FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After completing its longest home stand of the season, the Alaska volleyball team heads out on perhaps its toughest road trip of the season – traveling to No. 7-ranked Western Washington Thursday before crossing the Canadian border to take on Simon Fraser.
The Nanooks (3-15, 2-5 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) went 1-2 in their recent three-match home stand, defeating Western Oregon for the first time in four years in the middle while falling in three sets to Saint Martin's and arch-rival Alaska Anchorage to bookend the stretch.
Senior outside hitter
Keri Knight was named GNAC Red Lion Co-Offensive Player of the Week during the home stand after notching 26 kills and hitting .357 against Saint Martin's and Western Oregon Oct. 3 and 5. Knight has been on a roll during the last month, tallying at least seven kills in nine straight matches and raising her season hitting percentage from .066 to .196 – a 130-point increase.
The Nanooks had mixed hitting results during their home stand, both offensively and defensively. They posted their second-highest hitting percentage of the season (.327) against Western Oregon, but hit below .200 in losses to Saint Martin's and Alaska Anchorage. They held the Wolves and Saints to hitting percentages of .226 and .219, respectively, but allowed a GNAC match record .547 hitting percentage against the Seawolves.
Alaska is 2-1 this season when hitting .250 and above, and 0-11 when allowing opponents to hit .250 or better. All three of the Nanooks' wins this season have come when they led in attack percentage.
Match #19: Alaska at Western Washington – Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. (AKDT)
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The Vikings (13-1, 6-0 GNAC) look to extend their 16-match home winning streak this weekend. Western Washington remained at No. 7 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Top 25 after gaining two spots in each of the previous four weeks. Western Washington has won its first six GNAC matches, and has won in three-set sweeps for 12 of its 13 wins this season.
The Vikings have five players averaging over two kills per set. They are Kayla Erickson (3.68), Kelsey Moore (2.71), Jennica McPherson (2.64), Emily Boerger (2.52) and Rachel Roeder (2.11). McPherson also is averaging 2.68 digs and has served a team-leading 19 aces. Boerger tops WWU in blocks, averaging 1.16 and Erickson is second at 1.14.
Match #20: Alaska at Simon Fraser – Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. (AKDT)
Important Links:
LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO
The Clan (7-5, 2-4 GNAC) earned a split on last week's GNAC road trip to Western Oregon and Saint Martin's, and is 2-2 in its last four GNAC matches. Simon Frasaer defeated the Wolves 3-1 on Thursday before being swept by the Saints on Saturday. The team's only matches against NCAA Division II teams this season have come during conference play.
The Clan's offense is powered by Kelsey Robinson, who is averaging 3.32 kills per set (146 total kills) and has notched seven service aces – fifth-best on the team. Robinson is also second on the team with 126 digs, a category led by Alanna Chan with 158. The Clan has stayed close to its opponents in hitting percentage this season, holding them to a .178 clip while hitting .171 themselves.
