Aug. 26, 2007
Box Score
The Alaska Nanooks may have worn out their welcome at the Hawaiian Style Classic. In their final game in the Aloha State, the Blue and Gold decisively knocked off their hosts, University of Hawaii at Hilo, by a 3-1 margin. The Nanooks leave Hawaii with an impressive 3-1 record, having lost only to Chaminade in Friday's afternoon game.
Avoiding one of the flaws that plagued them in their one tournament loss (a slow start), the Nanooks came out sharp on Saturday, taking the first game by a 30-20 margin. Down 19-17 at one point in the game, Alaska, behind the steady serving of Alexa Sherman and Megan Thigpen, stepped up when it mattered most, outscoring their opponents 13-1 to snatch the game from the Vulcans' grasp.
"Any time you are on the other team's home court, it's important to create that little bit of doubt in their mind," said head coach Phil Shoemaker. "Winning that first game is big anytime, but in some ways it's bigger to win it on the road than at home."
The Vulcans answered back, however, capitalizing on Alaska's errors to take the second game, 30-25. For the Nanooks, a repeat of Friday night's five-set thriller against Texas Woman's University seemed on the cards.
The Blue and Gold kept their nerve, however, and regained their momentum at the beginning of the third game. Leading by as many as eight at one point, Alaska held off a late Hawaii Hilo charge to take an important set, 30-26.
Not wanting to be undone in front of their home crowd, the Vulcans stepped their game up, and appeared to be in control of the fourth game, establishing a 19-15 lead. The exhausted Nanooks, however, found a way to fight back. With a late rally, behind three service aces from senior Jenna Jones and three kills from outside hitter Jessica Hill, Alaska clinched the fourth and final game, 30-25.
"It was a really hotly contested match in a really warm gym," said Shoemaker. "The kids really played hard and showed a lot of character. It was a good win against a good team."
One area of drastic improvement for the Nanooks came from the service line. Alaska finished the night with 12 aces, six of which came during the crucial fourth game.
"[The aces] were really a big key," said Shoemaker. "We were down and tired, so they really helped us to suck it up and go. We played with a lot of heart down the stretch."
Once again, Thigpen (19 kills) and Hill (17 kills, .333 hitting percentage) played key roles in Alaska's success. Afterwards, the two sophomores were named to the Hawaiian Style Classic All-Tournament Team. Setter Alexa Sherman also had a big night for the Nanooks, coming up with 52 assists and a team-high four aces.
"It was a very good trip: we took a big step forward as a team," said Shoemaker. "Every time we go out there, we will learn more about ourselves and what we need to improve on. Playing tournament matches like this only adds to the process: you can't help but grow."
Alaska returns to the Patty Center for their regular season home-opener against Armstrong Atlantic on Tuesday, Aug. 28. First serve in that match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
