Carla Feathers wouldn’t let the volleyball touch the hardwood of Tecumseh Hall at Haskell Indian Nations University. She dove, with two hands sprung forward in the air, until the outside hitter was parallel with the floor. The ball flew over the net – point saved.

Feathers visibly paid for her effort. She was left with a red bruise on her right side.

And this was only practice.

Feathers, along with eight other women, will represent the first team that Kansas has ever sent to the North American Indigenous Games. The games are scheduled from July 2-8 in Denver.

The NAIG, which will have 16 athletic competitions in July, are an opportunity for Native Americans to showcase their abilities against high-quality competition, said Jason Machado, public affairs specialist for the Colorado Indigenous Games Society.

Machado said there were currently nine adult-division female volleyball teams registered. That number could change, leading up to July.

Outside hitter Carla Feathers smiles at her teammates Wednesday at Haskell Indian Nations University. Feathers will play and coach for Team Kansas in the North American Indigenous Games, which begin July 2 in Denver.

Feathers, who will be Team Kansas’ player/coach, held tryouts in February in Mayetta and Lawrence. She had about 20 women try out for the team, but only eight made it. All eight of the players live in Lawrence. Feathers said she wasn’t concerned about the low numbers of the finalized roster.

“None of us want to sit on the bench,” Feathers said. “I’m not going to take a bunch of girls who aren’t going to play.”

Feathers has a history of winning at the NAIG. She won the gold medal with Team Colorado in 1997. She said she’d wanted to go back ever since.

To prepare for competition, Team Kansas practices from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and participates in various scrimmages in Lawrence.

Deborah Butler, Team Kansas right side hitter, said the team has prepared specifically for playing in Colorado’s high altitude. She said the most effective workouts to prepare for the elevation have been running in the pool and interval training, which keeps her heart rate up.

The team practiced short-handed with six players on June 14. Kayla Clark, Team Kansas outside hitter, showcased her talent serving the ball that night. She had a routine where she intensely bounced the ball with both hands before serving. The amount of times she bounced the ball varied from eight to 10. Clark said she served the ball in this fashion for psychological reasons and would use the tactic in Denver.

Team Kansas defensive specialist Shawna Douma helps up player/coach and outside hitter Carla Feathers during practice at Haskell Indian Nations University's Tecumseh Hall. The team will compete in the North American Indigenous Games, which begin July 2 in Denver.

“It takes attention away from the opponent, so they’re thinking I’m dribbling, but really, I’m trying to pinpoint where the weak spots are,” Clark said.

At 19, Clark is the youngest player on Team Kansas. Even though Clark is playing in the adult division, which is 20+, players are only eligible to move up in age group.

Team Kansas set a goal of raising $15,000 to travel to Denver. The team has currently raised more than $7,400. Feathers estimated it would cost each person $900 for registration, uniforms, meals and a hotel for the week.

If the June 14 practice is any indication of how Feathers will play in Colorado, Team Kansas has a player/coach who will sacrifice her body several times throughout the games in Denver.

Feathers hit the floor eight times during the practice. She immediately got up after each fall.

“It hurts afterwards, but when we’re playing, it’s like it disappears,” Feathers said. “I think we’re all pretty competitive at heart.”