Oct. 12, 2007
Final Stats
FAIRBANKS, AK- The Nanooks fell to 1-2 on their current homestand, as they were outmuscled by Central Washington in four games, (30-21, 27-30, 30-26, 30-26). Alaska drops to an even .500 on the year (9-9), and slides to 3-7 in the GNAC. With the win, Central jumps into fourth place in the conference, boasting a 6-4 GNAC mark and a 7-12 overall record.
While the Blue and Gold took a brief lead early in the first game, Central quickly showed why they are perennial GNAC powerhouses. Alaska's attackers just could not seem to get a shot by Fairbanks' own Erika Stevens, who logged six digs in the first game alone. The Nanooks hit just .175 in opening frame, while Central smashed an excellent .515, recording 18 kills with just one error in taking the first game, 30-21.
The Nanooks refused to roll over on their own floor, however, and quickly came back to snatch the second set, 30-27, albeit not without a touch of controversy. With the Wildcats leading 17-14, junior Kayla Roof was whistled for an illegal serve, giving Alaska a valuable sideout despite the complaints of coach Mario Andaya. From there, the Blue and Gold went on an 11-5 run, establishing control of the game and leveling the match.
Both teams knew the third game would be vital, and the intensity showed as the set produced some of the best volleyball of the match. Central Washington rode the powerful serving of sophomore Erin Norris to a 17-10 lead before the Nanooks stormed back to level the game at 23-23. Despite a number of long, hard-fought rallies, Alaska could not keep the Wildcats at bay, and a Norris kill sealed the game 30-26.
The Blue and Gold stayed with the Wildcats throughout most of the fourth game, until a Central run (keyed once again by the serving of Norris) put the visitors out of reach. Alaska took four of the last five points to stir hopes of an improbable comeback, but a Bree Brandt smash put the match away, 30-26.
Senior Jessica King led the Nanooks attack with 14 kills, while Megan Thigpen and Korlyn Bolster connected for 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Alaska also rang up 10 aces on the night, including three apiece for Jessica Hill and Alexa Sherman.
For the Wildcats, Rachael Schurman recorded a match-high 18 kills, while Norris had 15 kills to go with four aces and seven blocks. Stevens, a Lathrop High graduate, marshaled a well-organized Central Washington defense, logging 23 digs.
Alaska concludes its four-match homestand with a crucial match-up against GNAC co-leaders Western Washington. First serve at the Patty Center will be hit at 7:00 p.m.
