Sept. 22, 2006
Box Score
MONMOUTH, OR - Facing a two-game deficit, the Alaska Nanooks rebounded to capture game three from the Western Oregon Wolves, but their comeback fell short as they were defeated in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Thursday night, 30-28, 30-28, 26-30, 30-24.
Alaska falls to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in the GNAC, while WOU improves to 4-11 and 2-3 in the conference.
Freshman middle turned outside hitter, Megan Thigpen (Spokane, WA) led the Nanooks with 17 kills, 13 digs and three service aces. Junior co-captain Jenna Jones (Fairbanks, AK) also turned in a double-double performance in the losing effort, notching 10 kills and 10 digs. Junior co-captain Jessica King (Hailey, ID) led defensively with 18 digs and freshman setter Alexa Sherman (Calabasas, CA) dished 44 assists.
In game one, the Wolves jumped out to an early 8-3 lead and never trailed until the Nanooks inched back in and tied the game at 25-25. Three consecutive WOU attack errors gave Alaska a 28-25 lead, but the Wolves then rallied at the net, scoring the final five points of the game--including three points at the net with the blocking combos of Martini, Jenkins and Lisa Tedder to make it 30-28.
Game two was very similar, with the hosts leading by as many as six points (19-13), only to see the Nanooks rally to tie things up at 26-26. Alaska then took the lead on an ace by Katrina Jensen (Federal Way, WA), but the Wolves then came back on kills by Keyanna Jenkins and Laura Sakala (28-28), followed by back-to-back attack errors by Fairbanks. Sakala had six kills in game two, as the Wolves won 30-28.
WOU dashed out to a 5-1 lead in game three, but Alaska then took over, leading by as many as seven points late in the contest. The Wolves staged a brief rally late in the set, by the Nanooks stayed alive with a 30-26 win.
Both teams traded points early in game four, before the Wolves took over, leading from the midway point of the match until the end (30-24).
Play at the net was big in Alaska's downfall, as it was outhit by the Wolves .205-.153 and outblocked 10-5.
For the Wolves Sakala led with 15 kills, while Jenkins added 14, Lisa Martini had 13 and Katrina Johnson had 11. Jessica Baty led the match defensively with 24 digs.
The Nanooks continue their GNAC schedule Saturday evening, when they visit Lacey, WA to face Saint Martin's University at 6 p.m. AST.
