Sisters woman in volleyball hall of fame

Janice (Opalinski) Harrer has been inducted into the California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame, securing her place among the all-time greats in the sport she helped pioneer.

At a formal induction ceremony held in Hermosa Beach on November 16, the Sisters resident was introduced by her longtime coach, Sharkie Zartman. "She was the best defensive player of her era," Zartman boasted, adding that in spite of her modest height (five-feet-seven-inches), she was a "pit bull" on the court.

Harrer was stunned when she learned she was to receive the hall of fame distinction.

"I was extremely honored to join this elite group of athletes," she said. "To receive this kind of recognition provides a deep sense of satisfaction ... satisfaction we don't always get this side of heaven."

Over a professional career that spanned 18 years, Harrer chalked up 25 pro titles. In 1990, the Women's Professional Volleyball Association recognized her as Best Defensive Player of the Year.

In what was the golden era of beach volleyball's emergence on the national scene, Harrer is considered a pioneer. In 1996, toward the end of her career, beach volleyball made its inaugural appearance as an Olympic sport. Harrer - by that time married and a mother - qualified as an Olympic alternate along with her partner, Gayle Stammer.

Her contemporaries view her success as going beyond the championships, magazine covers and corporate sponsorships. At the award ceremony, they praised her standout character, noting especially her integrity and self-discipline and stating that the hall of fame "just became a whole lot classier."

"I just about went to tears," said husband Tom Harrer.

Looking back, Janice Harrer cherishes one career highlight in particular, an unusual tournament in Tokyo, Japan, in 1990.

"My partner and good friend Lisa Strand and I teamed up in honor of a player who had just passed away," recalls Harrer. An outdoor court was erected in the streets of downtown Tokyo, and the final competition took place at night, drawing an enormous crowd. "Despite adversity and illness, we were able to prevail, upsetting the top seed. We not only received the biggest payday to date, $8,000 each, but we were draped in mink coats and pearl necklaces atop the podium!"

Harrer originally hails from San Juan Capistrano, California. She attended Cal State, Irvine, before making her home in Honolulu, Hawaii for 20 years. Five years ago, she and her husband, physical therapist Tom Harrer, relocated to Sisters.

Even here in Central Oregon, Harrer is often found with beach sand between her toes. For Mother's Day three years ago, Tom built a regulation sand volleyball court at their home.

Tom spent a few years on the pro beach tour as well. Janice and Tom met at a pro beach volleyball event in Miami Beach, Florida.

"As I reflect on all that volleyball brought to my life, there is no question that meeting my husband Tom has had the greatest impact," says Harrer.

For Janice, Tom and their kids - Hannah, 18, a freshman at Biola University, Justin, 15, and Hawley, 12 - volleyball is a family sport.

In addition to substitute teaching and working part-time for a local publishing company, Harrer also coaches the sport that holds a special place in her heart.

"I still love it as much as I ever did," she says.