Oct. 9, 2008
Box Score
FAIRBANKS, AK - It was a historic night for the Alaska Nanooks as they honored head coach Phil Shoemaker with his 100th win by sweeping the visiting Central Washington Wildcats for the first time in seven years and just the second time in the all-time series history.
The only other time the Blue and Gold took the Wildcats down in three straight sets was during Shoemaker's second season at the helm for Alaska on Nov. 10, 2001. The win snapped Alaska's 10-match winless skid against Central Washington and improved its home record to 6-3.
The Nanooks came out strong in the first set, but the 'Cats managed to keep it close, fighting point-for-point. Junior outside hitter Megan Thigpen helped Alaska make a run, with four big serves to make it 16-11, but CWU would use runs by Maggie Olson and Kayla Roof to close the gap to 23-20. It looked as though CWU would make a push, when an attack error by Heather Lyons put them down by one. However, a kill from Jessica Hill and a Wildcat attack erro secured the first set for the Blue and Gold, 25-22.
In the second set the teams continued to fight tooth and nail keeping it close up through mid-way in the set. Solid serving by Hill, Lyons and Sherman put the Nanooks up 21-14. CWU again responded with an onslaught of their own, pulling to 24-20, before a booming kill by Hill sent the teams to the lockerrooms.
The Wildcats came back from the intermission eager to erase their deficit as they took command from the first serve. A substitution in favor of freshman outside hitter Simone Chavous gave Alaska new life, as the rookie served four straight points to even the score at 8-8. From there the Nanooks held their own with their guests and rallied behind a string of serves by Sherman late in the set to take the lead for good at 19-18. Sticking with what worked in the first two sets, the Nanooks dished the ball to Kill, who put it away to secure the historic victory.
Thigpen garnered Toyota Player of the Match honors with 10 kills, 11 digs, two aces and two blocks for her sixth double-double of the season and third in the last three matches. Middle hitter Korlyn Bolster notched 10 kills, while Hill had nine with just two errors on 23 attempts for a .304 clip to go with nine digs a block and a service ace. Sherman led the match with 43 assists and Lyons led Alaska's backcourt with 12 digs.
The Wildcats were led by Rachel Schurman with nine kills and Maggie Olson with 10 digs and 20 assists.
Alaska hosts the undefeated #3 Western Washington Vikings, who topped Alaska Anchorage in four sets (3-1) Thursday night, Saturday evening at the Patty Center. First serve is 7 p.m.
