The Alaska Nanooks handed Simon Fraser its first win since joining the GNAC on Saturday. The Nanooks lost 3-2 (25-20, 16-25, 23-25. 25-20, 11-15).
Simon Fraser started the season 0-10 (0-6 GNAC), but they did not look intimidated in Fairbanks. After dropping the first set, they led by as much as nine points four separate times in the second set.
The Nanooks looked strong in the first set and even stronger in the fourth set after losing two in a row. With their backs to the wall, the team took control of the set at 6-6 and never surrendered the lead. It was
Erica Gage who matched Simon Fraser at 6-6 with a kill—the first of three consecutive kills. The Nanooks 12 kills were aided by 10 Simon Fraser errors in the set.
The momentum built in the fourth set just was not enough to stop Simon Fraser. The Clan led by as much as five in the set and never surrendered the lead from the onset.
The Nanooks offense was led by Gage and
Marybeth Wikander, who each posted 13 kills.
Simone Chavous and
Tereza Bendlova each added another 11.
Mandy Grierson finished with 40 assists. The team tallied six service aces.
The defense was led by Grierson with 11 digs, and
Jordyn Montgomery finished with 10. Gage led with five blocks—one solo and four assists.
The Nanooks drop to 4-7 (2-3 GNAC) with Saturday's loss. They travel to Montana State-Billings Thursday and play again at home on Oct. 7 against Northwest Nazarene.
