(Fairbanks) - The UAF Nanooks women's volleyball team toppled their first Division-I foe in their first match of the 2004 Auto Service Company Nanook Classic, defeating Colgate University from Hamilton, New York.
UAF took the match in three straight by scores of 30-18, 30-11, and 30-26. In the first game, the Nanooks came out strong and played relatively error free, committing only three hitting errors for a stellar .361 team hitting percentage. The Raiders however, were hampered by numerous unforced errors, making nine hitting errors for a .026 attack percentage.
In game two, Colgate couldn't get their offense going, and as a result were -.038 for hitting percentage. UAF rallied off the Raiders' mistakes and minimized their own to dominate the game allowing their opponents only 11 points.
Colgate finally found some stable ground in the third game, and gave UAF a challenge, improving their hitting percentage by 300 points, to hit .256. The Nanooks remained cool and consistent and managed to thwart the Raiders efforts and post a three game sweep.
Sophomore Danielle Hitzeman had a double double, leading in kills with 16, to go with 11 digs, an ace, and a block. Outside hitter Crystal Wheelock had eight kills and eight digs. Seniors Mallory Bergstrom and Carlin Smith were steady for the Nanooks contributing seven and nine kills, respectively. In addition, Bergstrom led in digs with 14 and aces with six. April Blandford led in blocks with three, and she also added three aces and three kills. Freshman Mallory McCormick played a great match, hitting .455 by notching seven kills and only two errors.
Laurel Oliver and Natalie Rawson led the Raiders. Oliver had nine kills and a block, while Rawson led in digs with 14.
The Raiders fall to 0-1 and the Nanooks improve to 2-3 on the season. Tomorrow the Auto Service Company Nanook Classic continues with UAF facing the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) at 11 a.m., and Colgate taking on Sacramento State at 1 p.m. The evening matches conclude the Classic with Colgate taking on UMKC at 6:00 p.m. while the host Nanooks meet Sacramento State in the final event at 8:00 p.m.
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