Oct. 30, 2008
Box Score
Fairbanks, AK - The Alaska Nanooks stood toe to toe with the No. 24 ranked Western Oregon Wolves through the first two sets, but eventually fell short losing in three (25-18, 30-28, 25-14).
Senior middle blocker Korlyn Bolster (Guerneville, CA) led the way for the Nanooks with 18 kills with an impressive hitting percentage (.464). Junior outside hitter Megan Thigpen (Spokane, WA) also had a solid game for the blue and gold, checking in with a double-double. She finished the game with ten kills and 11 digs.
After the Wolves took the first set 25-18, the two teams went back and forth during the second set. As the set came to a close, and each team right there for the victory, the Nanooks had an opportunity to gain set point twice. However, they shot themselves in the foot with two service errors into the net. Those plays seemed to halt momentum and let the Wolves climb back even. Western shut the door on Alaska with their set point opportunity, ending it a 30-28 victory to go up 2-0.
That ending of the second set seemed to discourage the Blue and Gold as they had a lackluster performance in the third set. The Wolves dominated from start to finish and wrapped up a decisive 3-0 victory.
The Wolves were paced by outside hitter Stacey Bennett (11 kills) libero Danielle English (14 digs), and setter Amy Herron (21 assists).
With the loss, the Nanooks fall to 14-7 overall and 8-4 in GNAC. The conference leading Wolves improved their record to 17-2 overall and stellar 10-1 in conference.
The Nanooks resume play this Saturday in another critical conference game as Saint Martins pays a visit to the Patty Center. In their previous match up this year, Alaska defeated Saint Martins in comeback fashion in 5 sets (18-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-8). Saturdays match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
