.

Shoemaker announced Thursday that outside/middle hitter Marybeth Wikander of Beaverton, Ore., has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Nanooks this fall.

The 5-foot-9 Wikander was a four-year letterwinner at Valley Catholic High School. She also has five years of experience at the club level for a trio of teams in Oregon.

“Besides her physical athletic talents, I am most impressed with her versatility, determination and work ethic,” Shoemaker said in a press release. “She is a solid performer who possesses ‘Big Play’ potential.”

Wikander led her team to a 16-14 overall record in 2007 and a 10-4 mark in the West Valley Conference. She earned all-conference first team honors and was named to the all-state first team.

She was Valley Catholic’s Most Valuable Player the past two seasons and she was all-conference first team pick as a junior. She also is a two-year letterwinner in track and field where she competes in hurdles, javelin, high jump and triple jump.

Shoemaker said he plans to play Wikander on the right side.

“I see her training primarily on the right side, but no position is beyond her ability,” Shoemaker said.

Wikander plans to major in biology with the idea of a pursuing a career in physical therapy once her college career is over.

Wikander joins Simone Chavous of Aurora, Colo., in Shoemaker’s 2008 recruiting class.