FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A weekend removed from notching its first home victory of the season, the Alaska women's volleyball team travels to down to Idaho and Washington this weekend for a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchups.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Nanooks (2-13, 2-5 GNAC) will be in Nampa, Idaho, as they face Northwest Nazarene (7-5, 4-3 GNAC) at 5 p.m. at the Johnson Sports Center. Two day later (Oct. 8), the team hits the court with Central Washington (9-6, 3-4 GNAC) in Ellensburg, Wash., at 6 p.m. inside Nicholson Pavilion.
Last week, Alaska went 1-1 at the Patty Center with a 3-2 victory over Montana State-Billings, followed by a 3-0 defeat to then No. 15 Seattle Pacific.
In Thursday's win over the Yellowjackets, several Nanooks put up either season or career numbers.
Junior outside hitter
Reilly Stevens (Riverside, Calif./Fullerton JC) fell one kill and one dig short of tying her career high with a team-high 16 kills, along with 19 digs. Sophomore outside hitter
Keri Knight (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) chipped in a career-high 14 kills and had a .310 attack percentage, also a career-best. Junior libero
Allison Oddy (Chilliwack, British Columbia/Highroad Academy) had a season-high 30 digs, while freshman setter
Becky Martin (Cochrane, Alberta/Bow Valley) totaled 47 assists, 13 digs and four kills, all career-highs.
Live stats and free live video will be available for both matches.
Northwest Nazarene Live Stats
Central Washington Live Stats
Live Video
History Against the Crusaders
Heading into Thursday evening's matchup, the all-time series is tied at 11-11. Last season, NNU went 2-0 against Alaska with a five-set victory in Fairbanks on Oct. 7, 2010, and a sweep in Nampa on Nov. 6, 2010. Since 2008, all six meetings have either been sweeps or five setters.
History Against the Wildcats
Central Washington leads Alaska all-time 18-11 in a series that dates back to 1980. Last season, the two teams each picked up a win at home, with the Nanooks taking a 3-0 decision on Oct. 9, 2010, and the Wildcats claiming a 3-0 victory on Nov. 4, 2010. Like with Northwest Nazarene, the six matches played between the two squads over the last three years have either been sweeps or five setters.
