Oct. 15, 2008
Box Score
ANCHORAGE, AK - Led by a career-high 20 kills from senior Korlyn Bolster, the Alaska Nanooks were able to stave off a relentless Alasak Anchorage Seawolf squad in the fifth set to pull out the 28-26, 25-16, 17-25, 25-27, 15-13 decision in front of 795 fans at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex Wednesday night.
Alaska looked as though they might pull out a three-set upset after taking the first two frames. UAA managed to erase the Nanooks' momentum by taking the third set, and then fought off a late comeback in Set 4 to even the match 2-2.
Again it looked as though the Nanooks were prepared to run away with the match they jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the fifth, but UAA would not go quietly, coming back to tie it at 10-10, 11-11, 12-12 and 13-13. Two kills from right side hitter Jessica Hill and Heather Lyons earned the Nanooks their second five-set win over UAA in three weeks and the second sweep of their archrivals in as many seasons. Alaska has defeated three of its last four opponents in the fifth set.
The Nanooks (13-5, 7-2) won their fourth straight match thanks to Bolster, who hit for a whopping .425 clip and dominated the net with eight blocks, and double-double performances from junior outside hitters Megan Thigpen (16 kills, 14 digs) and Heather Lyons (13 kills, 14 digs, 4 blocks). Nanook setter Alexa Sherman also tallied a double-double in the win with 55 assists and 10 digs.
UAA (12-10, 4-5 GNAC) got a match-high 29 kills from Rhea Cardwell and a double-double from senior outside hitter Joanna Johnson, who posted 15 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Cortney Lundberg had 10 kills and five total blocks for UAA, while setter Calli Scott had 56 assists for UAA.
Wednesday's match took on extra significance as the initial NCAA Div. II West Region rankings came out earlier in the day, featuring Alaska at No. 8 and UAA at No. 10. The top eight teams in the regional rankings advance to the NCAA Tournament at season's end.
The Blue and Gold will have the weekend off before going back on the road for matches Oct. 23 at Northwest Nazarene and Oct. 25 at Seattle Pacific.
